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 13 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.

  3. 2.Nf3

    Develops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

13 moves
d6Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations96 named lines · Sicilian Defense · Sicilian Defense: Kopec SystemAdvances to d6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.Nc6Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian60 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Open · Sicilian Defense: Flohr VariationDevelops the knight to c6, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.e6Sicilian Defense: French Variation54 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack · Sicilian Defense: Kan VariationAdvances to e6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.a6Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation20 named lines · Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Réti System · Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Wing GambitAdvances the a-pawn to gain queenside edge space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.g6Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Dragon14 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Acton Extension · Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, UnpinAdvances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Nf6Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation6 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Main Line · Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky VariationDevelops the knight to f6, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.f5Sicilian Defense: Brussels Gambit2 named lines · Sicilian Defense: Double-Dutch GambitAdvances the f-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.b5Sicilian Defense: Polish Gambit1 named lineAdvances the b-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.b6Sicilian Defense: Katalimov Variation1 named lineAdvances the b-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.e5Sicilian Defense: Jalalabad Variation1 named lineAdvances to e5 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.h6Sicilian Defense: Bücker Variation1 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.Qa5Sicilian Defense: Mongoose Variation1 named lineRepositions the queen to a5, where it influences a new part of the board.Idea: Coordinate threats carefully while avoiding unnecessary tempi against the queen.Qc7Sicilian Defense: Quinteros Variation1 named lineRepositions the queen to c7, 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.