Chessy
Sicilian Four Knights: Bg5 — A Solid Choice for Black
The Sicilian Four Knights with 6.Bg5 is one of those lines where Black can look forward to a comfortable game right out of the opening. After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 Be7, you've reached the tabiya. Stockfish evaluates this position at +0.22, a tiny edge for White — but in human terms that's just dead level. The database backs this up: across over 170,000 games, Black actually scores a healthy 52.1% from here. Below you'll find the engine's top suggestion, the most popular replies from White, and the concrete ideas you need to turn this equal start into a full point.
Play the Sicilian: Four Knights: Bg5 against the engine
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The central tension in the Four Knights Bg5 revolves around the pin on the f6-knight. White's bishop on g5 eyes your knight, which defends the d5 square — the traditional break in many Sicilians. Your job is to resolve this pin on your terms. The engine recommends Qd3 followed by ...h6 and ...Bh4, a simple but effective plan: you ask the bishop what it intends to do, then castle and prepare to fight for the centre with ...d5 or ...b5 ideas later. The position is balanced because both sides have developed harmoniously — you're not worse here, and the statistics prove it.
The Engine's Best Continuation
If you want to match the computer's idea, here's the line to know: after 6...Be7, White's best move is Qd3, preparing to meet ...h6 with Bh4, keeping the pin intact. The full sequence recommended by the engine: Qd3 h6 Bh4 O-O. Black has comfortably castled, the bishop is awkwardly placed on h4 (vulnerable to a future ...g5 push if White overextends), and you have a solid position. From here, typical plans include challenging the centre with ...d5 or expanding on the queenside with ...a6 and ...b5. The engine's evaluation of +0.22 barely registers as an advantage — you are essentially equal.
What the Statistics Reveal
The numbers from 170,176 games at this exact position tell a clear story: Black is doing just fine. White wins 44.0% of the time, draws occur in just 3.9% of games, and Black scores a commanding 52.1%. That's a higher win rate than White in what theory calls an equal position — a sign that Black's play is more straightforward while White needs to be precise. Among White's most popular replies: Nxc6 (33,830 games, White scores 43.6%), Bb5 (27,334 games, 44.9%), Be2 (18,601 games, 45.2%), Qd2 (17,720 games, 50.3%), Bc4 (16,747 games, 43.0%), and f4 (11,938 games, 44.7%). Notice that Qd2 is the only move scoring above 50% for White — and that's still barely above water. You have excellent practical chances against every other option.
How to Handle White's Most Popular Reply
The most-played move in the position is 7.Nxc6, which appears in nearly 34,000 games. After you recapture with 7...bxc6 or 7...dxc6, White scores just 43.6% — that's a terrible result for the first player. Taking on c6 resolves the central tension early and hands you a solid pawn structure. With ...bxc6 you keep the c-file half-open for your rook and maintain pressure on White's centre; with ...dxc6 you open lines for your light-squared bishop. Either way, you're the one with the more comfortable position. Black's 52.1% overall win rate in this line suggests many White players struggle to find an active plan after the knights come off.
Results across 170,176 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nxc6 | 33,830 | 43.6% |
| Bb5 | 27,334 | 44.9% |
| Be2 | 18,601 | 45.2% |
| Qd2 | 17,720 | 50.3% |
| Bc4 | 16,747 | 43.0% |
| f4 | 11,938 | 44.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sicilian Four Knights Bg5 good for Black?
Yes, absolutely. From the position after 6...Be7, the engine gives a tiny +0.22 edge for White (essentially equal), and Black wins 52.1% of games in practice — better than White's 44.0%. It's a solid, respected line.
What is White's best move in the Four Knights Bg5?
The engine's top choice is Qd3, preparing to meet ...h6 with Bh4 and keeping the pin on the f6-knight. The full recommended line is Qd3 h6 Bh4 O-O, after which Black has castled safely and the position is balanced.
Should Black capture with bxc6 or dxc6 after Nxc6?
Both are playable, and neither turns the evaluation against you. ...bxc6 keeps the c-file open for your rook and maintains a solid pawn chain; ...dxc6 activates your light-squared bishop. Choose based on your style — the statistics show Black scores well regardless.
Why does Black win more often than White in this supposedly equal opening?
White's position requires precise handling to prove anything, while Black's plans (castling, breaking with ...d5, queenside expansion) are more natural. The data from over 170,000 games shows Black outscoring White 52.1% to 44.0%, suggesting it's easier to play as the second player here.
How many games feature the Sicilian: Four Knights: Bg5?
Over 170K Lichess games have reached the Sicilian: Four Knights: Bg5 position. White wins 44.0%, Black wins 52.1%, with 3.9% draws — based on real rated games.