Semi-open games

Sicilian Defense

1.e4 c5

The Sicilian Defense starts with 1.e4 c5 and is catalogued under ECO B20, in the semi-open games half of the book. The catalog indexes 388 lines inside it, grouped into 327 named variations, and the position after those moves has 20 playable continuations to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.

Current position
Sicilian Defense
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.e4

    Claims the center with a pawn and opens lines for the queen and king’s bishop.

    Idea: Build quick development and make early castling possible.

  2. 1…c5

    Challenges d4 from the flank instead of mirroring White’s e-pawn.

    Idea: Create an unbalanced center and active queenside counterplay.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

20 moves
Nf3Sicilian Defense252 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Open · Sicilian Defense: Kopec SystemDevelops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.d4Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit28 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Halasz Gambit · Sicilian Defense: Morphy GambitAdvances to d4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.Nc3Sicilian Defense: Closed15 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack · Sicilian Defense: Closed, Grob AttackDevelops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.c3Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation11 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Heidenfeld Variation · Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz AttackAdvances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.b4Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit8 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Nanu Gambit · Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit, Romanian DefenseAdvances the b-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.f4Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack5 named lines · King's Gambit Declined: Mafia Defense · Bird Opening: Dutch Variation, Batavo GambitAdvances the f-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.b3Sicilian Defense: Czerniak Attack3 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Euwe Attack, Prins Gambit · Sicilian Defense: Czerniak Attack, Queen Fianchetto VariationAdvances the b-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.c4Sicilian Defense: Staunton-Cochrane Variation2 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Gloria VariationAdvances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Na3Sicilian Defense: Kronberger Variation2 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Kronberger Variation, Nemeth GambitDevelops the knight to a3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.a3Sicilian Defense: Mengarini Variation1 named lineAdvances the a-pawn to gain queenside edge space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.a4Sicilian Defense: Myers Attack, with a41 named lineAdvances the a-pawn to gain queenside edge space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Bc4Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack1 named lineDevelops the bishop to c4, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.d3Sicilian Defense1 named line · Sicilian Defense: Big Clamp FormationAdvances to d3 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.g3Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Dunne Attack1 named lineAdvances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.g4Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation1 named lineAdvances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.h4Sicilian Defense: Myers Attack, with h41 named lineAdvances the h-pawn to gain kingside edge space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Ke2Sicilian Defense: King David's Opening1 named lineRepositions the king to e2, where it influences a new part of the board.Idea: Improve king safety or step toward a more useful endgame square.Ne2Sicilian Defense: Keres Variation1 named lineDevelops the knight to e2, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Nh3Sicilian Defense: Brick Variation1 named lineDevelops the knight to h3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Qg4Sicilian Defense: Amazon Attack1 named lineRepositions the queen to g4, where it influences a new part of the board.Idea: Coordinate threats carefully while avoiding unnecessary tempi against the queen.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Sicilian Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

303 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

Openings from the same volume

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Sicilian Defense.