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, Pin Defense
B21 12 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Bb4
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Scheveningen Formation
B21 12 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 e6
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Siberian Variation
B21 12 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Qc7
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Siberian Variation, Siberian Trap
B21 16 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 Qc7 7. Qe2 Nf6 8. O-O Ng4
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Sozin Formation
B21 16 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
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Taimanov Formation
B21 12 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Bc4 a6 6. Nf3 Ne7
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Alapin Formation
B21 6 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Nf6
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Center Formation
B21 6 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 e5
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Dubois Variation
B21 7 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d3 4. c4
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Push Variation
B21 6 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d3
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Scandinavian Formation
B21 6 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 d5
Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Declined, Wing Formation
B21 6 plies
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Qa5
← Back