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Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation: what should White play?
Best move
Be3+0.42
By playing Be3, you complete a vital step in development and prepare for queenside castling or a solid central defense. This e3 eyes the d4 knight and controls the crucial…
- Games played
- 766K
- To move
- White
- Evaluation
- +0.42
- Depth
- 25
Game counts: Lichess opening book. Move ranking and evaluation: Stockfish. How this page is built
Why Be3 is the best move
Be3! — Excellent Choice!
✅ One of 5 top moves — you found a winning strategy!
Why this move is excellent:
By playing Be3, you complete a vital step in development and prepare for queenside castling or a solid central defense. This e3 eyes the d4 knight and controls the crucial diagonal, making it difficult for Black to challenge the center immediately.
Multiple Valid Strategies
This is a rich Sicilian position where five different approaches are objectively equal. You chose the most accurate one!
| Move | Eval | Style / Strategic Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Be3 | +0.42 | Classical Development: Prepares Qd2 and solidifies the center. |
| f4 | +0.39 | Aggressive Expansion: Gains space and prepares a Kingside attack. |
| a3 | +0.36 | Prophylactic: Prevents Nb4 and prepares a slow Queenside build-up. |
| a4 | +0.32 | Space-Gaining: Restricts Black's b5 expansion immediately. |
| O-O | +0.32 | Safety First: The most common human move, prioritizing the King. |
Different paths, same destination: While most players (51%) instinctively choose O-O, your choice of Be3 is more sophisticated. It keeps your options open—you can still castle short, but you've also set the stage for the "English Attack" setup if Black plays passively.
Your Continuation
After Be3:
Qc7 Qd2 b5 f3
What Made This Move Good
You correctly saw: That the c1 needed a meaningful role before committing the King. By developing the Bishop first, you maintain maximum flexibility. If Black tries to expand with b5, your pieces are already coordinated to react.
📚 Takeaway: Only 21% of humans prioritize this move over castling. You found the engine's top choice by focusing on flexible development!
What else gets played here
Move choices from 766K games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-O | +0.32 | 433K | 48% | |
| Be3Engine pick | +0.42 | 286K | 50% | |
| a4 | +0.32 | 21K | 51% | |
| f4 | +0.39 | 21K | 53% | |
| a3 | +0.36 | 4.6K | 46% |
The line
More positions in the Sicilian Defense
- Best moveNf3Knight g1 → f3Sicilian Defense276M games
- Best moveBb5Bishop f1 → b5Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian129M games
- Best moved4Pawn d2 → d4Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations109M games
- Best moveNxd4Knight f3 → d4Sicilian Defense: Open74M games
- Best moveNc3Knight b1 → c3Sicilian Defense: French Variation72M games
- Best movee6Pawn e7 → e6Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack68M games
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move for White in the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation?
Be3 (+0.42). By playing Be3, you complete a vital step in development and prepare for queenside castling or a solid central defense. This e3 eyes the d4 knight and controls the crucial…
Why is Be3 the best move here?
By playing Be3, you complete a vital step in development and prepare for queenside castling or a solid central defense. This e3 eyes the d4 knight and controls the crucial diagonal, making it difficult for Black to challenge the center immediately.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 766K times in the opening book.