Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian
The Old Sicilian is 2...Nc6, developing the queen's knight and adding control of d4 and e5 before choosing a pawn setup. White chooses between 3.d4 for an Open Sicilian, 3.Bb5 to pressure the knight, and quieter Nc3 setups, while Black wants flexible development.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6
- ECO
- B30
- Engine
- +0.26 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 37,384 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 49.8%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 3.Bb5 targets the c6 knight; White can castle and push d4, or trade on c6 to double Black's pawns.
- 3.d4 opens the center; after ...cxd4 Nxd4 Nf6 Nc3, Black's ...e5 kicks the knight to b5.
- 3.Nc3 with Bc4, d3 and a4 builds a closed setup that keeps the bishop active and stops ...b5.
Black
- Against 3.Bb5, play ...e6 and ...Nge7, so a knight can recapture on c6 without doubled pawns.
- Against 3.d4, take with ...cxd4 and answer Nxd4 with ...Nf6, then ...e5 to gain central space.
- Against slow setups, ...e5 and ...d6 fix White's bishop and grab the d4 square for the knight.
Plans and pawn structure
The Old Sicilian keeps Black's pawn setup open. If White plays 3.d4, Black chooses between the Accelerated Dragon, ...e5 lines and others after ...cxd4. If White picks 3.Bb5, the game is about the c6 knight: Black can protect it with ...e6 and ...Nge7, or allow a trade and use the bishop pair. Against Nc3 setups, Black often plays ...e5 and ...d6 and takes the d4 square with ...Nd4.
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 +0.26: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.26 3.Bb5 e6 4.O-O Nge7 5.d4 cxd4
- +0.22 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5
- +0.17 3.Nc3 e5 4.Bc4 d6 5.d3 Be7
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
37,384 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.8%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Traps and pitfalls
Magnus Smith Trap (White sets it)
White pushes 8.e5, attacking the f6 knight and offering a pawn. When Black takes with 8...dxe5, the queens face each other, and 9.Bxf7+ drags the king away so 10.Qxd8 wins the queen.
Where it goes next
- Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack3.Bb5 · 12,331 games
- Open3.d4 · 11,981 games
- Portsmouth Gambit3.b4 · 932 games
- Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, Kharlov-Kramnik Line3.Nc3 · rare
- Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Gurgenidze Variation3.Bb5 · rare
- Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation3.d4 · rare
How to play against it
As White, pick one answer and learn it well: 3.d4 for open play, 3.Bb5 for a calmer game with structural ideas. If you play 3.Bb5, castle before trading on c6. Avoid slow pawn moves that let Black play ...e5 and park a knight on d4.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian?
The Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6. Its ECO code is B30.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.26 at depth 20, which is level. In 37,384 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.8%. Suits Black players who want a flexible Sicilian and are ready to face 3.Bb5 as often as 3.d4.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian?
Black develops the knight first and keeps the pawn setup flexible. White decides the character of the game with 3.d4, 3.Bb5 or 3.Nc3, and Black needs an answer to each.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Bb5, with d4 and Nc3 close behind. 3.Bb5 pressures the c6 knight, which guards d4 and e5, and keeps a trade on c6 as an option.
Related lines
- Sicilian Defense
- Bowdler Attack
- Closed
- Alapin Variation
- Modern Variations
- McDonnell Attack
- How to beat the Sicilian Defenseguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.