Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Schlechter Variation

The Schlechter Variation is 6.Nb3, retreating the knight to b3 instead of jumping to b5. White keeps a solid, flexible setup with Be3 and Nd5 ideas, while Black can grab the initiative with ...Bb4 and a fast ...d5 break.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Nb3
ECO
B33
Engine
−0.40 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
750 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play Be3, f3 and Qd2, then aim a knight at d5 to use the hole created by ...e5.
  • Answer ...Bb4 with Bd3 and castling, keeping e4 defended rather than chasing the bishop.
  • If Black pushes ...d5 and ...d4, a3 and Ne2 reroute the knight while gaining queenside space.
  • Nd5 followed by Nxf6+ removes a key defender of d5 and frees the c4 square for a bishop.

Black

  • 6...Bb4 pins the c3 knight and prepares ...d5, the engine's most active plan.
  • After Bd3, push ...d5 and then ...d4, gaining space and kicking the c3 knight.
  • A quieter route is ...Be7, castling and ...d6, keeping the structure compact.
  • Use ...Be6 to fight for d5 if White sets up with Be3 and f3.

Plans and pawn structure

On b3, the knight is safe but far from d5. That gives Black time for ...Bb4 and ...d5, opening the center before White is castled. If Black achieves ...d5-d4, White's knights are pushed back and Black gains space in the middle. If Black plays the slower ...d6, the game resembles a Najdorf-style English Attack structure: White plays Be3, f3, Qd2 and queenside castling, and Black counters with ...Be6 and ...b5.

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 −0.40: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.40 6...Bb4 7.Bd3 d5 8.O-O d4 9.a3
  2. +0.05 6...Be7 7.Nd5 O-O 8.Nxf6+ Bxf6 9.Bc4
  3. +0.07 6...d6 7.Be3 Be7 8.f3 Be6 9.Nd5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

750 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.3%.

1200–159943.0%
1600–199950.0%
2000 and up51.3%

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

How to play against it

Black should play 6...Bb4 and aim for ...d5. Do not drift into ...d6 setups without purpose, as that lets White play Nd5 and Be3 at leisure. Watch for White's Nd5 jump and trade on d5 when it helps.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Schlechter Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Schlechter Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Nb3. Its ECO code is B33.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Schlechter Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.40 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 750 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.3%. A safe, low-theory choice for White, but Black players who know the ...Bb4 and ...d5 plan get active and comfortable play.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Schlechter Variation?

White retreats to b3 for a solid setup with Be3, f3 and later Nd5. Black uses the time to play ...Bb4 and a quick ...d5, freeing the position.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bb4, with Be7 and d6 close behind. 6...Bb4 pins the knight and prepares ...d5, using the time the b3 retreat gave Black.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.