Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation

9/9
1.e4c52.Nf3e63.d4cxd44.Nxd4a65.c4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation1.0M games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
40%418k50%
23%243k51%
13%138k46%
7.8%81k49%
5%51k48%
3%31k45%
1.7%17k46%
0.9%9.6k41%
0.9%9.5k44%
Famous games in this line4.4k master games
Carlsen, M. (2863)Anand, V. (2792)20141–0Kasparov, Garry (2838)Kramnik, Vladimir (2802)2001½–½Firouzja, Alireza (2767)Carlsen, M. (2831)20240–1Karjakin, Sergey (2782)Caruana, F. (2816)2018½–½Giri, A. (2768)Caruana, F. (2829)20140–1Nepomniachtchi, I. (2755)Carlsen, M. (2832)2024½–½Carlsen, Magnus (2863)Xiong, Jeffery (2709)20200–1Firouzja, Alireza (2767)Nakamura, Hi (2802)20241–0
Heroes of this opening Carlsen, M. · Caruana, F. · Xiong, Jeffery · Firouzja, Alireza
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B41
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. c4
Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines
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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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