The Sicilian Defence arises after 1.e4 c5. ECO codes: B20–B99.

History

The Sicilian Defence is the most popular response to 1.e4. It was first analysed by Giulio Polerio in his 1594 manuscript. Jacob Henry Sarratt standardised the English name "Sicilian Defence" in 1813, referencing the Italian phrase "il gioco siciliano." The opening faced significant scepticism in the early 20th century—Capablanca stated "Black's game is full of holes" and Tarrasch argued "it is certainly not strictly correct." However, it was revived in the 1940s–1950s by Boleslavsky, Kotov, and Najdorf, and became the premier response to 1.e4 through the play of Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov, who employed it "almost exclusively throughout their careers."

Main Lines & Variations

Open Sicilian (2.Nf3 and 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4) – approximately 80% of master games:

• Najdorf Variation (5...a6) – Black's most popular system.

• Dragon Variation (5...g6) – Named by Fyodor Dus-Chotimirsky in 1901 after the Draco constellation. The Yugoslav Attack creates sharp opposite-wing battles.

• Classical Variation (5...Nc6) – Including the Richter-Rauzer Attack (6.Bg5) and Sozin Variation (6.Bc4).

• Scheveningen Variation (5...e6) – Black prepares ...Be7 and kingside castling.

• Sveshnikov Variation – 2...Nc6 and 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 e5, staking a central claim.

• Taimanov Variation – 2...e6 followed by 4...Nc6.

• Kan Variation – 2...e6 followed by 4...a6.

White's Alternative Second Moves:

• Closed Sicilian (2.Nc3) – Avoids immediate d4.

• Alapin Variation (2.c3) – Supports a future d4.

• Grand Prix Attack (2.f4) – Aggressive kingside setup.

• Smith-Morra Gambit (2.d4 cxd4 3.c3) – Pawn sacrifice for development.

Key Positions

After 1.e4 c5 – Black breaks symmetry immediately, contesting d4 from the wing.

Strategic Themes & Plans

Black gains a central pawn majority after the typical ...cxd4 exchange, an open c-file for queenside counterplay, and dynamic piece activity. White has a development lead and kingside attacking potential. As GM John Nunn notes, the Sicilian's lasting popularity stems from its "combative nature" where Black plays not merely for equality but for advantage. By 1990, MCO noted it had become "the most played and most analysed opening at both the club and master levels."