Chess Openings Lab
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Hungarian Opening: Sicilian Invitation

The Sicilian Invitation is 1.g3 c5, where Black answers the fianchetto move with a Sicilian-style pawn on c5. White can enter an English with c4 or develop calmly with Nf3 and Bg2, while Black picks between a ...g6 setup and a direct ...d5 center.

Moves
1.g3 c5
ECO
A00
Engine
+0.27 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,093 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 2.c4 gives a Symmetrical English; follow with Bg2, Nf3 and Nc3 while Black mirrors with ...g6 and ...Bg7.
  • 2.Nf3 and Bg2 with O-O, then d4 at the right moment to open the long diagonal toward c6 and b7.
  • If Black takes on d4, recapture with the knight and look for pins against the c6 knight from the g2 bishop.
  • An e4 push turns the game into a Closed Sicilian type setup where g3 is already in.

Black

  • Against c4, mirror with ...Nc6, ...g6 and ...Bg7 so your bishop matches White's on the long diagonal.
  • Against Nf3, grab the center with ...d5 and ...Nc6, then answer d4 with ...cxd4 and ...Nf6.
  • Keep ...d6 and ...e5 in reserve to restrict the g2 bishop if the center stays closed.

Plans and pawn structure

The c5 pawn decides the character of the game. In English lines after c4, both sides fianchetto and fight for d5 with Nc3 against ...Nc6, often leading to slow queenside play with a3, Rb1 and b4 for White. In lines with Nf3 and Bg2, Black takes the center with ...d5 and ...Nc6, and White waits to strike with d4 once castled. If Black builds ...d6 and ...e5, White can answer with e4 and play on the kingside instead.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.27: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.27 2.c4 Nc6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7
  2. +0.23 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.d4 Nf6
  3. +0.18 2.Bg2 d5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.O-O e6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,093 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.2%.

under 120051.8%
1200–159949.4%
1600–199948.8%
2000 and up48.6%

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

How to play against it

As White, pick the structure you know. 2.c4 gives English positions with clear plans; Nf3 and Bg2 lead to a reversed Grünfeld or Catalan feel after ...d5. Do not push d4 too early, before castling, when ...cxd4 and ...Qb6 or ...Nc6 can gain time.

Questions

What are the moves of the Hungarian Opening: Sicilian Invitation?

The Hungarian Opening: Sicilian Invitation starts 1.g3 c5. Its ECO code is A00.

Is the Hungarian Opening: Sicilian Invitation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.27 at depth 20, which is level. In 2,093 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.2%. A sensible, flexible reply that suits Black players who already play the Sicilian or the Symmetrical English.

What is the main idea of the Hungarian Opening: Sicilian Invitation?

Black uses ...c5 to grab the d4 square and keep the game flexible. White chooses between an English with c4 and a calm Nf3, Bg2 and O-O setup that waits to strike with d4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is c4, with Nf3 and Bg2 close behind. 2.c4 controls d5 and leads to Symmetrical English play where both sides fianchetto.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.