Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Marshall Counterattack

6/6
1.e4c52.Nf3e63.d4d5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Marshall Counterattack1.6M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
61%952k52%
13%209k49%
French Defense: Advance Variation, Nimzowitsch System12%190k48%
5.3%82k54%
3.4%53k51%
1.8%28k50%
French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Euwe-Keres Line0.6%8.8k54%
0.5%8.1k50%
0.4%5.5k49%
0.3%5.0k45%
Famous games in this line63 master games
Giri, A. (2783) – Golubov, Saveliy (2482)20181–0Grischuk, A. (2777) – Golubov, Saveliy (2469)2019½–½Kamsky, G. (2677) – Yuffa, D. (2566)2019½–½Svidler, P. (2737) – Golubov, Saveliy (2482)2018½–½Fedoseev, Vl3 (2719) – Golubov, Saveliy (2482)20180–1Svidler, P. (2723) – Golubov, Saveliy (2469)20190–1Zhigalko, S. (2625) – Golubov, Saveliy (2495)20181–0Motylev, A. (2651) – Golubov, Saveliy (2469)20191–0
Heroes of this opening Golubov, Saveliy · Giri, A. · Zhigalko, S. · Motylev, A.
Family
Sicilian Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B40
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 d5
Aggressive
★ Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines →
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
Sicilian Defense: Kotov Gambit2…d6 3.g3 b5Sicilian Defense: Acton Extension2…g6 3.c4 Bh6Sicilian Defense: Drazic Variation3…a6
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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