Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4

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/3p4/2p5/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4

Open Sicilian

The aggressive advance of White's d-pawn forms a classical centre (pawns on e4 and d4), a strong formation which threatens to gain a large space advantage by a subsequent d5 or e5. Black is therefore compelled to break up White's centre.

In the Sicilian, this is easily achieved with the exchange 3...cxd4, the control of d4 being the major reason the c-pawn was moved to c5 originally. With this natural move Black acquires a majority of central pawns and half-opens the c-file.

Their other means of attacking the centre pawns is with 3...Nf6, in an attempt to avoid the Maróczy Bind by tempting the b1 knight out, but White can simply take the c-pawn with quicker development.

3...Nc6 invites either d5 or dxc5 with a strong initiative.

Theory table

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

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4

	3	4	5
Main line	... cxd4	Nxd4 Nf6	Nc3 e6	=
	... Nf6	dxc5 Nxe4	cxd6 Nc6	∞
	... Nc6	d5 Ne5	Nxe5 dxe5	+=

References

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