Russian GM Andrey Esipenko created a tier list of defenses for the black pieces in a video on the Virtus.pro Chess channel on February 4. Esipenko highlighted the strengths of openings such as the Caro–Kann, Sicilian, French, and Petrov’s Defense, and noted that Alekhine’s Defense requires special preparation.

Andrey Esipenko

Andrey Esipenko

Russian GM

“Let’s start with the Caro–Kann Defense. I would put it in S-tier. It’s a really good opening that I have used a lot and continue to use even at the elite level. For example, Firouzja plays it quite often, and almost all top players regularly turn to it.

The Petrov’s Defense I would put in S-tier. It’s a truly ‘fireproof’ opening. Unlike the Caro-Kann, non-standard positions arise less often here. This is an opening for pros who are prepared to defend for a long time.

The Sicilian Defense is, of course, S-tier. The moves ‘e5’ and ‘c5’ are historically considered the two strongest responses to ‘e4’. It’s an incredibly rich and interesting opening that often leads to sharp and aggressive positions. I really like it — a magnificent opening!

The French Defense is currently experiencing a renaissance. When I was growing up, it definitely was not considered an S-tier opening. But times have changed, computers have become much stronger, and the French Defense has simply become an excellent opening.

I would place Alekhine’s Defense either on par with the Scandinavian or slightly below it — in B-tier. This opening doesn’t lose, but it requires a specific understanding.”

The full tier list from Esipenko:

Tier Defenses for black pieces
S-Tier Caro–Kann, Petrov’s, Sicilian, French, Slav, Semi-Slav
A-Tier Scandinavian, Pirc, Philidor
B-Tier Alekhine’s

The openings reviewed in the video are among the most popular openings for the black pieces, played millions of times both in online chess and in over-the-board tournaments. The Sicilian Defense is widely considered the most popular and statistically successful opening for Black.