Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3
| Open Sicilian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ECO code: B27-B99 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent: Sicilian Defence | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Open Sicilian
edit2. Nf3
editWhite's move 2. Nf3 increased their control of the d4 square, enabling them to play d4 next move. Black cannot hope to resist White's plan any further, and should go about their own development.
2...d6 is the most popular move, controlling e5 for a potential advance of the e-pawn and letting the queen's bishop out, while also holding down the c-pawn should White go down a different path.
2...e6 is an older, though still popular move freeing the king's bishop, although d6 will often follow soon.
2...Nc6 is the most traditional move, and still played often today. It reserves options in the centre and keeps an eye on d4, as does 2...g6 (the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon) with ...Bg7 to follow, and 2...a6 (the O'Kelly Variation) which can restrain some of White's longer-term plans and provide the springboard for a b5 advance, though it neglects the centre.
There are many slightly different Sicilians with similar plans for Black, in which various combinations of these moves may turn up in almost any order.
The one significant departure from the main lines is 2...Nf6, evoking Alekhine's Defence by attacking the e-pawn to tempt it forward.
Theory table
edit
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Sicilian with 2...d6 | ... d6 |
d4 cxd4 |
Nxd4 Nf6 |
Nc3 e6 |
+/= |
| Open Sicilian with 2...e6 | ... e6 |
d4 cxd4 |
Nxd4 a6 |
Bd3 Nf6 |
+/= |
| Open Sicilian with 2...Nc6 | ... Nc6 |
d4 cxd4 |
Nxd4 Nf6 |
Nc3 e5 |
= |
| O'Kelly Variation | ... a6 |
c3 d5 |
exd5 Qxd5 |
d4 e6 |
+/= |
| Hyper-Accelerated Dragon | ... g6 |
d4 cxd4 |
Qxd4 Nf6 |
Bb5 Nc6 |
= |
| Nimzowitsch Variation | ... Nf6 |
e5 Nd5 |
Nc3 e6 |
Nxd5 exd5 |
+/- |
| Katalimov Variation | ... b6 |
d4 cxd4 |
Nxd4 Bb7 |
Nc3 d6 |
+/- |
References
edit- 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.