Sicilian Defense
400 variations · B20 to B99
The idea
Asymmetrical and sharp.
c5 instead of e5: after the trade on d4, Black has two center pawns to one, and White has more space to attack quickly.
Where it comes from
The Sicilian Defense is centuries old: Giulio Polerio analysed it in a manuscript as early as 1594. The English master Jacob Sarratt fixed the name in 1813. It fell out of favour in the late nineteenth century, but in the twentieth century that turned around completely. Through Fischer and Kasparov, both world champions, it came to be seen as the defense against 1.e4 that gives Black the most winning chances. According to Modern Chess Openings it became the most played and most analysed opening, at club and master level alike.
The opening itself
B20 · 1 move
Sicilian Defense
In the trainer
This opening is in the trainer. Play the moves of the line; if you deviate, you'll see which move theory recommends.
Variations 400
Names and moves from lichess-org/chess-openings (CC0).