Sicilian Defense

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Sicilian Defense
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Trains 1. e2-e4 c7-c5
ECO key B20-B99
Named after Sicily
Oldest source Giulio Polerio , 1594

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The Sicilian Defense is an opening of the game of chess . It is one of the semi-open games and is classified in the ECO codes under the keys B20 to B99.

The Sicilian Defense begins with the moves:

1. e2-e4 c7-c5

It is very often continued with the moves 2. Ng1 – f3 and 2.… Nb8 – c6 / e7 – e6 / d7 – d6 followed by 3. d2 – d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 and divided into numerous variants. The opening is around four to five hundred years old and was first documented in Italy .

According to the textbook of the game of chess, this opening often leads to a "sharp fight". In tournament practice, the "Sicilian" enjoys great popularity at both club player and grandmaster level. Many grandmasters regularly use the Sicilian defense with the black pieces in order to be able to put the game on profit from the asymmetry of the initial moves. The most famous Sicilian players were Bobby Fischer and Garri Kasparow , who were instrumental in constant renewals and improvements to the old defense.

A basic concept of the Sicilian defense is for Black to attack via the half-open c-file and on the queenside, while White tries to penetrate on the kingside and in the center. Black seeks counterplay and does not primarily ensure the safety of his king.

The most popular variants of the Sicilian Defense are the dragon variant (which, however, is now rarely played in the absolute world elite), the Najdorf variant and the Sveshnikov variant .

The main continuation 2. Ng1 – f3

Usually after 1. e2 – e4 c7 – c5 White plays the main move 2. Ng1 – f3 . The main continuation options for Black are now

  • 2.… Nb8 – c6,
  • 2.… e7 – e6 and
  • 2.… d7 – d6,

which is usually followed by the open variant 3. d2 – d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4. The exchange of the black c-pawn for the white d-pawn is characteristic of the Sicilian Defense, and this change in the pawn structure dictates the future strategy of both parties. Black has one more pawn in the center and thus a small but important positional advantage. For Black it is often a matter of enforcing d6 – d5 under favorable conditions. Then Black has the only remaining central pawn, his e-pawn. To make black d6 – d5 as difficult as possible, systems with 6. Bc1 – g5 were developed. See Najdorf variant and Richter-Rauser variant . 6. Bf1 – c4 has similar motivations. See Sosin variant and dragon variant . The game sometimes branches out into a fight for the knights on c3 and f6 who support the center. The exchange sacrifice of black on the field c3 via the half-open c-file can to be sometimes necessary.

White can bring all of the minor pieces into play relatively easily and will therefore be able to complete his development faster than Black. This lead in development and the space advantage of the white in the center over the longer-term positional advantage of the black often determines the further struggle, the severity of which is not only strategic in nature.

2.… Nb8 – c6

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Position after 2.… Nb8 – c6 3. d2 – d4 cxd4 4. Nf3xd4

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Black develops a knight, prevents e4 – e5 and thus prepares Ng8 – f6. 3. Bf1 – b5 is the Rossolimo variant . Usually, however, White answers with 3. d2 – d4 cxd4 4. Nf3xd4. Black can now choose between several variants:

Sveshnikov variant

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6 5. Nb1-c3 e7-e5

This is the basic position of the Sveshnikov variant, mostly it is continued with 6. Nd4 – b5 d7 – d6 7. Bc1 – g5 a7 – a6 8. Nb5 – a3 b7 – b5. The idea is to gain counterplay in the center. As a result, a fight often develops over the d5-square, which White wants to keep occupied with a piece and exert pressure on d6 via the d-file, while Black wants to exchange this piece and force White to capture with the pawn on d5 and so to close the d-line.

Kalashnikov variant

  • 3. d2 – d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 e7 – e5

is a relative of the Svezhnikov variant, in which Black does without the move Ng8 – f6 and instead develops the knight over e7. One example is Anand - Rəcəbov, Dortmund 2003 .

Accelerated dragon variant

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 g7-g6

The accelerated dragon variant differs from the classic dragon variant in that Black has not yet played d7 – d6. This can be an advantage, as Black saves a tempo with a direct d7 – d5 compared to d7 – d6 – d5 . On the other hand, White is given the opportunity to continue with 5. c2 – c4 (the Maróczy structure, named after Géza Maróczy ), since Nb1 – c3 has not yet been played. White does not have to make use of this, but can continue with 5. Nb1 – c3. If White tries to continue with 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. f3 0–0 8. Qd2, then 8.… d5 is the same! however immediately off. White usually continues after 5. Nc3 with 5.… Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 0–0 8. Bb3 (avoids all tricks like… Nxe4 and… d5) and casts mostly briefly.

Rossolimo variant

  • 3. Bf1-b5

White avoids 3. d2 – d4 and the numerous theoretical entanglements that result from it. White is ready to be bishop pair against the deterioration of the black pawn structure by a double farmers give away on c6.

The most common continuations include 3.… g7 – g6, 3.… e7 – e6 and 3.… d7 – d6.

3.… e7 – e6 plans Ng8 – e7. Now an immediate 4. Bb5xc6 is appropriate to worsen Black's pawn structure with a double pawn. It happened several times in the 2012 World Chess Championship .

2.… e7 – e6

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Position after 2.… e7 – e6 3. d2 – d4 cxd4 4. Nf3xd4

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2.… e7 – e6 enables the bishop f8 to develop quickly. After 3. d2 – d4 cxd4 4. Nf3xd4 Black has several options:

Taimanow variant

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Nb8-c6

This variant, named after Mark Taimanow , is one of the most solid construction options for black. Usually it continues with 5. Nd4 – b5 or 5. Nb1 – c3. The basic idea of ​​the Taimanow variant is the exchange of knights on d4 and the development of the king knight over e7 to c6. After 5. Nd4 – b5 d7 – d6 6. c2 – c4 White achieves a kind of Maróczy build-up. The Kasparov Gambit occurred there. Otherwise, the Maróczy construction after 6.… Ng8 – f6 7. Nb1 – c3 a7 – a6 8. Nb5 – a3 Bf8 – e7 or 8.… b7 – b6 leads to a hedgehog position .

Paulsen variant

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 a7-a6

Also known as the Kan variant in many linguistic areas , this variant by Louis Paulsen is one of the most flexible options. Black waits to see how White develops his figures and then reacts accordingly. The most frequent answers given by the white player include 5. c2 – c4, 5. Nb1 – c3 and 5. Bf1 – d3. Characteristic is the development of the black bishop after c5 or b4, from where he attacks the white center directly or indirectly.

Basman sale variant

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Bf8-c5

This unusual rotor design case of Valeri Bronznik in his book Sicilian for idlers on this system as Basman -Sale variant designated as both players often inserting these rare bishop move successfully in practice. The bishop is actively positioned and exerts pressure on d4 and also indirectly on f2. It is a sharp alternative to the main systems, although rarely found in top chess.

Sicilian attack

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6 5. Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4

now White can be very strong with 6. e4 – e5! continue with an attack on the exposed kingside after 6.… Nf6 – d5 7. Qd1 – g4. The variant is very sharp, but is rarely played.

Sicilian four knights game

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6 5. Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6

6. Nd4 – b5 d7 – d6 7. Bc1 – f4 e6 – e5 8. Bf4 – g5 leads to the main line of the Sveshnikov line . 6.… Bf8 – b4 7. a2 – a3 Bb4xc3 + 8. Nb5xc3 d7 – d5 is the independent variant of the Sicilian four knights game.

2.… d7 – d6

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Position after 2.… d7 – d6 3. d2 – d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8 – f6 5. Nb1 – c3

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This is Black's most frequently played second move, for which many variants have been analyzed very deeply .

The move 2.… d7 – d6 prepares 3.… Ng8 – f6 by preventing e4 – e5. After 3. d2 – d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8 – f6 5. Nb1 – c3 Black can choose between several popular continuations:

After 2.… Nb8 – c6 Black also likes to play… e7 – e5 ( Sveshnikov variant or Kalashnikov variant ). After 2.… d7 – d6, however, 5.… e7 – e5 is a mistake: After 6. Bf1 – b5 +! White is better because he can gain control of the important d5 square, which can often be used as an outpost for a knight. The variant also explains why the Najdorf variant (5.… a7 – a6) is so popular: Since then 6. Bf1 – b5 + is not possible, Black can then make the move… e7 – e5.

However, White can also protect the e4 pawn with 5. f2 – f3 , the Prins variant ( ECO B55). Since the c-pawn is not adjusted in this way, White keeps the option of c2 – c4 open, the Maróczy setup. This sequel was u. a. elected by Magnus Carlsen in the 2016 World Chess Championship .

Classic Sicilian

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6 5. Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6

The classic variant of the Sicilian Defense gets its name from the "classic" development moves of the jumpers. In the ECO codes it is classified under the keys B56 to B59. There are countless ways to continue - the most popular are 6. Bc1 – g5 (the Richter-Rauser variant ) and 6. Bf1 – c4 (the Sosin variant - once often used by Bobby Fischer ).

6. Bf1 – e2, 6. g2 – g3, 6. Bc1 – e3, 6. f2 – f3 and 6. f2 – f4 are further options. 6. Bf1 – e2 e7 – e6 leads to the Scheveningen variant , 6. Bf1 – e2 g7 – g6 to the dragon variant . 6. Bf1 – e2 e7 – e5 is the Boleslawski variant .

The black knight c6 exerts pressure on the white knight d4 and modifies some of White's continuations compared to the Najdorf variant . After 6. g2 – g3, 6.… Bc8 – g4 complicates the situation. After the desirable 7. f2 – f3 White is forced to make a temporary pawn sacrifice 8. Qd1xd4 Bg4xf3 9. Bf1 – b5 + Nf6 – d7 through 7.… Nc6xd4. In the Boleslawski variant, after 7. Nd4 – b3 Bf8 – e7 8. 0–0 0–0 9. Bc1 – e3, black a-pawn can take the double step. 9.… a7 – a5 10. a2 – a4 offers the splendid Nc6 – b4 to enforce d6 – d5.

6. Bc1 – e3, which is meanwhile frequently played in the Najdorf variant , leads here after 6.… Nf6 – g4 either to the exchange 7th Nd4xc6 b7xc6, which strengthens Black's center, also to the double-edged exchange of Be3 after 7. Bf1 – b5 Ng4xe3 or to a modern Najdorf-like structure after 7. Be3 – g5 h7 – h6 8. Bg5 – h4 g7 – g5 9. Bh4 – g3.

Dragon variant

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6 5. Nb1-c3 g7-g6

The dragon variant is one of the most aggressive opening variants ever. When castling on different sides of a double-edged struggle can arise where both players are trying to attack the opponent's king positions. 6. Bc1 – e3 and 6. Bf1 – e2 are among the most important continuations. In this variant, White tries to open the h-file with h4 – h5-hxg6 and to exchange the important black king's bishop with Be3 – h6, while after Ra8 – c8, through the sacrifice on c3, Black may win the e4 pawn or attack the king must initiate the queenside against the long white castling. In the Yugoslav attack 6. Bc1 – e3 Bf8 – g7 7. f2 – f3 White will protect the pawn e4.

Scheveningen variant

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6 5. Nb1-c3 e7-e6

In the Scheveningen variant, the black initially builds up cautiously and seeks play on the queenside, sometimes with a pawn advance in the center. It is characteristic that Black gives up control of the g4-square with 5.… e7 – e6, which White can take advantage of with the moves 6. Bc1 – e3 or 6. g2 – g4.

6. Bc1 – e3 can be answered in the Najdorf Variation and in the “Classic Sicilian” with… Nf6 – g4. In addition, moves 6. Bf1 – e2, 6. f2 – f4, 6. g2 – g3 and 6. Bf1 – c4 come into consideration.

Najdorf variant

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The basic position of the Najdorf variant

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  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6 5. Nb1-c3 a7-a6

The Najdorf variant (named after Grand Master Miguel Najdorf ) is one of the most important and best-known variants of the entire opening theory. 6. Bc1 – g5, 6. Bc1 – e3 and 6. Bf1 – e2 are the most common lines. With 6. Bf1 – c4 the game can change into the Sosin variant , 6. g2 – g3 is a calm, positional continuation. Black often seeks a quick attack on the queenside by means of b7 – b5 – b4, which White wants to forestall with a pawn rush on the kingside (f2 – f4 – f5, g2 – g4 – g5 etc.) and, in some variants, his c3 knight on d5 sacrifices for opening the e-lineage. Another basic idea of ​​the Najdorf variant is actually the move e7 – e5 in order to avoid the narrow positions of the Scheveningen variant . 6. Bc1 – g5 and 6. Bf1 – c4 prevent e7 – e5 because of the weakening of the d5-square.

Kupreitschik variant

  • 3. d2-d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6 5. Nb1-c3 Bc8-d7

In Secrets of Opening Surprises Volume 1, this line is attributed to Viktor Kuprejtschyk . This line can very easily pass into other variants of the Sicilian Defense and therefore requires some knowledge of the variants on the part of the follower.

Moscow variant

  • 3. Bf1-b5 +

White avoids 3. d2 – d4 and the numerous theoretical entanglements that result from it and is ready to swap his bishop with 4. Bb5xd7 + after 3.… Bc8 – d7 ( ECO B52) in order to quickly close with 5. 0–0 after 4.… Qd8xd7 castle, or to take a Maróczy setup with 5. c2 – c4 , which happened in the famous game Kasparov versus the World . Oleh Romanyschyn invented 4th c2 – c4. The continuation of 3.… Nb8 – d7 (ECO B51) is the other possibility for Black in the Moscow variant and was Boris Gelfand's choice in the 2012 World Chess Championship . Please note that 3.… Nb8 – c6 leads to the Rossolimo variant (2.… Nb8 – c6 3. Bf1 – b5 d7 – d6) (ECO B51).

Kopec system

  • 3. Bf1-d3

This train (ECO B20) was prepared by the American computer science - Professor IM Danny Kopec proposed (1954 to 2016).

Other second moves

In addition to the three main variants, there are several options for the black player, which are consistently played less often and are mainly used when the black player wants to avoid the main lines.

  • 2.… g7 – g6 - sometimes referred to as "hyper-accelerated kite ", sometimes leads to positions that are similar to the kite variant or the accelerated kite
  • 2.… Ng8 – f6 - the Rubinstein variant that Nimzowitsch likes to play
  • 2.… a7 – a6 - the O'Kelly variant

Alternatives for white

Morra gambit

  • 2. d2-d4 c5xd4 3. c2-c3

In the Morra Gambit, White sacrifices a pawn in order to get better play on the free lines. This variant is rarely found at professional level, the gambit is much more popular among club players .

Alapin variant

  • 2. c2-c3

Originally used to avoid the well-trodden paths of the open Sicilian, the Alapin variant (named after Simon Alapin ) has now developed a considerable amount of theory and is now also used by grandmasters. One of its advocates is the Latvian Grand Master Yevgeny Sveshnikov . Black has two main continuations: 2.… Ng8 – f6 and 2.… d7 – d5. An example game is Deep Blue - Kasparow, Philadelphia 1996, 1st competition game .

Further responses are 2.… b7 – b6 (“Murey's antidote”, so named by the international master Frank Zeller , after the Israeli grandmaster Jacob Murey ), 2.… d7 – d6, 2.… g7 – g6, 2.… Qd8– a5 and 2.… e7 – e6. The latter leads to the advance variant of the French Defense after 3. d2 – d4 d7 – d5 4. e4 – e5 .

Closed Sicilian

  • 2. Sb1-c3

White tries to build up calmly and keeps the position closed by delaying Ng1 – f3 or even playing Ng1 – e2 or Ng1 – h3 and furthermore foregoing d2 – d4. Instead, we aim for f4-f5. The main line is 2.… Nb8 – c6 3. g2 – g3 g7 – g6 4. Bf1 – g2 Bf8 – g7 5. d2 – d3 d7 – d6, after which White continues with either 6. Bc1 – e3 or 6. f2 – f4 can.

Former world champion Boris Spassky often used this variant successfully, even in candidate fights. At the moment it is rarely played by professionals. In the ECO codes , the closed Sicilian is classified under the keys B23 to B26.

Grand Prix attack

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Basic position of the Grand Prix attack

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  • 2. f2 – f4 or first
  • 2. Nb1 – c3 and 3. f2 – f4

In the Grand Prix attack, which got its name from the weekend tournaments held in England in the 1970s, White plays Nb1 – c3 early to make an opposing… d7 – d5 more difficult. The king knight is usually developed - after f2 – f4 - after f3, the king bishop after b5 or c4. Black mostly fianchets his king's bishop, looks for counterplay in the center with e6 and d5 and develops his king knight to e7. Like Black, White casts briefly and tries to break Black's pawn position with f5. This plan is often prepared by transferring the queen via e1 and h4 to the kingside and continued with Bh6 and Ng5, aiming aggressively and directly against Black's king position. In the ECO codes , the Grand Prix attack is classified under the keys B21 (2. f2 – f4) and B23 (2. Sb1 – c3 and 3. f2 – f4).

Sicilian grand piano gambit

  • 2. b2-b4

White does not want to exchange his d-pawn for the black c-pawn and wants to distract him with this gambit. The correctness of the gambit is doubted; at the grandmaster level it is almost never played. After 2.… c5xb4 White would like to move 3. a2 – a3 b4xa3 4. Nb1xa3 for example Sa3 – b5 and d2 – d4. 4. Bxa3 is also possible. Black can refuse the swap on a3 and equalize with 3.… d7 – d5. In the ECO codes , the grand piano gambit is classified with the key B20.

Czerniaks 2. b2 – b3

  • 2. b2-b3

In Secrets of Opening Surprises Volume 9, this line is attributed to Moshe Czerniak .

This fianchetto of the white queen's bishop is sometimes only prepared after 2. Ng1 – f3. The early 2nd b2 – b3 keeps f2 – f4 open.

Svyagintsev's 2nd Nb1 – a3

With the unorthodox margin knight move 2. Nb1 – a3 , the Russian grandmaster Vadim Svyagintsev had unexpected success in 2005 and 2006. He defeated the two former FIDE world champions Alexander Chalifman and Ruslan Ponomarjow .

Parhams 2. Qd1-h5

Parhams 2. Qd1 – h5 ?! (compare Parham's attack ) is met with 2.… d7 – d6, 2.… e7 – e6 or 2.… Ng8 – f6. The latter reaches the pawn overweight in the center after 3. Qh5xc5 Nf6xe4 .

Transfer to other opening systems

literature

Individual evidence

  1. Valeri Bronznik: Sicilian for idlers. The Basman Sale variant 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 c: d4 4.S: d4 Bc5. Schachverlag Kania, Schwieberdingen 2004, ISBN 3-931192-26-1 .
  2. ^ Sergey Kasparov : Steamrolling the Sicilian . Play for a Win with 5. f3! New In Chess , Alkmaar 2013, ISBN 978-90-5691-435-6 , pp. 239 (English).
  3. Jeroen Bosch (ed.): Chess without blinkers. Volume 1. German edition. New in Chess, Alkmaar 2004, ISBN 90-5691-125-2 .
  4. Richard Palliser : The Bb5 Sicilian . Everyman Chess , London 2005, ISBN 1-85744-397-7 , pp. 209 (English).
  5. Reinhold Ripperger: Playing to win against Sicilian. ChessCoach-Verlag, St. Ingbert 2009, ISBN 978-3-9811905-1-9 .
  6. Jeroen Bosch (ed.): Chess without blinkers. Volume 9. German edition. New in Chess, Alkmaar 2008, ISBN 978-90-5691-242-0 .