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: Alapin Variation
1. e4 c5 2. c3
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Anti-Alapin Gambit
1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Nf6
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense
1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange
1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation
1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Nc3 Bxf3 8. gxf3 Qxd4 9. Qxd4 Nxd4
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Milner-Barry Attack
1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nc6 5. Nf3 cxd4 6. cxd4 e5 7. Nc3 Bb4 8. Be2
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Modern Line
1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Smith-Morra Declined
1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack
1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line
1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 c4 7. Bc2 Qc7 8. Qe2 g5
Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Nf6
Sicilian Defense: Heidenfeld Variation
1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Na3