Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...cxd4/4. Nxd4/4...Nf6/5. Nc3

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) rnbqkb1r/pp2pppp/3p1n2/8/3NP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKB1R b
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3

Open Sicilian

Time has come for Black to make an important strategic choice.

They may keep on developing their forces by playing 5...Nc6.

They can choose to strengthen their pawn structure and to reinforce their control of the center with 5...e6.

They can also start to take the control of the queen-side with 5...a6.

They may decide to put a deadly bishop in g7 and play 5...g6.

These are the four main variations. Another more aggressive option is 5...e5, less popular than the previous moves.

Theory table

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

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

	5	6	7	8
Najdorf variation	... a6	+/=
Sicilian Scheveningen	... e6	+/=
Dragon variation	... g6	Be3 Bg7	f3 O-O	Qd2 Nc6	+/-
Classical variation	... Nc6	Bg5 e6	Qd2 Be7	O-O-O O-O	+/-
Venice attack	... e5	Bb5+ Nbd7	Nf5 a6	+/-

References

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