Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Modern Variation

The Kan Modern Variation is 5.Bd3, where White develops the bishop to cover e4 and prepares O-O and c4. Black chooses between ...Qc7, ...Nf6 and ...Bc5, each aiming to hit White's center and knight.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3
ECO
B42
Engine
+0.41 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
597 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Qe2 and O-O support e4 and prepare e5 or c4, depending on where Black's pieces go.
  • Against ...Bc5, Nb3 kicks the bishop at once and gains time for Qe2 and Nc3.
  • c4 gives a Maroczy bind with the bishop on d3 already guarding e4.
  • Against ...Qc7 and ...Nf6, the e5 push drives the knight to d5 and gains space.

Black

  • ...Qc7 controls e5 and prepares ...Nf6, so White cannot push e5 with tempo.
  • ...Nf6 hits e4 at once; White must defend with Qe2 or castle and allow pressure.
  • ...Bc5 develops actively; after Nb3, ...Ba7 keeps the bishop aimed at f2.
  • ...g6 is a rare fianchetto try that leaves dark squares like d6 and f6 weak.

Plans and pawn structure

With the bishop on d3, White keeps e4 solid and prepares c4 or e5. Black uses ...Qc7 and ...Nf6 to control e5, or ...Bc5 and ...Ba7 to pressure f2 and the d4 knight. White then chooses between Qe2, O-O and c4 for a bind, or an early e5 to chase the knight to d5 and use Nb4 tricks. Black's main pawn breaks remain ...d6 and ...b5, with a bishop on b7 later hitting the long diagonal.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.41: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.41 5...Qc7 6.Qe2 Nf6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Bd2
  2. +0.42 5...Nf6 6.O-O Qc7 7.Qe2 d6 8.c4
  3. +0.46 5...Bc5 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qe2 Nc6 8.Nc3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

597 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.2%.

1200–159950.0%
1600–199947.4%
2000 and up50.2%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Kan Variation, Polugaevsky Variation5...Bc5 · rare
  • Kan Variation, Swiss Cheese Variation5...g6 · rare
  • Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation5...Nf6 · rare

How to play against it

With Black, play ...Qc7 or ...Nf6 and keep e5 under control, so White cannot push it with tempo. Use ...Bc5 if you want active bishop play and pressure on f2. Do not open the center before you castle, since the d3 bishop points at your kingside.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Modern Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Modern Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3. Its ECO code is B42.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Modern Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.41 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 597 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.2%. A solid choice for White players who like steady plans; Black needs to keep e5 under control.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Modern Variation?

White develops the bishop to d3 to support e4 and prepare c4. Black hits e4 with ...Nf6 or controls e5 with ...Qc7.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Qc7, with Nf6 and Bc5 close behind. 5...Qc7 controls e5 and prepares ...Nf6 without allowing e5 with tempo.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.