Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Westerinen Attack
The Westerinen Attack is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3, where White fianchettoes the queen's bishop instead of playing d4. White aims Bb2 at the long diagonal, while Black can strike in the center with ...d5 or play ...a6 and ...Nc6 setups.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3
- ECO
- B40
- Engine
- +0.08 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 504 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 49.4%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Bb2 eyes e5 and g7, so any black knight on f6 can be pressured later.
- After ...d5, exd5 and Qe2+ can create small problems for the black king.
- c4 and g3 build a hedgehog-like setup, aiming for an e5 push later.
- d4 later opens the long diagonal for the bishop and frees the c1 rook path.
Black
- 3...a6 keeps options open and prepares ...d5 without allowing annoying Bb5+ checks.
- After ...d5 and exd5 exd5, the Qe2+ check is met calmly by ...Be6.
- ...Nc6 and ...Qc7 control e5, the square White's bishop most wants to use.
- Do not rush ...d5 before preventing Bb5+, which pins and disturbs your development.
Plans and pawn structure
The b2 bishop makes e5 an important square. White can build with c4, g3 and Bg2 or keep things flexible with Qe2 and d4. Black should either hit the center with ...d5, getting an open game where White's bishop is not as strong, or control e5 with ...Nc6 and ...Qc7. The light-squared bishop is often traded on e6 or b5, so piece activity matters more than pawn structure.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.08: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.08 3...a6 4.Bb2 d5 5.exd5 exd5 6.Qe2+
- +0.22 3...Nc6 4.Bb2 a6 5.c4 Qc7 6.g3
- +0.25 3...Qc7 4.Bb2 Nc6 5.Qe2 d6 6.d4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
504 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.4%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
With Black, prepare ...d5 with ...a6 so that Bb5+ is not annoying. Control e5 with ...Nc6 and ...Qc7. Avoid letting White get e5 for free, since a pawn there gives the b2 bishop a clear path toward your kingside and cramps the f6 square.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Westerinen Attack?
The Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Westerinen Attack starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3. Its ECO code is B40.
Is the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Westerinen Attack good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.08 at depth 20, which is level. In 504 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.4%. A low-theory try for White that suits flexible players; Black is fine with a simple ...a6 and ...d5 plan.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Westerinen Attack?
White sets up the queen's bishop on b2 to target the long diagonal and the e5 square. Black hits the center with ...d5 or controls e5 with knights and the queen.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is a6, with Nc6 and Qc7 close behind. 3...a6 prevents Bb5 checks and prepares ...d5 for central play.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.