Sicilian Defence
The Sicilian Defence is a chess opening the. It is one of the half- open games and is classified in the ECO codes under the keys B20 to B99.
The Sicilian Defence begins with the moves:
1 e2- e4 c7 - c5
You will very often continue with the trains 2 Sg1 -f3 and 2 ... Sb8-c6/e7-e6/d7-d6 followed by 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 and divided into numerous variants. The opening is about four to five hundred years old and was first documented in Italy.
This opening leads, according to the textbook of chess often to a " sharp struggle." In the tournament practice, the " Sicilian " pleased both club players as well as at grandmaster level popularity. Many grandmasters set the Sicilian Defence with the black pieces a regular basis in order to create the game to gain from the asymmetry of the opening moves out can. The most famous Sizilianischspieler were Garry Kasparov and Bobby Fischer, who were instrumental in steady improvements and renewals of the old defense.
A basic concept of the Sicilian Defense is for Black to attack on the half-open c-file and on the queenside while White tries to get through on the kingside and in the center. Black seeks counterplay and does not provide a priority for the safety of his king.
The most popular variations of the Sicilian Defense, the Dragon Variation ( which is, however, rarely played now in the best in the world ), the Najdorf and Sveshnikov Variation.
- 2.1 Morra Gambit
- 2.2 Alapin variant
- 2.3 " Closed Sicilian "
- 2.4 Grand Prix Attack
- 2.5 Sicilian Wing Gambit
- 2.6 Czerniaks 2 b2 -b3
- 2.7 Swjaginzews 2 Nb1 -a3
- 2.8 Parham 2 Dd1 - h5
- 2.9 Transfer to Other opening systems
The Open variant
The open version of the Sicilian Defense arises after the moves 1 e2 -e4 c7 - c5 2 Sg1 -f3. The main progression routes for Black are now 2 ... Sb8 - c6, 2 ... e7 - e6 and 2 ... d7 - d6, after which most 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 is played. The exchange of the black c-pawn against the white d-pawn is characteristic of the Sicilian Defence, and this change in the pawn structure dictates the future strategy of both parties. Black has a pawn up in the center and thus a small but important positional advantage. It is often a matter for black, d6 -d5 enforce under favorable conditions. For then Black has the only remaining central pawn, his e-pawn. To black d6 -d5 as difficult as possible to make systems were designed with Bc1 - g5 6. See Najdorf and Richter- Rauser variant. 6 Lf1 - c4 has similar motivations. See Sosin variant and Dragon variation. The game there branched sometimes a battle for the center supporting Springer on c3 and f6. The quality of the black victim on the field c3 via the half-open c-file can sometimes be necessary to.
White can it relatively easy to bring all the minor pieces into play and therefore is able to complete its development faster than black. This development advantage and the advantage of the white space in the center, opposite the longer-term positional advantage of the Black often determines the further struggle whose focus is not only strategic in nature.
2 ... Sb8 - c6
Sveshnikov Variation
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 Ng8 - f6 5 Nb1 - c3 e7 - e5
This is the basic position of the Sveshnikov Variation, mostly continues with 6 Nd4 - b5 d7 - d6 7 Lc1 - g5 - a6 a7 8 Sb 5 -a3 b7 - b5. The idea is to gain counterplay in the center. As a result, often develops a battle for the square d5, keeping busy with a figure the White and the d-line will put pressure on d6, while black abtauschen just this figure and wants to force White to beat with the farmer on d5 and so close to the d-line.
Kalashnikov variant
- 3 d2 -d4 e7 - e5 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4
Is a relative of the Sveshnikov Variation in the Black waives the train Ng8 - f6 and instead the Springer developed on e7. A sample batch is Anand - Rəcəbov, Dortmund 2003.
Rossolimo variant
- 3 Lf1 - b5
White avoids 3 D2 -D4, and the resulting numerous theoretical complications. White is willing to give his bishop pair against the deterioration of the black pawn structure by a double pawn on c6.
Among the most common continuations include 3 ... g7- g6, 3 ... e7 - e6 and 3 ... d7 - d6.
3 ... e6 e7 - e7 - Ng8 plans. Now immediate 4 Lb5xc6 to the deterioration of the black pawn structure is attached by a double farmers.
Accelerated Dragon Variation
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 g7- g6
The Accelerated Dragon variation is different from the classic Dragon variation by the fact that Black has not yet played d6 d7. This can be advantageous in, as black saved a tempo compared to d7 - d6 -d5 d7 -d5 by a direct. On the other hand, receives White the opportunity to work with 5 c2 - c4 ( the Maroczy building, named after Géza Maroczy ) continue as Nb1 - c3 has not yet been played. But white must not make use of it, but can continue with Nb1 - c3 5.
2 ... e7 - e6
Taimanov variation
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 Sb8 - c6
This variant, named after Mark Taimanov, is one of the most solid construction options for Black. Most resumes with 5 Nd4 - b5 or 5 Nb1 - c3. The basic idea of the Taimanov variation is the knight exchange on d4 and the development of the royal knight on e7 after c6. After 5 Nd4 - b5 d7 - d6 6 c2 - c4 White achieved a kind Maroczy construction. The Kasparov Gambit is happening there. Otherwise, the Maroczy structure after 6 ... Ng8 - f6 7 Nb1 - c3 a7 - a6 8 Sb 5 -a3 Bf8 - e7 or 8 ... b7 - b6 leads to a hedgehog position.
Paulsen Variation
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 a7 - a6 Sf3xd4
In many language areas also known as Kan - variant, this variant of Louis Paulsen one of the most flexible ways dar. Black waiting to see how White develops his characters and then react accordingly. Among the most common responses of the white player includes 5 c2 - c4, 5 Nb1 - c3 and d3 - 5 Lf1. It is characterized by the development of the black bishop after c5 or b4, where he attacks the white center directly or indirectly.
Basman - Sale - variant
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 Bf8 - c5
This unusual rotor design case is referred by Valeri Bronznik in his book Sicilian for idlers about this system as Basman - Sale - variant, as both players often inserting these rare bishop move with success in practice. The rotor is actively placed and exerts pressure on d4 and even indirectly to f2. She is a sharp, if rarely seen in elite chess alternative to the main systems.
Sicilian attack
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 Ng8 - f6 5 Nb1 - c3 - b4 Bf8
Now White can very strongly with 6 e4 e5! continue to attack on the kingside bared after 6 ... Nf6 -d5 7 Dd1 - g4.
Sicilian Four Knights
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 Ng8 - f6 5 Nb1 - c3 - c6 Sb8
Now 6 Nd4 - b5 d7 - d6 7 Lc1 - f4 e6 - e5 - g5 8 Lf4 leads to the main line of the Sveshnikov Variation. 6 ... Bf8 - b4 7 a2 -a3 Lb4xc3 d7 -d5 8 Sb5xc3 is the original version of the Sicilian Four Knights Game.
2 ... d7 - d6
This is the most played second train of black. Many variants are very deep ausanalysiert, so it hard for players without a corresponding opening knowledge is not to be recommended to enter these variants.
Moscow Variation
- 3 Lf1 - b5
White avoids 3 D2 -D4, and the resulting numerous theoretical complications. White is ready abzutauschen his bishop and comes quickly to the short castling.
"Classical Sicilian "
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 Ng8 - f6 5 Nb1 - c3 - c6 Sb8
The classic version of the Sicilian defense gets its name from the "traditional" development guidelines of Springer. There are endless opportunities to continue to the most popular include 6 Lc1 - g5 ( the Richter- Rauser variant) and 6 Lf1 - c4 ( the Sosin variant - once widely used by Bobby Fischer).
6 Lf1 - e2, g2 - g3 6, 6 Lc1 -e3, 6 f2 -f3 and f2 - f4 6 are other options. 6 Lf1 e2 - e7 - e6 leads to the Scheveningen variation, 6 Lf1 - g7- g6 e2 for Dragon variation. 6 Lf1 e2 - e7 - e5 is the Boleslawski variant.
The black knight c6 exerts pressure on the white Springer d4 and modified some white sequels compared with the Najdorf. After 6 g2 - g3 here complicates 6 ... Bc8 - g4 the situation. After the desirable 7 f2 -f3 White is forced Lg4xf3 9 Lf1 - b5 Nf6 - d7 by 7 ... Sc6xd4 for temporary pawn sacrifice 8 Dd1xd4. In the Boleslawski variant can happen after 7 Nd4 -b3 Bf8 - e7 8 0-0 0-0 9 -e3 Lc1 the double step of the black a-pawn. 9 ... a7 - a5 -a4 a2 10 offers the magnificent Nc6 - b4 to enforce d6 -d5.
That in the Najdorf now often played 6 Lc1 -e3 leads here after 6 ... Nf6 - g4 either to center fortifying for black Abtausch 7 Sd4xc6 b7xc6, also a double edged exchange of Le3 after 7 Lf1 - b5 Sg4xe3 or but to a modern Najdorf -like structure after 7 Be3 - g5 h7 - h6 8 Bg5 - h4 g7- g5 9 Lh4 - g3.
Dragon Variation
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 Ng8 - f6 5 Nb1 - c3 g7- g6
The Dragon variation is one of the most aggressive opening lines ever. When castling on different sides can develop a double-edged battle in which both players try to attack the opponent's king positions. Here are 6 Lc1 -e3 and e2 - 6 Lf1 the major sequels. White attempting in this variant, using h4 - h5- hxg6 to open the h-file and abzutauschen the important black king runners by Be3 - h6, while black to Ta8 - c8 through the exchange sacrifice on c3 possibly e4 win the peasant or a king attack on must initiate the queenside against the long white castling. When Yugoslav Attack 6 Lc1 -e3 Bf8 - g7 7 f2 -f3 therefore covers the white farmers e4.
Scheveningen variation
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 Ng8 - f6 5 Nb1 - c3 e7 - e6
In the Scheveningen variation, the black man first builds back up and looking game on the queenside, sometimes with a pawn advance in the center. Characteristically, Black by 5 ... e7 - e6 control of the field g4 gives up what White 6 Lc1 -e3 or 6 g2 - g4 can be exploited by the trains.
6 Lc1 -e3 can be answered in the Najdorf and the " Classical Sicilian " with Nf6 - g4. In addition come the trains 6 Lf1 - e2, f2 - f4 6, 6 g2 - g3 and 6 Lf1 - c4 into consideration. The breakthrough came in the Champions practice until about 1930, when Géza Maroczy and Max Euwe had been successful in tournaments in the Dutch seaside resort of Scheveningen with this system.
Najdorf
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 Ng8 - f6 5 Nb1 - c3 a7 - a6
The Najdorf Variation (named after Grandmaster Miguel Najdorf ) is one of the most important and best-known variants of the entire opening theory. 6 Lc1 - g5, 6 Lc1 -e3 and 6 Lf1 - e2 are the most common Abspiele. With 6 Lf1 - c4 the game can pass into Sosin variant 6 g2 - g3 is a rather quiet, positional continuation. Basic idea of the Najdorf Variation is actually the train e7 - e5, but this can be prevented by 6 Lc1 - g5 because of the weakening of the field d5. How the Black rapid attack on the queenside by b7 - b5- b4, the white with a pawn storm will preempt on the kingside (f2 - f4 - f5, g2 - g4 - g5, etc. ) and in some versions his c3 - knight on d5 sacrificed for opening the e-line.
Kupreitschik variant
- 3 d2 -d4 c5xd4 4 Sf3xd4 Ng8 - f6 5 Nb1 - c3 Bc8 - d7
In Secrets of Opening Surprises Volume 1 of this play Viktar Kuprejtschyk is attributed. This play can very easily pass into other variations of the Sicilian defense and, therefore, requires some knowledge of the variant Black.
Other second trains
Besides the three main variants, there are several options for the black players who played consistently rare and especially to be used if the black player wants to walk the main playing out of the way.
- 2 ... g7- g6 - sometimes referred to as "hyper -accelerated dragon " means, sometimes leads to positions that are similar to the Dragon variation or the Accelerated Dragon
- 2 ... Ng8 - f6 - by Nimzowitsch played like Rubinstein Variation
- 2 ... a7 - a6 - the O'Kelly variation
Alternatives for white
Morra Gambit
- 2 d2 -d4 c5xd4 3 c2 c3
When Morra Gambit sacrifices White a pawn to get to the free lines better game. On the professional level, this variant is hardly to be found among club players the gambit is much more popular.
Alapin variant
- 2 c2 - c3
Originally used to avoid the beaten path of the open Sicilian, the Alapin variant has (named after Simon Alapin ) now even developed a considerable amount of theory and is nowadays also used by grandmasters. One of its supporters is the Latvian grandmaster Evgeny Sveshnikov. Black has two main continuations: 2 ... Ng8 - f6 and d7 -d5 2 .... A sample batch is Deep Blue - Kasparov, Philadelphia 1996 1st competition game.
Additional replies are second ... b7 b6 ( " Mureys antidote ", so named by the International Champion Frank Zeller, after the Israeli Grand Master Jacob Murey ), 2 ... d7 - d6, 2 ... g7- g6, 2 ... Qd8 - a5 and 2 ... e7 - e6. The latter leads to 3 d2 -d4 d7 -d5 4 e5 - e4 for the Advance Variation of the French Defence.
" Closed Sicilian "
- 2 Nb1 - c3
White attempting to build quietly and keeps the position closed by Sg1 -f3 delaying or even Sg1 - e2 or Sg1 - h3 plays and further waives d2 -d4. Instead f4 - f5 is sought. The main variation is 2 ... c6 3 Sb8 - g2 - g3 g7- g6 4 Lf1 - g2 Bf8 - g7 5 d2 -d3 d7 - d6, after which White with either 6 or 6 Lc1 -e3 - f2 can continue f4.
The former World Champion Boris Spassky turned this variant often successfully, even in candidate fighting. Currently, she is played by professionals only very rarely.
Grand Prix Attack
- 2 f2 - f4 or only
- 2 Nb1 - c3 plus 3 f2 - f4
At the Grand Prix attack which was named after the weekend tournaments, which were carried out in the 70s of the 20th century in England, White plays early Nb1 - c3 to impede an opponent ... d7 -d5. The king is usually Springer - developed by f3, the King Bishop after b5 or c4 - after previously successful f2 - f4. Black usually fianchettiert his King Bishop, looking with e6 and d5 counterplay in the center and develops his king knight to e7. White castled as well as gun briefly and tries to break up Black's pawn position by f5. This plan is often preceded by a transfer of the lady via e1 and h4 to the kingside and continued with Bh6 and Sg5 and aims it aggressively and directly against the black king position.
Sicilian Wing Gambit
- 2 b2- b4
White wants his d-pawn not trade against the black c-pawn and wants to deflect it through the gambit. The correctness of the gambits is doubted, at a grandmaster level, it is almost never played. White wants to go second ... pull c5xb4 3 a2 -a3 a4xa3 4 Sb1xa3 for example, Sa 3 - b5 and d2 -d4. It is also possible 4th Lxa3. Black can, however, reject the exchange on a3 and compensate with 3 ... d7 -d5.
Czerniaks 2 b2 -b3
- 2 b2 -b3
In Secrets of Opening Surprises Volume 9 of this play Moshe Czerniak is attributed.
This Fianchetto of white ladies runner is sometimes prepared after 2 Sg1 -f3. Early 2 b2 -b3 remains open f2 - f4.
Swjaginzews 2 Nb1 -a3
With the unorthodox Randspringerzug 2 Nb1 -a3, the Russian grandmaster Vadim Zvyagintsev had unexpected success in 2005 and 2006, he mastered so that the two former world champion Ruslan Ponomariov, Alexander Khalifman and.
Parham's second Dd1 - h5
Parham's second Dd1 - h5! (see Parham Attack ) is countered with 2 ... d7 - d6, 2 ... e7 - e6 or 2 ... Ng8 - f6. The latter reached after 3 Dh5xc5 Sf6xe4 the Bauer overweight in the center.
Transfer to Other opening systems
- 2 c2 - c4 can lead to symmetry English version.