Opening for Black · intermediate
Sicilian Defense
As Black, fight 1.e4 with ...c5. It's an unbalanced game where Black plays for a win.
touch_appPlay the Sicilian Defense yourself. Make each move for Black; the coach explains as you go.
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Move by move
- 1. e4
White takes the center.
- 1... c5
1...c5, the Sicilian. It controls d4 from the side and keeps the position unbalanced.
- 2. Nf3
White prepares d4.
- 2... d6
2...d6 covers e5 and opens the c8 bishop.
- 3. d4
White opens the center: the Open Sicilian.
- 3... cxd4
3...cxd4! Black swaps a flank pawn for a center pawn and gets the half-open c-file.
What club players answer
After 1.e4 c5, these are the moves White meets most often at club level, weighted the way our bots choose them so they play like people.
Nf355%
Nc325%
d410%
c310%
How to remember it
1...c5, then ...d6, and capture toward the center.
Variations to know next
Opening code B50, Sicilian, Chekhover.
- Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer (B60): 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5
- Sicilian, Dragon (B70): 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
- Sicilian, Dragon — Yugoslav Attack (B76): 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3
- Sicilian, Scheveningen (B80): 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6
- Sicilian, Najdorf (B90): 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
- Sicilian, Najdorf — Poisoned Pawn (B96): 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6