Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Réti System

5/5
1.e4c52.Nf3a63.g3
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Réti System66k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
35%23k46%
20%13k48%
17%11k46%
12%7.7k47%
6.9%4.5k47%
3.4%2.3k47%
2.5%1.6k46%
1.4%89745%
0.9%58044%
0.9%57943%
Famous games in this line249 master games
Niemann, Hans Moke (2711)Mamedyarov, S. (2733)20241–0Najer, E. (2663)Vitiugov, N. (2736)2015½–½Sindarov, Javokhir (2726)Theodorou, Nikolas (2652)20251–0Ter Sahakyan, S. (2643)Aronian, L. (2723)2023½–½Caruana, F. (2798)Alonso Rosell, A. (2550)20241–0Karthik, V4. (2581)Mamedyarov, S. (2726)2024½–½Ter Sahakyan, S. (2609)Vallejo Pons, F. (2653)2024½–½Solak, Dragan (2594)Lupulescu, Constantin (2652)2020½–½
Heroes of this opening Niemann, Hans Moke · Sindarov, Javokhir · Caruana, F.
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B28
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. g3
Fianchetto
Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines
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From the archives

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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