Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Closed, Carlsen Variation

9/9
1.e4c52.Nc3d63.d4cxd44.Qxd4Nc65.Qd2
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Carlsen Variation83k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
60%50k44%
19%16k44%
7%5.8k41%
5.4%4.5k42%
4.1%3.5k45%
3.9%3.2k42%
0.2%15839%
0.2%15448%
0.1%7847%
0.1%6134%
Famous games in this line662 master games
Carlsen, M. (2864)Vachier Lagrave, M. (2760)2022½–½Caruana, F. (2819)Vachier Lagrave, M. (2779)20191–0Caruana, F. (2819)Vachier Lagrave, M. (2773)2019½–½Carlsen, M. (2843)Wojtaszek, R. (2744)20181–0Nakamura, Hi (2769)Vachier Lagrave, M. (2789)2018½–½Grischuk, A.. (2777)Vachier Lagrave, M.. (2767)20211–0Nakamura, Hi (2761)Vachier Lagrave, M. (2780)20191–0Nakamura, Hi (2769)Grischuk, A. (2766)20181–0
Heroes of this opening Nakamura, Hi · Caruana, F. · Carlsen, M. · Grischuk, A..
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B23
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2
Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
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.

Study this opening