What is the Sicilian Defense?
After e4, Black replies c5. Like e5, the pawn controls d4, but it does not mirror White's center.
The most common continuation is the Open Sicilian. White plays Nf3, and after a second move such as d6, opens the center with d4. Black takes with cxd4, trading a side pawn for a center pawn. Black then has two center pawns against one, and a half-open c-file. In return, White gets more space and faster development, and often attacks on the kingside. This imbalance is why Sicilian games are so rich and double-edged.
History
Giulio Cesare Polerio analysed the Sicilian in the late 16th century, and the opening is named after the island of Sicily. For a long time it was not very popular. In the 20th century it became the most popular answer to e4 at master level. Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov are among its most famous players.
Key ideas
For Black
- Counterplay on the queenside and along the half-open c-file.
- Pawn breaks with the d-pawn in the center and the b-pawn on the queenside.
- The extra center pawn often becomes important later in the game and in endgames.
For White
- Use the lead in development and the extra space to attack the black king.
- Use outposts such as d5 for the knights.
Main variations
Open Sicilian
- Najdorf Variation: a6
- Dragon Variation: g6
- Scheveningen Variation: e6
- Sveshnikov Variation: Nc6 and later e5
- Taimanov Variation: e6 and Nc6
- Kan Variation: e6 and a6
Anti-Sicilians. Many White players avoid the Open Sicilian and its deep theory:
- Alapin Variation: c3
- Closed Sicilian: Nc3, usually followed by a kingside fianchetto
- Smith–Morra Gambit: d4 cxd4 c3
- Rossolimo Variation: Nf3 Nc6 Bb5
- Moscow Variation: Nf3 d6 Bb5+