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
Family
Sicilian Defense
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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Nearby lines in the family
Sicilian Defense: Big Clamp Formation2.d3 Nc6 3.c3 d6 4.f4Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Deferred2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.c3
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
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