Sicilian defence facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sicilian Defence

a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Moves	1.e4 c5
ECO	B20–B99
Origin	Giulio Cesare Polerio, 1594
Named after	Sicily
Parent	King's Pawn Game

The Sicilian Defence is a very popular chess opening. It starts with these moves:

1. e4 c5

This means White moves their king's pawn two squares forward (e4), and Black responds by moving their c-pawn two squares forward (c5). The Sicilian is the most common and successful way for Black to respond to White's 1.e4 move. It's so good that it makes 1.e4 a little less successful for White compared to other first moves like 1.d4. About 17% of all games between top chess players (grandmasters) start with the Sicilian Defence.

Grandmaster John Nunn says the Sicilian is popular because it's "combative." This means Black isn't just trying to be equal, but to get an advantage. The challenge is that White often gets to attack first. So, Black has to be careful not to get quickly defeated. The Sicilian Defence was first written about in the late 1500s by Italian chess players Giulio Polerio and Gioachino Greco.

What is the Sicilian Defence?

When Black plays 1...c5, they move their c-pawn two squares. This helps Black control the d4-square in the center. This move is similar to 1...e5, which is another common response to 1.e4. However, 1...c5 makes the position asymmetrical. This means the board isn't a mirror image for both players. This difference greatly affects how both players will play.

White, who moved a pawn on the kingside (the right side of the board from White's view), often gets to attack first on that side. But Black's 1...c5 move doesn't help develop pieces right away. Other moves like 1...e5 or 1...Nc6 develop a piece or get ready to. In many Sicilian games, Black makes more pawn moves early on (like ...d6, ...e6, ...a6, and ...b5). Because of this, White often gets to develop their pieces faster and can create dangerous attacks.

Meanwhile, Black's pawn move on the queenside (the left side of the board from White's view) gives them more space there. This helps Black plan future moves on that side. Often, Black's c5-pawn is traded for White's d4-pawn early in the game. This gives Black a pawn majority (more pawns) in the center. This pawn trade also opens the c-file (a column on the board) for Black. Black can then put a rook or queen on this file to help with attacks on the queenside. White often castles on the queenside to attack on the kingside. But this puts White's king on the side where Black has more space.

A Brief History of the Sicilian Defence

The Sicilian Defence was first studied by Giulio Polerio in 1594. Back then, it wasn't called the 'Sicilian Defence.' Other players like Alessandro Salvio and Gioachino Greco also looked at it. In 1777, the French player François-André Danican Philidor thought it was a good defensive opening to test an opponent.

In 1813, the English master Jacob Henry Sarratt named it 'the Sicilian Defence.' He found an old Italian paper that called it 'il gioco siciliano' (the Sicilian game). The Sicilian was quite popular in the 1800s. Many strong players like Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais and Howard Staunton used it. Staunton even said it was "the best possible reply to 1.P-K4 [1.e4]."

However, the opening became less popular in the late 1800s. Some top players, like Paul Morphy and the first World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz, didn't like it. They thought it was too defensive and created too many weak spots for Black.

At the start of the 1900s, most leading players still avoided the Sicilian. José Raúl Capablanca, a World Champion, famously said Black's game was "full of holes." But some strong players, like Emanuel Lasker (another World Champion), Frank Marshall, and Aron Nimzowitsch, did play it.

The Sicilian's popularity grew again in the 1940s and 1950s. Players like Isaac Boleslavsky and Miguel Najdorf helped make it stronger. Reuben Fine, a top player, noted that while White could get brilliant wins, Black could also win brilliantly. He said Black's position "has been able to take everything and come back for more."

Later, World Champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov used the Sicilian Defence a lot. They liked its aggressive style. Because of their success, the Sicilian became known as the best way for Black to play for a win against 1.e4. Today, most top grandmasters use the Sicilian. It is the most played and studied opening at all levels of chess.

Open Sicilian: 2.Nf3 and 3.d4

About 80% of master-level games that start with 1.e4 c5 continue with 2.Nf3. After this, Black has three main choices: 2...d6, 2...Nc6, and 2...e6. When White then plays 3.d4, these are called the Open Sicilian lines. They lead to very complex positions where the game is "open," meaning there are many lines for pieces to move. White usually develops faster and has more space on the kingside, which they can use to attack. Black balances this with more pawns in the center (after trading White's d-pawn for Black's c-pawn) and an open c-file. Black uses this to create counterattacks on the queenside.

a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h 2.Nf3 d6

a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h 2.Nf3 Nc6

a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h 2.Nf3 e6

Black's 2...d6 Response

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3

Black's most common move after 2.Nf3 is 2...d6. This move gets ready to play ...Nf6, which attacks White's e-pawn without letting White push it to e5. The game usually continues 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3. Black then has four main choices: the Najdorf, Dragon, Classical, and Scheveningen variations.

Najdorf Variation: 5...a6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Najdorf Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6

The Najdorf Variation is Black's most popular system in the Sicilian. Miguel Najdorf wanted to play 5...a6 to prepare ...e5 on the next move. This would gain space in the center. If Black plays 5...e5 right away, White can play 6.Bb5+, which causes problems for Black.

By playing 5...a6, Black stops White from checking on b5. This makes ...e5 possible later. Also, 5...a6 stops White's knights from using the b5-square. It also helps Black prepare for queenside play by getting ready to push the ...b5 pawn.

A strong attacking idea for White is 6.Be3, called the English Attack. English grandmasters like Murray Chandler made it popular in the 1980s. White plans to play f3, Qd2, castle queenside (0-0-0), and g4. Black can respond with 6...e6, 6...e5, or 6...Ng4.

Dragon Variation: 5...g6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Dragon Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6

In the Dragon Variation, Black moves a bishop to g7. This is called a fianchetto. It was named by Fyodor Dus-Chotimirsky in 1901. He thought Black's kingside pawn shape looked like the stars in the Draco constellation.

White's most dangerous attack against the Dragon is the Yugoslav Attack. This involves 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6. Then White often plays 9.0-0-0. This variation leads to very sharp and complicated games. Both players castle on opposite sides of the board. The game becomes a race: White tries to attack Black's king on the kingside, while Black tries to attack White's king on the queenside.

Classical Variation: 5...Nc6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Classical Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6

This variation can happen in two ways. Black develops the queen's knight (Nc6) before the king's bishop. White's most common reply is 6.Bg5, called the Richter–Rauzer Attack. This move threatens to create doubled pawns for Black if White captures the knight on f6. After 6...e6, White often plays Qd2 and castles queenside (0-0-0). White's pressure on Black's d6-pawn often forces Black to recapture on f6 with a pawn (gxf6). This can weaken Black's kingside pawn structure. But in return, Black gets two bishops and more pawns in the center.

Another option for White is 6.Bc4, the Sozin Variation. This moves the bishop to an aggressive square. Black usually plays 6...e6 to limit the bishop's power. White can then put pressure on the e6-pawn by pushing the f-pawn to f5. White can castle kingside (7.Bb3 a6 8.0-0) or queenside (7.Be3 Be7 8.Qe2 and 9.0-0-0).

Scheveningen Variation: 5...e6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Scheveningen Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6

In the Scheveningen Variation, Black places the e-pawn on e6. This pawn guards the d5-square. It also prepares to develop the bishop to e7 and then castle kingside. In response, Paul Keres introduced 6.g4, the Keres Attack, in 1943. White wants to push the g-pawn to g5 to chase away Black's knight. If Black plays 6...h6 to stop this, White gains space on the kingside and makes it harder for Black to castle there. White might also play Bg2 later. If White doesn't want the complicated game after 6.g4, a common alternative is 6.Be2.

Black's 2...Nc6 Response

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4

2...Nc6 is a natural move that develops a piece. It also prepares ...Nf6, stopping White from playing e5. After 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4, Black's most common move is 4...Nf6. Other important moves are 4...e6 (leading to the Taimanov Variation), 4...g6 (the Accelerated Dragon), and 4...e5 (the Kalashnikov Variation).

After 4...Nf6, White usually plays 5.Nc3. Black can then play 5...d6 (Classical Variation), 5...e5 (Sveshnikov Variation), or 5...e6 (Four Knights Variation).

Sveshnikov Variation: 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 e5

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Sveshnikov Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5

The Sveshnikov Variation was made popular by Evgeny Sveshnikov in the 1970s. The move 5...e5 seems risky because it leaves Black with a pawn that is "backward" on d6 and a weak d5-square. Also, Black might have to accept "doubled f-pawns" later. However, Sveshnikov saw that Black gets a strong position in the center and gains time by chasing White's knight. This opening is now very popular among top players and amateurs. It is considered a strong defense.

The main line continues: 6. Ndb5

This move is important because it threatens to check Black's king with Nd6+. Other moves usually give Black an easier game.

6...d6

Black stops White from playing 7.Nd6+ Bxd6 8.Qxd6, which would give White an advantage with their two bishops.

7. Bg5

White prepares to capture the knight on f6, which would further weaken Black's control over the d5-square.

7...a6

Black forces White's knight to move back to a3.

8. Na3

If White captures on f6 right away (8.Bxf6), Black must recapture with a pawn (8...gxf6). Then White plays 9.Na3, and Black can continue with 9...b5 or 9...f5!?.

8...b5!

This move was Sveshnikov's new idea. It controls c4 and threatens to fork White's knights with ...b4. This whole line up to 8...b5 is called the Chelyabinsk Variation.

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Chelyabinsk Variation: 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5

The Sveshnikov Variation is very popular with top players like Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik. Black's ...e5 move seems risky because it creates a backward pawn on d6 and a weak d5-square. But in return, Black gets a strong position in the center and gains time by forcing White's knight to the edge of the board.

Accelerated Dragon: 4...g6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Accelerated Dragon: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6

Like the regular Dragon Variation, Black develops the bishop to g7 in the Accelerated Dragon. The difference is that Black avoids playing ...d7–d6. This means Black can sometimes play ...d7–d5 in one move later. For example, if White tries the Yugoslav Attack style with 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2, Black can play 8...d5! and immediately make the game equal.

The main challenge for Black in this line is if White plays 5.c4, which is called the Maróczy Bind. White tries to make Black's position cramped by stopping the ...d7–d5 and ...b7–b5 pawn pushes. This line is less about quick attacks and more about careful strategic moves. After 5.c4, the main line is 5...Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3, and Black usually plays 7...0-0 or 7...Ng4.

Kalashnikov Variation: 4...e5 5.Nb5 d6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Kalashnikov Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6

The Kalashnikov Variation is similar to the Sveshnikov Variation. It's sometimes called the Neo-Sveshnikov. The move 4...e5 has been played for a long time. In this line, Black accepts a backward pawn on d6 and a weak d5-square. But Black gains time by chasing White's knight. The difference from the Sveshnikov is that Black hasn't developed the knight to f6 yet, and White hasn't brought a knight to c3. This gives both players more options.

Black's 2...e6 Response

Black's move 2...e6 focuses on developing the dark-squared bishop. After 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4, Black has three main moves: 4...Nc6 (the Taimanov Variation), 4...a6 (the Kan Variation), and 4...Nf6. If Black plays 4...Nf6, White usually plays 5.Nc3. Then Black can play 5...d6 (Scheveningen Variation), 5...Nc6 (Four Knights Variation), or 5...Bb4 (Pin Variation).

Taimanov Variation: 4...Nc6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Taimanov Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6

Named after Mark Taimanov, the Taimanov Variation can be reached in a couple of ways. Black develops the knight to a good square and keeps options open for other pieces. One idea is to develop the king's bishop to b4 or c5. White can stop this with 5.Nb5 d6. Then 6.c4 leads to a version of the Maróczy Bind.

Kan (Paulsen) Variation: 4...a6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Kan Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6

Named after Ilya Kan, this variation starts with 4...a6. Black plays this to prevent White's knight from going to b5. It also prepares to advance the ...b5 pawn later. White's most common fifth move is 5.Bd3. After 5...Bc5 6.Nb3, Black can either move the bishop back to 6...Be7 or to 6...Ba7. White can also play 5.c4 to create a Maróczy Bind.

White's second most popular reply is 5.Nc3. Black often focuses on developing the kingside knight. Playing ...Nf6 can be met with e5, which creates a weakness on d6 for Black. So Black usually plays a move to control the e5-square and stop the pawn from moving forward. The main Kan move is 5...Qc7.

Four Knights Variation: 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Four Knights Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6

The Four Knights Variation is often used to reach the main line of the Sveshnikov Variation. This move order helps Black avoid certain lines, like the Rossolimo Variation. However, in the Four Knights move order, White gets an extra option: 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4. This means White doesn't have to play into the Sveshnikov.

If Black isn't aiming for the Sveshnikov, a main alternative is to play 6...Bb4 in response to 6.Ndb5. Then, after 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 d5 9.exd5 exd5, Black gives up the two bishops. But Black gets active pieces and can play ...d5–d4 later.

Pin Variation: 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Pin Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4

The Pin Variation (also called the Sicilian Counter-Attack) is considered a bit risky. But if White isn't ready, the tactics can be hard to figure out during a game. After 6.e5!, Black has a few choices. For example, 6...Nd5 7.Bd2 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Be7 9.Qg4. Here, Black either has to weaken the kingside with 9...g6 or give up a rook for a knight with 9...0-0 10.Bh6 g6.

White's Other Third Moves (without 3.d4)

White can play 2.Nf3 without planning to follow up with 3.d4. These systems are usually called Anti-Sicilians.

Moscow Variation: 3.Bb5+

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Moscow Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+

After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6, White's most important alternative to 3.d4 is 3.Bb5+. This is known as the Moscow Variation. Grandmasters sometimes choose this to avoid complex opening theory. Black can block the check with 3...Bd7, 3...Nc6, or 3...Nd7. The most common is 3...Bd7. After 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7, White can either castle kingside (5.0-0) and then play c3 and d4, or play 5.c4, similar to the Maróczy Bind.

Rossolimo Variation: 3.Bb5

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Rossolimo Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5

The Rossolimo Variation, 3.Bb5, is a well-respected alternative to 3.d4. It is named after Nicolas Rossolimo. White often plans to play Bxc6, which gives Black doubled pawns. Black's main responses are 3...g6 (preparing ...Bg7), 3...d6 (preparing ...Bd7), and 3...e6 (preparing 4...Nge7). Top players like Fabiano Caruana use this line.

White's Second Move Alternatives

After 1.e4 c5, White has other popular moves besides 2.Nf3 and 2.Nc3.

Alapin Variation: 2.c3

2.c3 is the Alapin Variation. White wants to build a strong pawn center with 3.d4. So, Black should immediately counter in the center with 2...Nf6 or 2...d5.

The line 2...Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 is similar to Alekhine's Defence. But with c3 and ...c5 included, it's better for Black. White can then play 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nf3. Black can choose between 5...e6 and 5...Nc6.

The other main line is 2...d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3. Black's main options are 5...e6 and 5...Bg4. In this line, White often ends up with an isolated queen's pawn after pawns are traded.

Grand Prix Attack: 2.f4

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Closed Sicilian (Grand Prix Attack): 1.e4 c5 2.f4

2.f4 is the Grand Prix Attack. Black's best response is 2...d5 3.exd5 Nf6!, known as the Tal Gambit. This has made the immediate 2.f4 less popular. White can also avoid the gambit with 3.Nc3. Players often enter the Grand Prix Attack by playing 2.Nc3 first, then 3.f4. The modern main line is 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7. Here, White can play the positional 5.Bb5, threatening to double Black's pawns. Or, White can play the more aggressive 5.Bc4, aiming for a kingside attack.

Smith–Morra Gambit: 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Smith–Morra Gambit: 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3

2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 is the Smith–Morra Gambit. Black can decline it by playing 3...Nf6 or 3...d5, which leads to the c3 line. But accepting it with 3...dxc3 is the main idea. After 4.Nxc3, White is usually considered not to have enough compensation for the pawn. However, it can be dangerous for Black if they are not prepared, as there are many traps.

Closed Sicilian: 2.Nc3

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Closed Sicilian (Main line): 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6

2.Nc3 is White's second most common move against 1.e4 c5. Black's choices are similar to those for 2.Nf3, with ...Nc6 being the most common, along with ...e6 and ...d6. The main line of the Closed Sicilian is 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6. White's main options are 6.Be3 (followed by Qd2 and possibly 0-0-0) and 6.f4 (followed by Nf3 and 0-0).

Images for kids

• 

  A friendly robot.

See also

• List of chess openings
• List of chess openings named after places