Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Closed, Chameleon Variation

5/5
1.e4c52.Nc3Nc63.Nge2
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Chameleon Variation347k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
29%102k47%
25%86k45%
18%61k44%
12%42k44%
11%39k46%
2.9%10k43%
0.7%2.3k55%
0.5%1.7k40%
0.2%62746%
0.1%46743%
Famous games in this line4.3k master games
Aronian, L. (2767)Caruana, F. (2822)20181–0Kasparov, Garry (2775)Kramnik, Vladimir (2775)1996½–½Kasparov, Garry (2775)Kramnik, Vladimir (2775)19961–0Kasparov, Garry (2795)Kramnik, Vladimir (2740)1997½–½Kasparov, Garry (2805)Kramnik, Vladimir (2725)19941–0Kasparov, Garry (2795)Kramnik, Vladimir (2730)1995½–½Kasparov, Garry (2805)Kramnik, Vladimir (2710)1994½–½Jobava, Ba (2727)Vachier Lagrave, M. (2757)2015½–½
Heroes of this opening Kasparov, Garry · Aronian, L.
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B23
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nge2
Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines
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No reply to 1.e4 is played more. Fischer made the Najdorf his main weapon, and Kasparov's Sicilians are pillars of chess history — the Scheveningen against Karpov, the Dragon he unveiled against Anand in 1995. When you play 1...c5 you refuse symmetry, the same refusal that carried two world champions.

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