Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit

13/13
1.e4c52.Nf3d63.Bb5+Bd74.Bxd7+Qxd75.O-ONc66.c3Nf67.d4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit7.2k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
62%4.5k41%
33%2.3k42%
2.4%17147%
1.3%9438%
0.7%5140%
0.1%1025%
0.1%933%
0.1%743%
0.1%667%
0.1%625%
Famous games in this line694 master games
Adams, Michael (2680) – Anand, Viswanathan (2765)1997½–½Nakamura, Hi (2746) – Adly, A. (2626)20181–0Zhigalko, Sergei (2671) – Sjugirov, Sanan (2626)2011½–½Filippov, An UZB (2615) – Wei Yi (2638)2014½–½Ulibin, Mikhail (2586) – Sutovsky, Emil (2666)2004½–½Nevednichy, Vladislav (2563) – Georgiev, Kiril (2676)20010–1Nevednichy, Vladislav (2588) – Sakaev, Konstantin (2630)2001½–½Baklan, Vladimir (2600) – Najer, Evgeniy (2608)2003½–½
Heroes of this opening Nakamura, Hi · Georgiev, Kiril
Family
Sicilian Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B52
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4
Gambit
★ Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Main Line2…Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 …Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Nanu Gambit2.b4 cxb4 3.a3 d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 …Sicilian Defense: Closed, Smyslov Variation2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 …
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.

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