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: O'Kelly Variation
B28 4 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Aronin System
B28 5 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. Be2
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Kieseritzky System
B28 5 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. b3
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind
B28 5 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c4
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Paulsen Line
B28 6 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c4 e6
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Robatsch Line
B28 6 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c4 d6
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System
B28 5 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d4
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Cortlever Gambit
B28 7 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Bc4
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Smith-Morra Line
B28 7 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d4 cxd4 4. c3
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Taimanov Line
B28 8 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Zagorovsky Line
B28 7 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Quiet System
B28 5 plies
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d3
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