Chessy
The Old Sicilian: 3.d4 – How to Play It as Black
The Sicilian Defense is one of the most respected answers to 1.e4, and the Old Sicilian line with 3.d4 is where the real fight begins. After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4, you reach a critical crossroads: White has several ways to recapture, and your response will shape the entire game. The engine gives White a small edge here (+0.35), meaning you are slightly worse as Black, but the statistics from over 22 million games tell a much more optimistic story — Black wins 47.3% of the time, nearly evening the score. This page will show you which White moves are dangerous, which ones are gifts, and how to make the most of your position. Scroll down to test yourself in the interactive drill.
Play the Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian: d4 against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Ready to test yourself? Play the position against the engine below — it will adapt to your level and show you the best reply every time. Create a free account (
Create a free account →Why the Numbers Matter Here
The raw statistics from Lichess (22,672,870 games at this exact position) reveal something surprising: despite the +0.35 engine evaluation favouring White, Black scores almost as well as White does. White wins 48.7%, draws only 4.0%, and Black wins 47.3%. That tiny gap tells you this is an opening where practical chances matter more than the computer's assessment. If you play accurately, you are very much in the game. The key is knowing which White moves you should welcome and which ones demand respect.
The Engine's Choice: Nxd4
Stockfish's top recommendation for White is 4.Nxd4, and with 21,270,639 games played, the vast majority of opponents will play it. After 4.Nxd4, the engine suggests the continuation Nf6 Nc3 e6 — a standard Sicilian setup. You are heading into a rich, double-edged middlegame where piece activity and central control decide the outcome. White's score from this line is 48.7%, essentially flipping a coin. So when you face 4.Nxd4, relax: you are in the main line, and your job is to outplay your opponent from there.
Punishing White's Mistakes
One of the best reasons to learn the Old Sicilian is that many White players mess it up. Three common replies are genuine mistakes, and knowing them will win you games on the spot. 4.c3 is an inaccuracy costing White roughly 0.7 pawns, and White's score jumps to 51.8% — but that still means you win or draw half the time. 4.Bc4 is a real mistake at ~1.3 pawns lost; White's score drops back to 48.7%. The big one is 4.Bb5: a blunder that loses about 4.0 pawns. In those games, White scores only 40.9%, meaning you win comfortably more often than not. Spotting 4.Bb5 and knowing how to reply is a free upgrade to your score.
What the Drill Will Test
In the interactive drill below, you play Black against an adapting engine. The position is after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4, and it is White's turn. The engine will throw different White replies at you — the standard 4.Nxd4, the inaccurate 4.c3, the mistaken 4.Bc4, the blunder 4.Bb5, and a few others. Your task is to respond correctly each time, punishing the bad moves and holding your own in the main line. You will get immediate feedback after every move, which is the fastest way to lock in the patterns. This is not about memorising a book — it is about training your reflexes for a position you will see again and again.
Results across 22,672,870 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nxd4 | 21,270,639 | 48.7% |
| c3 | 618,830 | 51.8% |
| Bc4 | 470,512 | 48.7% |
| Bb5 | 134,238 | 40.9% |
| Ng5 | 98,433 | 42.8% |
| Bd3 | 25,415 | 44.5% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sicilian Old Sicilian d4 good for Black?
Statistically, yes — Black wins 47.3% of games from this position, nearly matching White's 48.7%. The engine gives White a small edge (+0.35), but at club level the practical chances are very balanced. If you play accurately, White has no easy path to an advantage.
What is the main line after 3.d4 cxd4?
The main line is 4.Nxd4, White's most common and best move by far. From there the typical continuation is Nf6 Nc3 e6, heading into a standard Sicilian structure. White scores 48.7% in this line, so Black is doing fine.
Which White moves should Black punish?
Three moves stand out as errors: 4.c3 is an inaccuracy (loses ~0.7 pawns), 4.Bc4 is a mistake (~1.3 pawns), and 4.Bb5 is a blunder (~4.0 pawns). Knowing how to respond to these can give you a big advantage early on. White's score after 4.Bb5 drops to just 40.9%.
How should I respond to 4.Nxd4 as Black?
The engine's recommended follow-up is 4...Nf6, challenging White's knight and central space. A solid continuation is 5.Nc3 e6, leading to a flexible Sicilian structure. You are aiming for quick development and counterplay on the queenside.