The Moscow Variation, Moscow Gambit is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B51. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 a6 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. d4 Bxe4 9. Bg5, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after nine moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has the bishop pair.
On the Sicilian Defense generally: The most popular and aggressive response to 1.e4. Black fights for the center asymmetrically, leading to rich tactical play.
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The Moscow Variation, Moscow Gambit goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 a6 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. d4 Bxe4 9. Bg5. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B51.
The Moscow Variation, Moscow Gambit is ECO B51. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 a6 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. d4 Bxe4 9. Bg5 at +0.01 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has the bishop pair.