Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation
The Advance Variation is 3.e5, pushing the pawn to kick the f6 knight right away. White gains space and chases the knight, while Black usually answers ...Nd5 and aims to undermine the e5 pawn with ...e6, ...d6 or ...Nc6.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5
- ECO
- B29
- Engine
- +0.57 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 486 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 4.Nc3 challenges the d5 knight and prepares a trade on d5.
- After Nxd5 exd5, push d4 and take on c5 to open lines.
- Against ...Ng8, d4 and Qxd4 give a big lead in development.
- Against ...Ng4, h3 and d4 kick the knight and grab more space.
Black
- 3...Nd5 is the best square; follow with ...e6 and ...Nc6.
- After Nxd5 exd5, ...Nc6 and ...d6 fight the e5 pawn.
- Avoid ...Ng4 and ...Ng8, which lose time and give White an easy edge.
- Look for ...d6 to break up White's center when pieces are ready.
Plans and pawn structure
After 3...Nd5 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nxd5 exd5, Black has a central pawn on d5 and White has a space edge with e5. White's plan is d4 and dxc5, opening the position for active pieces. Black's plan is ...Nc6, ...d6 and quick development, aiming to show the e5 pawn is overextended. If White trades the knights and keeps e5, Black must fight for central space. If Black breaks with ...d6, the center opens.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.57: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.57 3...Nd5 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nxd5 exd5 6.d4
- +0.79 3...Ng8 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 Nc6 6.Qa4
- +1.03 3...Ng4 4.h3 Nh6 5.d4 cxd4 6.c3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
486 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Nimzowitsch Variation, Main Line3...Nd5 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, play 3...Nd5 and follow with ...e6 and ...Nc6. Do not retreat to g8 or jump to g4, as those waste time. Aim for ...d6 to challenge the e5 pawn.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation?
The Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5. Its ECO code is B29.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.57 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 486 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.7%. A space-gaining line for White players who like direct play, while Black must handle the knight carefully.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Advance Variation?
White pushes e5 to kick the knight and gain space. Black answers ...Nd5 and aims to undermine the e5 pawn with ...e6, ...Nc6 and ...d6.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Nd5, with Ng8 and Ng4 close behind. 3...Nd5 centralizes the knight and prepares ...e6, avoiding passive retreats.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.