B23 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Closed, Portland Attack

7/7
1.e4c52.Nc3Nc63.d3g64.g4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Portland Attack2.3k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
90%2.1k46%
5.5%12746%
1.9%4355%
1%2241%
0.3%757%
0.3%617%
0.2%540%
0.1%367%
0.1%367%
0.1%20%
Famous games in this line2 master games
Bidwell, John (2281)Van de Mortel, Jan (2412)20060–1Kaminker, Harry (2200)Jordan, William (2200)19781–0
Heroes of this opening Van de Mortel, Jan · Kaminker, Harry
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B23
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. d3 g6 4. g4
FianchettoAggressive
Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines
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From the archives

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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