B23 · 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 defense has won more games at every level than the Sicilian. Bobby Fischer played almost nothing else against 1.e4, and Kasparov's Najdorf battles with Karpov and Anand are pillars of chess history. When you play 1...c5, you're refusing symmetry — the same refusal that carried two world champions.

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