Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation

The Kan Maroczy Bind, Reti Variation is 5.c4, where White grabs space with pawns on c4 and e4. Black looks for ...Nf6 and ...Bb4 to hit e4, or a hedgehog setup, while White aims to keep the bind and limit Black's breaks.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4
ECO
B41
Engine
+0.36 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,018 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.6%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Nc3 and Bd3 support e4 and keep ...d5 hard to play for many moves.
  • Meet the ...Bb4 pin with Qd3, as in the top engine line, keeping e4 and c3 covered.
  • After ...Bb4+, Bd2 and Nb3 trade the dark bishops and keep the bind intact.
  • Against a hedgehog, a3, Be3 and f3 keep Black's pieces out and prepare b4.

Black

  • ...Nf6 and ...Bb4 put pressure on e4 and on the c3 knight that guards it.
  • ...Qc7 with ...b6 and ...Bb7 sets up a hedgehog that waits for the right break.
  • ...d5 is the freeing break; after exd5 exd5 the position opens for Black's bishops.
  • ...Qb6 after a check on b4 hits the d4 knight and asks White to retreat to b3.

Plans and pawn structure

White's c4 and e4 pawns control d5 and b5, so Black's main breaks are ...b5 and ...d5. White plays Nc3, Bd3 or Be2, O-O and sometimes f3 to hold the bind. Black can use ...Bb4 to pin the c3 knight and then strike with ...d5, or set up a hedgehog with ...b6, ...Bb7 and ...d6, waiting for White to overextend. In the hedgehog, the timing of ...b5 or ...d5 decides the game.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.36: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.36 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qd3 d5 8.exd5
  2. +0.42 5...Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Qb6 7.Nb3 Nf6 8.Bd3
  3. +0.53 5...Qc7 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.a3 b6 8.Be3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,018 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.6%.

1200–159952.0%
1600–199949.6%
2000 and up53.0%

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

Where it goes next

  • Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Hedgehog Variation5...g6 · rare
  • Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Bronstein Variation5...Nf6 · rare

How to play against it

With Black, play ...Nf6 and ...Bb4 to pressure e4 at once. If White holds it with Qd3, the ...d5 break is ready. If you prefer slow play, set up the hedgehog and wait. Do not push ...d5 without enough support, or White's pieces jump into d5.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4. Its ECO code is B41.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.36 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,018 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.6%. For White players who like space and slow pressure; Black must be patient and know the hedgehog plans.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation?

White grabs space with c4 and e4 to control d5. Black hits e4 with ...Nf6 and ...Bb4 or builds a hedgehog to break later.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf6, with Bb4+ and Qc7 close behind. 5...Nf6 hits e4 and prepares ...Bb4 to pin the c3 knight.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.