Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation

The Opocensky Variation is 6.Be2, a calm developing move that prepares short castling. White aims for a solid setup with f4 and Kh1, while Black often answers with ...e5 and plays for central and queenside activity.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2
ECO
B92
Engine
+0.19 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,023 games in our lichess sample
White scores
48.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After ...e5, retreat Nb3 and castle short, then use Kh1 and f4 to open lines.
  • Use Be3 and Qd2 to support the center and fight for d5.
  • f4 is a key push to challenge e5 and open the f-file.
  • Keep the e4 pawn safe and avoid early pawn grabs.

Black

  • 6...e5 kicks the knight and gains space, the engine's top choice.
  • ...Be7, castling and ...Nc6 develop quickly and keep the king safe.
  • ...h6 can stop Bg5 ideas and keep the f6 knight stable.
  • Use ...b5 or ...d5 breaks when White plays f4.

Plans and pawn structure

After 6.Be2 and ...e5, White aims for a calm buildup with Nb3, castling, Kh1 and f4. Black responds with ...Be7, castling and ...Nc6 or ...Be6, preparing ...b5 or ...d5. White's main target is the d5 square, while Black targets e4 and the queenside. If White gets f4 and fxe5 in good conditions, the f-file opens for rooks. Black must be ready to answer with ...exf4 or ...d5 at the right moment.

Where the engine's main line heads: Open Sicilian with ...e5: a hole on d5, a backward d6 pawn. An Open Sicilian with ...e5: Black has the center but leaves a hole on d5 and a backward pawn on d6.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.19: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.19 6...e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.O-O O-O 9.Kh1
  2. +0.39 6...h6 7.Be3 e5 8.Nb3 Be7 9.Qd2
  3. +0.40 6...e6 7.Be3 Be7 8.g4 d5 9.exd5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,023 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 48.8%.

1200–159948.8%
1600–199947.2%
2000 and up50.4%

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

Where it goes next

  • Najdorf Variation, Scheveningen Variation6...e6 · rare
  • Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation, Traditional Line6...e5 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play 6...e5 and develop quickly. Avoid weakening the d5 square without reason. Use ...b5 or ...d5 to fight for space when White commits to f4.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2. Its ECO code is B92.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.19 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,023 lichess games from our sample, White scored 48.8%. A solid line for White players who like positional play, while Black gets a comfortable game with ...e5.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation?

White develops calmly with Be2 and prepares Kh1 and f4. Black answers with ...e5 and aims for central play with ...b5 or ...d5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is e5, with h6 and e6 close behind. 6...e5 gains central space and kicks the knight, setting up ...Be7 and castling.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.