Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Tartakower
The Tartakower line is 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3, a delayed Morra-style pawn offer after Black's ...d6. White gives the pawn for quick development, while Black can take on c3 and play safely, or decline with ...Nf6 and fight for the center.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3
- ECO
- B50
- Engine
- −0.30 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 988 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.1%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After ...dxc3, recapture Nxc3 and develop with Bc4, castling and Qe2 for active play.
- Against ...Nf6, Qxd4 regains the pawn and Bb5 develops with tempo.
- If Black pushes ...d3, take with Bxd3 and build a kingside setup with Be3 and h3.
- Use the open c- and d-files with rooks to make the gambit pay off.
Black
- 4...dxc3 accepts the pawn; follow with ...Nc6, ...e6 and ...Be7 to castle quickly.
- 4...Nf6 attacks e4 and keeps the extra time without accepting the gambit.
- ...d3 gives the pawn back to keep White's knight off c3 and the c-file closed.
- Keep the d6 and e6 pawns firm so White's pieces cannot break through.
Plans and pawn structure
White's c3 offer aims for an open position and fast development, but Black's early ...d6 makes the gambit less dangerous than the Smith-Morra. If Black accepts, White develops with Nxc3, Bc4, castling and Qe2, aiming for e5 or Rd1. Black's solid ...e6 and ...Be7 setup usually holds, and the extra pawn becomes an asset in the ending. If Black declines with ...Nf6, White regains the pawn but has no special edge.
Where the engine's main line heads: Scheveningen small center: Black pawns d6 and e6. The Scheveningen small center: Black pawns on d6 and e6 cover the central squares and wait for the right moment to break with ...d5 or ...e5.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.30: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.30 4...dxc3 5.Nxc3 Nc6 6.Bc4 e6 7.O-O
- −0.26 4...Nf6 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Qe3
- +0.18 4...d3 5.Bxd3 g6 6.O-O Bg7 7.Be3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
988 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.1%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, take with 4...dxc3 and develop calmly with ...Nc6, ...e6, ...Be7. Avoid early queen moves that waste time. If you prefer a quieter game, 4...Nf6 or ...d3 keep things simple.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Tartakower?
The Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Tartakower starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3. Its ECO code is B50.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Tartakower good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.30 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 988 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.1%. A practical gambit for attacking White players, though Black with a calm setup keeps the extra pawn and a sound position.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Tartakower?
White offers a pawn with c3 to gain development and open files. Black can accept with ...dxc3 and play solidly, or decline with ...Nf6 or ...d3 to avoid White's initiative.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is dxc3, with Nf6 and d3 close behind. 4...dxc3 accepts the pawn and keeps Black's structure intact with ...Nc6 and ...e6 to follow.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.