Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Kramnik Variation

The Kramnik Variation is 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4, where White puts pawns on c4 and e4 before opening the center with d4. White wants a Maroczy-style bind that cramps Black's d5 break, while Black aims for quick piece play with ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and ...Bb4.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4
ECO
B40
Engine
−0.04 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,212 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.0%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Follow up with d4 and recapture Nxd4, reaching a bind where the c4 and e4 pawns both watch the d5 square.
  • Develop Nc3 and Be3 behind the pawns, then castle short and keep the pieces compact before any kingside play.
  • Against ...Bb4 pins, the engine line trades with Nxc6 so the c3 knight is not left hanging after a capture.
  • If Black plays ...Qb6, trading queens with Qxb6 axb6 leaves Black with doubled b-pawns in a calm endgame.

Black

  • 3...Nc6 is the engine's choice, waiting for d4 so the knight can trade on d4 or support ...Bb4.
  • After d4 and the knight recapture, ...Nf6 and ...Bb4 put pressure on e4 and the c3 knight at once.
  • The ...b6 and ...Bb7 setup aims a bishop at e4, which is harder for White to guard without f3.
  • Look for ...d5 or ...d6 and ...b5 only when your pieces are ready, since the bind punishes early pawn breaks.

Plans and pawn structure

With pawns on c4 and e4, White holds a grip on d5 and owns more space. White's plan is slow: Nc3, Be3, Be2, castle, and later push f4 or expand on the queenside. Black has no central pawn targets, so play goes through pieces: ...Bb4 against c3 and e4, a queen on b6 or c7, and rooks on the c-file. The key Black break is ...d5, sometimes prepared by ...b6. If Black waits too long, White's space grows into a steady edge.

Where the engine's main line heads: Maroczy bind: White pawns on c4 and e4. The Maroczy bind: White pawns on c4 and e4 clamp the d5 square, so Black's ...d5 and ...b5 breaks are hard to play.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.04: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.04 3...Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nc3
  2. +0.35 3...Qb6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Qxb6
  3. +0.42 3...b6 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,212 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.0%.

under 120039.2%
1200–159951.8%
1600–199952.6%
2000 and up50.0%

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

How to play against it

Play 3...Nc6 and keep options open. After d4, take on d4 and develop with ...Nf6 and ...Bb4, pinning the c3 knight so the e4 pawn needs care. Avoid a passive ...d6 setup with no counterplay, since that lets White build the bind for free.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Kramnik Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Kramnik Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4. Its ECO code is B40.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Kramnik Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.04 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,212 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.0%. Good for positional White players who like space and slow squeezes, while Black needs active piece play to avoid being cramped.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Kramnik Variation?

White builds a Maroczy-style bind with pawns on c4 and e4 before opening the center. Black counters with ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and ...Bb4 to hit e4 and the c3 knight before White completes development.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc6, with Qb6 and b6 close behind. 3...Nc6 develops toward d4 and keeps ...Bb4 ready once White commits to Nc3.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.