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: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted
B21 6 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Chicago Defense
B21 14 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 d6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. O-O a6
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Chicago Defense
B21 18 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nf3 d6 7. O-O a6 8. Qe2 b5 9. Bb3 Ra7
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Classical Formation
B21 14 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Nf6
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Danish Variation
B21 7 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nf3
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Fianchetto Defense
B21 10 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 g6
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense
B21 16 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Be7 8. Qe2 Nf6
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Kan Formation
B21 10 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Nf3 a6
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Larsen Defense
B21 16 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Qc7 7. Qe2 a6 8. O-O Bd6
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Morphy Defense
B21 12 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Bc5
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Morphy Defense Deferred
B21 16 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O b5 8. Bb3 Bc5
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Paulsen Formation
B21 12 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 a6
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