Semi-Open · a defense for Black
Sicilian Defense: Keres Variation
3/3
1.e4c52.Ne2
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Keres Variation983k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
45%438k48%
25%242k47%
16%159k49%
5.5%54k49%
2.6%26k46%
2.4%23k48%
1.7%17k48%
1.7%17k53%
0.4%3.8k47%
0.1%98048%
Famous games in this line2.9k master games
Carlsen, M. (2855) – Nakamura, Hi (2787)Carlsen, Magnus (2802) – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2763)Carlsen, Magnus (2802) – Gelfand, Boris (2741)Carlsen, Magnus (2802) – Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2720)Vachier Lagrave, M. (2758) – Wojtaszek, R. (2744)Ivanchuk, Vassily (2695) – Kasparov, Garry (2805)Vachier Lagrave, M. (2745) – Dominguez Perez, L. (2754)Vallejo Pons, Francisco (2663) – Kasparov, Garry (2831)Heroes of this opening Nakamura, Hi · Gelfand, Boris · Vachier Lagrave, M.
- Family
- Sicilian Defense
- Category
- Semi-Open
- First move
- 1.e4
- ECO
- B20
- Line
- 1. e4 c5 2. Ne2
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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