B24 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Smyslov Variation
13/13
1.e4c52.Nc3Nc63.g3g64.Bg2Bg75.d3e66.Be3Nd47.Nce2
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Closed, Smyslov Variation2.2k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
Ne756%1.2k38%
Nxe226%57638%
d67.9%17343%
Qb62.4%5260%
d52%4351%
b61.5%3239%
e51.2%2724%
Qa5+1.1%2552%
Rb80.6%1446%
Qc70.3%714%
Famous games in this line133 master games
Iuldachev, Saidali (2511) – Malakhov, Vladimir (2670)Spassky, Boris V (2565) – Hjartarson, Johann (2590)Hjartarson, Johann (2580) – Petursson, Margeir (2555)Larino Nieto, D. (2451) – Van Wely, L. (2653)Larino Nieto, D. (2451) – Granda Zuniga, J. (2628)Sanal, V. (2590) – Quparadze, G. (2475)Oratovsky, Michael (2485) – Huzman, Alexander (2570)Stripunsky, Alexander (2554) – Browne, Walter S (2484)Heroes of this opening Malakhov, Vladimir · Spassky, Boris V · Van Wely, L. · Larino Nieto, D.
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
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.
- Family
- Sicilian Defense
- Category
- Semi-Open
- First move
- 1.e4
- ECO
- B24
- Line
- 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 e6 6. Be3 Nd4 7. Nce2
Fianchetto
★ Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines →Study this opening elsewhere