Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Retreat Variation

Key ideas for both sides

White

Develop Bc4 next, aiming at f7 and the d5 square that ...e5 left weak.
Answer ...Bb4 by castling short and accept doubled c-pawns after bxc3 for the bishop pair.
After Bc4 and castling, Bg5 pins the f6 knight and adds pressure on d5.
In the ...Bc5 lines, Qe2 and Be3 challenge Black's active bishop.

Black

6...Bb4 pins the c3 knight; trading on c3 gives White doubled c-pawns to target later.
...Bc5 is the active alternative, and ...h6 keeps a white bishop off g5.
Castle early and play ...d6, keeping the e5 pawn firmly supported.
Fight for d5 with ...Be6 if White's bishop stays on c4.

Plans and pawn structure

With the knight back on f3, White gives up the d5 pressure that Ndb5 would have created. Play becomes a closed-center fight. If Black takes on c3 with the bishop, White has two bishops and doubled c-pawns, and Black aims pieces at c4 and c3. White's plan is Bg5, Qe2 or Qd3 and f4 ideas, or a slow regroup to d5. Black wants ...Be6 to trade White's strong light-squared bishop and keep d5 covered.

Where the engine's main line heads: White has doubled c-pawns. White's c-pawns are doubled, usually after ...Bxc3 bxc3. In return White keeps the bishop pair and a solid center.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.33: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

−0.33 6...Bb4 7.Bc4 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 O-O 9.O-O
−0.18 6...Bc5 7.Bc4 h6 8.Qe2 d6 9.O-O
−0.17 6...h6 7.Bc4 Bc5 8.Qe2 d6 9.O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

780 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 44.8%.

under 120036.1%

1200–159948.9%

1600–199941.7%

2000 and up52.4%

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

How to play against it

Black should play 6...Bb4 or 6...Bc5 and develop quickly. Do not rush ...d5 while e4 and d5 are both well covered. If you trade on c3, target White's doubled pawns with ...Be6 and pressure on the c-file.

Questions

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

The Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Retreat Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Nf3. Its ECO code is B33.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Retreat Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.33 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 780 lichess games from our sample, White scored 44.8%. A quiet choice for White players avoiding theory, but it hands Black easy equality and a comfortable game.

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

White steps back with 6.Nf3 and aims for simple development with Bc4 and castling. Black uses the time for ...Bb4 or ...Bc5 and often creates doubled c-pawns for White.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bb4, with Bc5 and h6 close behind. 6...Bb4 pins the c3 knight and threatens to win e4 or double White's pawns.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.