Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Tal Variation

15/15
1.e4c52.Nf3e63.d4cxd44.Nxd4Nf65.Nc3d66.f4Nc67.Be3Be78.Qf3
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Tal Variation4.4k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
51%2.2k40%
16%68040%
11%48241%
9%39148%
5%22036%
3.8%16443%
1.6%7235%
0.6%2838%
0.6%2642%
0.5%2444%
Famous games in this line412 master games
Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) – Carlsen, Magnus (2863)20201–0Karjakin, Sergey (2727) – Morozevich, Alexander (2788)2008½–½Radjabov, Teimour (2729) – Morozevich, Alexander (2747)20061–0Ni, Hua (2670) – Morozevich, Alexander (2737)20110–1Anand, Viswanathan (2788) – Khalifman, Alexander (2612)2009½–½Yu Yangyi (2724) – Hou Yifan (2673)2015½–½Najer, E. (2646) – Morozevich, A. (2722)20141–0Karjakin, Sergey (2679) – Timofeev, Artyom (2657)2006½–½
Heroes of this opening Nakamura, Hikaru · Radjabov, Teimour · Morozevich, Alexander · Najer, E.
Family
Sicilian Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B82
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. f4 Nc6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qf3
★ Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
Sicilian Defense: Magnus Smith Trap2…Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 …Sicilian Defense: Velimirovic Attack2…Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 …Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack, Christiansen's Dream4…a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.Bd3 Qb6 7.Be3 …
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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