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
56%1.2k38%
26%57638%
7.9%17343%
2.4%5260%
2%4351%
1.5%3239%
1.2%2724%
1.1%2552%
0.6%1446%
0.3%714%
Famous games in this line133 master games
Iuldachev, Saidali (2511) – Malakhov, Vladimir (2670)20020–1Spassky, Boris V (2565) – Hjartarson, Johann (2590)19881–0Hjartarson, Johann (2580) – Petursson, Margeir (2555)1992½–½Larino Nieto, D. (2451) – Van Wely, L. (2653)20150–1Larino Nieto, D. (2451) – Granda Zuniga, J. (2628)20251–0Sanal, V. (2590) – Quparadze, G. (2475)2021½–½Oratovsky, Michael (2485) – Huzman, Alexander (2570)19960–1Stripunsky, Alexander (2554) – Browne, Walter S (2484)20031–0
Heroes of this opening Malakhov, Vladimir · Spassky, Boris V · Van Wely, L. · Larino Nieto, D.
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 →
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Nearby lines in the family
Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Main Line2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 …Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Nanu Gambit2.b4 cxb4 3.a3 d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 …Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5 Bd7 4.Bxd7 Qxd7 …
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.

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