Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, Exchange Variation

11/11
1.e4c52.Nf3e63.d4cxd44.Nxd4Nc65.Nc3Nf66.Nxc6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, Exchange Variation530k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
98%520k52%
1.7%8.9k49%
0.1%4387%
0.1%43710%
0%12616%
0%6713%
0%375%
0%346%
0%268%
0%1825%
Famous games in this line3.0k master games
Firouzja, Alireza (2804)Rapport, R. (2776)2022½–½Caruana, F. (2786)Rapport, R. (2776)2022½–½Aronian, L.. (2781)Mamedyarov, S.. (2770)20210–1Vachier Lagrave, M.. (2784)Dominguez Perez, L.. (2758)20211–0So, W. (2778)Mamedyarov, S. (2762)2021½–½Gashimov, Vugar (2761)Radjabov, Teimour (2773)20120–1Vachier Lagrave, M. (2738)Caruana, F. (2789)2025½–½Kasparov, Garry (2849)Grischuk, Alexander (2663)20011–0
Heroes of this opening Mamedyarov, S.. · Vachier Lagrave, M.. · Radjabov, Teimour · Kasparov, Garry
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B45
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Nxc6
Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines
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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