Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open
The French Variation Open is 3.d4 cxd4, where Black captures and White must decide how to recapture. Most players take back with Nxd4, reaching Taimanov or Kan lines, though c3 offers a Smith-Morra style gambit.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4
- ECO
- B40
- Engine
- +0.31 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 2,399 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.5%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 4.Nxd4 is normal; Black then picks ...Nc6, ...a6 or ...Nf6 setups to finish the opening.
- After ...Nc6 Nc3 Qc7, Be3 and Qd2 prepare long castling and a kingside push.
- c3 offers a pawn for fast development with Nxc3 and Bc4 against f7.
- Be2 or a3 are quieter, but they let Black keep the d4 pawn for a while.
Black
- Develop with ...Nc6, ...a6 or ...Nf6 and choose the structure you know best.
- Against c3 gambits, ...d5 or ...Nf6 are calm ways to return the pawn and catch up.
- ...Qc7 adds pressure on e5 and the c-file and supports ...a6 and ...b5.
- Avoid trying to hold d4 at all costs against Be2 lines, which can trap pieces.
Plans and pawn structure
After 4.Nxd4 Black has many systems. With ...Nc6 and ...Qc7 it becomes a Taimanov with pressure on e5 and c3. White sets up Be3, Qd2 and long castling, or Be2 and short castling with f4. Black then plays ...a6 and ...b5 for queenside play and keeps the d5 break ready. If White gambits with c3, the play is fast: open files and quick development for White against an extra pawn for Black.
Where the engine's main line heads: Open Sicilian: White traded the d-pawn for Black's c-pawn. An Open Sicilian: White traded the d-pawn for Black's c-pawn. White has a lead in development and the d-file, Black has the half-open c-file and two central pawns.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.31: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.31 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6
- +0.03 4.Be2 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Bc5 6.c3 dxc3
- −0.01 4.a3 Qa5+ 5.c3 Nf6 6.b4 Qc7
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
2,399 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.5%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Taimanov Variation4.Nxd4 · 7,440 games
- Smith-Morra Gambit Deferred4.c3 · 777 games
- Scheveningen Variation, Classical Main Line4.Nxd4 · rare
How to play against it
With White, 4.Nxd4 leads to known positions; Be3 and Qd2 are simple. With Black, choose your system early and stick to it, so White cannot steer you into lines you do not know. Against the c3 gambit, return the pawn with ...d5 rather than grabbing more.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open?
The Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4. Its ECO code is B40.
Is the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.31 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 2,399 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.5%. Standard and sound; both sides benefit from knowing a couple of main systems well.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open?
Black takes on d4 and keeps choices open. White usually recaptures with the knight and Black decides between Taimanov, Kan or Scheveningen setups.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nxd4, with Be2 and a3 close behind. 4.Nxd4 recaptures with the knight and keeps a central piece on d4.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.