sicilian defense

no89_idea

Updated: Nov 13, 2009, 5:29 AM | 1

The Sicilian starts as:

  1. e4 c5

The Sicilian is popular at the master level. Black immediately fights for the center, but by attacking from the c-file (instead of mirroring White's move) he creates an asymmetrical position that leads to lots of complicated positions. Black tries to attack White's e-pawn, often through a Knight at f6 and Bishop at b7. Black would like to make the move "d5" without retribution.

The Sicilian has been extensively studied, and there are many variations. A popular variation is the "Dragon" variation, which starts as:

  1. e4 c5  2. Nf3 d6  3. d4 cxd4
  4. Nxd4 Nf6  5. Nc3 g6

In this variation, Black finachettos a bishop on the h8-a1 diagonal. This is called the "Dragon" variation because Black's pawn structure is supposed to look like a dragon.

Another variation that's quite popular is the "Najdorf" variation. It starts just like the Dragon, and diverges on Black's move 5:

  1. e4 c5  2. Nf3 d6  3. d4 cxd4
  4. Nxd4 Nf6  5. Nc3 a6

According to Grandmaster Daniel King White often responds with "Be2", permitting Black to attack the center with "e5!".

sicilian defense

chess is mystery..