Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation

The Kalashnikov Variation is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6, where Black kicks the knight with ...e5 and accepts a hole on d5. White aims to use that hole and a c4 bind, while Black plays for activity and breaks like ...f5.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6
ECO
B32
Engine
+0.41 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,896 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 6.c4 sets up a Maroczy bind; after ...Be7 7.N5c3, the knight returns and covers d5.
  • Bring the other knight to d5 via c3, and use Be2 and O-O for safety.
  • N1c3 with Na3 and Nc4 plans to land on d5 or e3, pressuring Black's center.
  • Bg5 and Bxf6 can give Black doubled f-pawns and further weaken d5.

Black

  • After c4, play ...Be7, ...Nf6, ...O-O and ...Ne8, heading for the ...f5 break.
  • ...a6 kicks the knight on b5, then ...b5 grabs space if White wastes time.
  • ...f5 is the main break, opening the f-file and challenging White's e4 pawn.
  • Do not allow a white knight on d5 without trading it for a minor piece.

Plans and pawn structure

The d5 hole is the key. White wants to put a knight there and hold it with c4 and e4. Black has to fight d5 with ...Nf6, ...Be6 and pieces, and look for ...f5 to open lines. In the c4 lines, White has space and Black prepares ...Ne8 and ...f5. In the Na3 lines, Black uses ...a6 and ...b5 to gain space, and White targets the d5 square from c4 and e3.

Where the engine's main line heads: Maroczy bind: White pawns on c4 and e4. The Maroczy bind: White pawns on c4 and e4 clamp the d5 square, so Black's ...d5 and ...b5 breaks are hard to play.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.41: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.41 6.c4 Be7 7.N5c3 Nf6 8.Be2 O-O
  2. +0.28 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3 Nf6 8.Nc4 b5
  3. +0.21 6.N1a3 Nf6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Bxf6 gxf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,896 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.6%.

1200–159961.0%
1600–199949.7%
2000 and up53.0%

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

How to play against it

With White, play c4 and N5c3, aiming a knight at d5, and keep the queenside solid with Be2 and O-O. With Black, prepare ...f5 with ...Ne8 or ...Nd7, and never let White plant a permanent knight on d5 that you cannot trade off.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6. Its ECO code is B32.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.41 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,896 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.6%. Suits Black players who like activity and are ready for long positional fights; White needs patience to use d5.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation?

Black uses ...e5 to gain space and kick the d4 knight, accepting a hole on d5. White fights for d5 with knights and a c4 bind; Black aims for ...f5.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is c4, with N1c3 and N1a3 close behind. 6.c4 builds a bind and prepares N5c3 to control d5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.