Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Marshall Counterattack

The Marshall Counterattack is 3...d5 after 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4, striking at the center at once instead of capturing on d4. Black wants open lines and quick development, while White trades on d5 and uses checks and the e-file to exploit Black's loose king.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 d5
ECO
B40
Engine
+0.83 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,876 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Take on d5 with exd5 and follow with Bb5+, forcing ...Nc6 and pinning the knight.
  • Castle quickly and put a rook on e1, adding pressure down the open e-file.
  • dxc5 is a key threat; Black's isolated pawn appears if White trades on c5 at the right moment.
  • Nc3 develops and hits d5, so Black's center comes under fire from several pieces.

Black

  • Recapture ...exd5 and develop with ...Nc6, ...Be6 and ...Bd6, aiming for quick castling.
  • After Bb5+, block with ...Nc6 and then defend d5 with pieces rather than more pawn moves.
  • Keep c5 supported or be ready to play with an isolated pawn on d5 if White takes on c5.
  • Avoid ...f6 lines that weaken the king, as the engine's 4.Nc3 line shows.

Plans and pawn structure

The center opens early, with d4 against d5 and an open e-file. White's plan is to castle, play Re1, pin with Bb5, and pressure d5 and c5. If White captures on c5, Black has an isolated d5 pawn and active pieces, a familiar trade-off. Black wants fast development with ...Be6 and ...Bd6, castling, and rooks on the c- and e-files. If Black's king stays in the center too long, checks on the e-file become deadly.

Where the engine's main line heads: Symmetrical center: d4 against d5, open e-file. A symmetrical center: d4 against d5 with an open e-file. Neither side has pawn weaknesses, so piece activity decides.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.83: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.83 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+ Nc6 6.O-O Be6
  2. +0.80 4.Bb5+ Nc6 5.exd5 exd5 6.O-O Nf6
  3. +0.61 4.Nc3 cxd4 5.Bg5 f6 6.Bb5+ Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,876 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.1%.

under 120048.1%
1200–159950.2%
1600–199953.2%
2000 and up48.0%

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

How to play against it

As White, play 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+ and castle fast. Put a rook on e1 and aim at d5 and c5. Do not rush into pawn grabs that leave your own king in the center.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Marshall Counterattack?

The Sicilian Defense: Marshall Counterattack starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 d5. Its ECO code is B40.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Marshall Counterattack good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.83 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 1,876 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.1%. A sharp surprise for Black players who like open positions, but White players who castle fast and use the e-file get a clear plus.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Marshall Counterattack?

Black hits the center with ...d5 instead of capturing on d4, inviting an open game. White trades with exd5, checks with Bb5+, and uses the e-file and pressure on c5 and d5.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is exd5, with Bb5+ and Nc3 close behind. 4.exd5 opens the e-file and prepares Bb5+, aiming at Black's uncastled king.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.