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Sicilian Defence (B90)

Sicilian Defence is a defence for Black. Level: Intermediate. Main line: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6.

The main line, move by move

1. 1. e4: White takes the centre.
2. 1… c5: Black fights for d4 from the side instead of copying White. This makes the game unbalanced.
3. 2. Nf3: White develops and prepares d4.
4. 2… d6: Black prepares to develop and keeps control of e5.
5. 3. d4: White opens the centre.
6. 3… cxd4: Black trades a wing pawn for White's centre pawn: Black now has two centre pawns to White's one.
7. 4. Nxd4: White takes back with a well-placed knight.
8. 4… Nf6: Black develops with an attack on e4.
9. 5. Nc3: White defends e4 and develops.
10. 5… a6: The Najdorf: a quiet but flexible move that keeps White's pieces off b5 and prepares ...e5 or ...b5.

Ideas for White

Use the lead in development and extra space for an attack, often against the black king.

Ideas for Black

Use the half-open c-file and the extra centre pawn for counterplay on the queenside and in the centre.

Typical plans

• White: Be3, f3, Qd2 and queenside castling, then a kingside pawn storm.
• Black: ...b5, ...Bb7 and pressure down the c-file.

Common mistakes

• Black grabbing pawns in the Smith-Morra Gambit while undeveloped (see the Siberian Trap).
• Both sides playing slowly: the Sicilian rewards fast, active play.

Variations

Najdorf (5...a6), Dragon (5...g6), Classical (2...Nc6), Alapin (2.c3), Smith-Morra Gambit (2.d4 cxd4 3.c3).

Traps in this opening

• Siberian Trap

Quick check

Why does Black trade the c-pawn for White's d-pawn in the Open Sicilian?

Answer: Black gets an extra centre pawn and a half-open c-file. A wing pawn for a centre pawn is a good trade, and the open c-file is useful for Black's rooks.

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