The with g6, Fianchetto is a variation of the Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation, catalogued as ECO B31. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
On the Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation generally: An Anti-Sicilian where White plays 3.Bb5, pinning the knight and avoiding the heavily theoretical Open Sicilian. Popular at all levels.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 3 Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation variations →
The with g6, Fianchetto goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5. It is a variation of the Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation and is catalogued as ECO B31.
The with g6, Fianchetto is ECO B31. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5 at +0.16 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.