Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Coles Sicilian Gambit

9/9
1.e4c52.d4cxd43.Qxd4Nc64.Qd1Nf65.Bc4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Coles Sicilian Gambit8.8k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
47%4.1k56%
31%2.7k60%
7.9%69355%
6.5%57158%
4.6%40547%
1.2%10554%
1%9156%
0.4%3649%
0.3%2757%
0.3%2440%
Family
Sicilian Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B21
Line
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qd1 Nf6 5. Bc4
Gambit
★ Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
Sicilian Defense: Prins Variation2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 …Sicilian Defense: Heidenfeld Variation2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 …Sicilian Defense: Closed, Carlsen Variation2.Nc3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 …
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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