Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Sicilian Defense: Quinteros Variation

The Quinteros Variation is 2...Qc7, an early queen move that covers e5 and keeps the c-pawn protected. Black wants to see White's setup before choosing ...e6 or ...Nc6, while White aims to use the lost time with c3 and d4 for a big center.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Qc7
ECO
B27
Engine
+0.76 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
165 games in our lichess sample
White scores
45.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 3.c3 and d4, as in the top engine line, and recapture with the c-pawn to build a two-pawn center.
  • After 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3, White offers a pawn; after ...dxc3 Nxc3, Nd5 gains time on the queen.
  • Nc3 and d4 lead to an Open Sicilian where the queen on c7 can be hit by knight jumps to b5 or d5.

Black

  • Follow with ...e6 and ...a6, a Kan-style setup where the queen already stands on c7.
  • Against c3 and d4, answer with ...d5 to challenge e4 before White completes development.
  • Develop ...Nc6 quickly so the queen does not have to move again in the opening.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's queen move is useful in some setups but costs flexibility. White's simplest plan is c3 and d4, taking back on d4 with a pawn for a two-pawn center, then Bd3 and castling. Black aims for ...e6, ...a6 and ...d5, which can lead to an isolated pawn after exd5 exd5. In Open Sicilian lines, White uses knight jumps to b5 and d5 to hit the queen and gain time.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.76: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.76 3.c3 e6 4.d4 a6 5.Bd3 d5
  2. +0.62 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3 dxc3 5.Nxc3 Nc6
  3. +0.47 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 e6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

165 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 45.2%.

1200–159943.6%
1600–199938.5%
2000 and up60.5%

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

How to play against it

As White, use the tempo: play c3 and d4, or an Open Sicilian with Nc3, and look for knight moves that hit the c7 queen. Do not play passively with d3, which turns ...Qc7 into a useful move instead of a lost tempo.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Quinteros Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Quinteros Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Qc7. Its ECO code is B27.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Quinteros Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.76 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. An offbeat choice for Black players who know the Kan setups, but White gets an easy plan and a pleasant center.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Quinteros Variation?

Black puts the queen on c7 early to control e5 and wait. White should grab the center with c3 and d4 or open the game and gain time against the queen.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is c3, with d4 and Nc3 close behind. 3.c3 prepares d4 with a pawn recapture, building the center while the queen sits on c7.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.