Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack
The Kan Wing Attack is 5.Nc3 b5, where Black expands on the queenside at once. Black plans ...Bb7 and ...b4 to hit the c3 knight and e4, while White develops with Bd3 or g3 to protect e4.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5
- ECO
- B43
- Engine
- +0.20 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 758 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 46.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 6.Bd3 with Qe2 and O-O protects e4 and keeps the game solid, as the engine prefers.
- g3 and Bg2 add support to e4 and aim down the long diagonal at Black's rook on a8.
- a3 stops ...b4 and keeps the knight on c3 guarding e4 and d5.
- If ...b4 comes after g3, Na4 keeps the knight active, though ...Bxe4 then wins a pawn.
Black
- ...Bb7 hits e4 at once and prepares ...b4 to remove the knight that guards it.
- ...b4 chases the c3 knight, and if e4 loses support, ...Bxe4 picks up the pawn.
- ...Qc7, ...Nc6 and ...Nf6 complete development before Black opens the queenside further.
- Keep the king in the center until White's plan is clear, then castle short behind e6.
Plans and pawn structure
Black's early ...b5 aims everything at e4. White must support it with Bd3 and Qe2, or with g3 and Bg2. If White plays a3, ...b4 is stopped and Black continues with ...Bb7, ...Nc6 and ...Qc7. If White allows ...b4, the c3 knight must move and e4 can fall, as the g3 engine line shows. White's long-term plan is kingside play with f4 and Qe2 while Black expands further on the queenside.
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 +0.20: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.20 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.Qe2 Qc7 8.O-O Be7
- +0.11 6.g3 Bb7 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.O-O b4
- +0.08 6.a3 Bb7 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nxc6 Bxc6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
758 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 46.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Kan Variation, Wing Attack, Christiansen's Dream6.Bd3 · rare
How to play against it
With White, protect e4 first with Bd3 and Qe2, or with g3 and Bg2. Use a3 if ...b4 is annoying, since it keeps the knight on c3. Do not leave e4 weak or play Na4 without checking what ...Bxe4 does.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack?
The Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5. Its ECO code is B43.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.20 at depth 20, which is level. In 758 lichess games from our sample, White scored 46.0%. Good for active Black players who like queenside play; White must keep e4 safe.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack?
Black uses ...b5 to gain space and pressure e4 with ...Bb7 and ...b4. White protects e4 with Bd3 or g3 and plays for kingside play.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Bd3, with g3 and a3 close behind. 6.Bd3 protects e4 and prepares Qe2 and O-O.
Related lines
- Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation
- Knight Variation
- Réti Variation
- Modern Variation
- How to beat the Sicilian Defenseguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.