Sicilian Defense: Closed, Fianchetto Variation
The Closed Fianchetto Variation is 2...Nc6 3.g3, where White commits to the closed setup with Bg2 before choosing d3 or Nge2. Black often answers with ...g6 and ...Bg7 or with ...e5 and ...d6, aiming at the d4 square and queenside play.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3
- ECO
- B24
- Engine
- −0.12 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,060 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 55.9%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Fianchetto with Bg2, then choose between d3 with f4, or Nge2 with an early Nd5.
- Use Nd5 as an outpost, especially after ...e5 locks the center and d5 cannot be hit by a pawn.
- Push f4 to open the f-file and attack on the kingside once the king is castled.
- Consider h4 when Black plays ...e5 and ...h6, gaining kingside space as in the engine line.
Black
- Play ...g6 and ...Bg7, mirroring White's fianchetto and aiming at the long diagonal.
- Use ...e5 and ...d6 for a Botvinnik-style setup that controls d4 and slows f4.
- Go for queenside play with ...Rb8, ...b5 and ...b4 to push the c3 knight away.
- Use ...Nd4 when White plays Nge2, taking a strong central square that White cannot easily challenge.
Plans and pawn structure
White plays on the kingside with f4 and sometimes g4, using Nd5 as an outpost. Black plays on the queenside with ...Rb8, ...b5 and ...b4, or locks the center with ...e5 to stop f4 from gaining space. The d4 and d5 squares are key outposts for both sides' knights, and whoever trades the other's best knight usually gets the better minor-piece battle. White scored 55.9% in this sample, so Black needs a clear plan.
Where the engine's main line heads: Open game: e4 against e5. An open game: e4 against e5. Development, the f7 and f2 squares, and the d4 or d5 break are what count.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.12: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.12 3...d6 4.Nge2 e5 5.Bg2 g6 6.Nd5
- −0.11 3...g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Nge2
- −0.11 3...e5 4.d3 d6 5.h4 h6 6.Nd5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,060 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.9%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Closed, Botvinnik Defense, Edge Variation3...g6 · rare
How to play against it
With Black, play ...g6 and ...Bg7 or ...e5 and ...d6 and aim for queenside play with ...b5. Do not let White get f4 and kingside play for free. With White, play patiently: fianchetto, castle, then prepare f4 or Nd5 depending on Black's setup.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Fianchetto Variation?
The Sicilian Defense: Closed, Fianchetto Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3. Its ECO code is B24.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Fianchetto Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.12 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,060 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.9%. A slow, strategic line for White players who like maneuvering, while Black gets a balanced game.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Closed, Fianchetto Variation?
White fianchettoes and aims for a kingside attack with f4, while Black plays on the queenside or locks the center with ...e5.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is d6, with g6 and e5 close behind. 3...d6 prepares ...e5 and keeps flexible development options.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.