Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...d6

Open Sicilian
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/3p4/2p5/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6
ECO code: B50-B99
Parent: Sicilian Defence

Open Sicilian

Black's 2...d6 gives them the option of several popular attacking lines, controls the e5 square, supports the c-pawn and activates their queen's bishop.

White's rationale for playing 2. Nf3 was to support a 3. d4 advance which they may now play. Their best alternative to this, for rapid development, is 3. Bb5+, forcing Black to block the check with a minor piece that would then be pinned to the king. Swashbuckling players might be tempted by 3. b4, planning an unopposed d4 when the Black c-pawn is diverted to b4.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6

	3	4	5	6
Main line	d4 cxd4	Nxd4 Nf6	Nc3 a6	Be3 e6	=
Moscow Variation (or Canal-Sokolsky Attack)	Bb5+ Bd7	Bxd7+ Qxd7	O-O Nc6	c3 Nf6	=
	Nc3 Nf6	e5 dxe5	Nxe5 Nbd7	Nc4 e6	+/=
Delayed Alapin	c3 Nf6	Be2 g6	O-O Bg7	Bb5+ Nbd7	=
Deferred Wing Gambit	b4 cxb4	d4 Nf6	Bd3 e6	O-O Be7	=/+

References

• Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.