Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation

The Lasker-Pelikan Variation arises after 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 e5, where Black kicks the d4 knight and accepts a hole on d5. Black wants active pieces and dark-square play, while White aims to use d5 as an outpost, often through Ndb5 and Nd5.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5
ECO
B33
Engine
+0.19 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
3,938 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 6.Ndb5 is the main move, eyeing d6 and preparing Nd5 to take over the hole.
  • After Nd5 Nxd5 exd5, the black knight must retreat and c4 builds a queenside space edge.
  • 6.Nxc6 bxc6 followed by Qf3 and Bc4 is a calmer choice with quick development.
  • Keep a piece on d5 whenever possible; that square is the long-term asset of this line.

Black

  • Answer Ndb5 with ...d6 so the knight cannot land on d6, then expect a later ...a6.
  • After 6.Nf5 the move ...d5 hits back in the center and leads to early simplification.
  • Use the e5 pawn to control d4 and f4, then develop the dark-squared bishop actively.
  • Plan ...f5 later to attack e4 and free your pieces, since the center is Black's main asset.

Plans and pawn structure

The structure after ...e5 gives White the d5 outpost and Black a backward d6 pawn once ...d6 appears. White's plan is to plant a knight on d5, push c4 for space, and attack the d6 pawn. Black's plan is dynamic: kick the b5 knight with ...a6, expand with ...b5, and later break with ...f5 against e4. The bishop pair and active dark-square play are Black's compensation. If White wins control of d5 without allowing ...f5, Black gets stuck defending.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.19: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.19 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 Nb8
  2. −0.04 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Qf3 Be7 8.Bc4 O-O
  3. −0.07 6.Nf5 d5 7.exd5 Bxf5 8.dxc6 Qxd1+

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

3,938 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.1%.

under 120041.5%
1200–159949.4%
1600–199948.6%
2000 and up52.6%

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

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, play 6.Ndb5 and aim for Nd5. Do not retreat with Nf3 or Nb3 unless you know the lines, since Black gets easy development there. Keep the d5 knight, and meet ...f5 with exchanges that leave Black's pawns weak.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5. Its ECO code is B33.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.19 at depth 20, which is level. In 3,938 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.1%. A dynamic weapon for Black players who know the theory, while White players should be ready for sharp lines after 6.Ndb5.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation?

Black plays ...e5 to gain time on the d4 knight and fight for the dark squares, accepting a hole on d5. White tries to occupy d5 with a knight, while Black counters with ...a6, ...b5 and ...f5.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Ndb5, with Nxc6 and Nf5 close behind. 6.Ndb5 keeps the knight active and heads for d6 or d5, the squares Black's ...e5 weakened.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.