Opening Overview

Sicilian Defense

381 lines
black repertoire

About This Opening

Black answers 1.e4 asymmetrically and aims for dynamic counterplay on the queenside and center.

The opening's main value is its characteristic move order, which helps steer the game toward familiar structures and plans.

When studying it, focus on the first forcing decisions, the main branching points, and the kind of middlegames the opening is designed to reach.

Key ideas
  • Typical theme: recognize the key move order early.
  • Learn the first critical branching decisions.
  • Best for players who want a repeatable repertoire line.
  • Understand the resulting pawn structure and piece placement.

Choose a variation

Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Lutikov Gambit
B31 11 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 Nf6 6. d4
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Totsky Attack
B31 11 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Qa4
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Gurgenidze Variation
B31 11 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5 6. b4
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
B32 8 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6
Sicilian Defense: Flohr Variation
B32 8 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7
Sicilian Defense: Franco-Sicilian Variation
B32 6 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 e6
Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation
B32 8 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qb6
Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation
B32 10 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6
Sicilian Defense: Löwenthal Variation
B32 8 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5
Sicilian Defense: Nimzo-American Variation
B32 8 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 d5
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Geller Line
B32 10 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. c4 e5
Sicilian Defense: Open
B32 5 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4
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