Opening Overview
Sicilian Defense
381 linesAbout 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: Nimzowitsch Variation, Main Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nc3 e6 5. Nxd5 exd5 6. d4 Nc6
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, Kharlov-Kramnik Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 d6 6. Nd2 Bg5
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, with Nf6
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 Nf6
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, with d6
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 d6
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Brooklyn Retreat Defense
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nb8
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, San Francisco Gambit
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Na5 4. b4
Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6
Sicilian Defense: Portsmouth Gambit
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. b4
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation, Gufeld Gambit
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 e5 6. d4