for Black · advanced
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation
10/10
1.e4c52.Nf3d63.d4cxd44.Nxd4Nf65.Nc3e6
Black builds the famous 'small centre' with pawns on d6 and e6, a flexible and resilient setup that supports the central squares and prepares queenside counterplay. It is a strategically rich, well-respected system.
Key ideas
- Set up the compact d6/e6 'small centre' for flexibility
- Prepare ...b5 and ...Bb7 for queenside and central counterplay
- Meet the Keres Attack (g4) accurately with prudent defence
- Keep pieces active and strike back in the centre when White overextends
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation1.5M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
25%363k47%
20%299k52%
9.4%138k47%
5.4%79k53%
Famous games in this line15k master games
Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) – Carlsen, Magnus (2863)Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) – Carlsen, Magnus (2863)Karjakin, Sergey (2709) – Carlsen, Magnus (2881)Karjakin, Sergey (2756) – Grischuk, A. (2783)Carlsen, M. (2840) – Van Wely, L. (2695)Morozevich, Alexander (2760) – Nakamura, Hikaru (2775)Ivanchuk, Vassily (2779) – Movsesian, Sergei (2751)Anand, Viswanathan (2788) – Ponomariov, Ruslan (2739)Heroes of this opening Carlsen, Magnus · Nakamura, Hikaru · Movsesian, Sergei · Ponomariov, Ruslan
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