B27
Sicilian Defense
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3
In the Sicilian Defense, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.
The Sicilian Defense is a chess opening classified under ECO code B27. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3: 3 moves in, with Black to play.
Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.
Dozens of named variations branch from this position; the list at the end of the page goes one move deeper into each.
Play the Sicilian Defense? See where you go wrong.
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Analyze my games free →Variations of the Sicilian Defense
- Amazon Attack1. e4 c5 2. Qg4
- Big Clamp Formation1. e4 c5 2. d3 Nc6 3. c3 d6 4. f4
- Bowdler Attack1. e4 c5 2. Bc4
- Brick Variation1. e4 c5 2. Nh3
- Euwe Attack, Prins Gambit1. e4 c5 2. b3 d5 3. Bb2
- Gloria Variation1. e4 c5 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 h5
- Grob Variation1. e4 c5 2. g4
- Keres Variation1. e4 c5 2. Ne2
- King David's Opening1. e4 c5 2. Ke2
- Kronberger Variation1. e4 c5 2. Na3
- Kronberger Variation, Nemeth Gambit1. e4 c5 2. Na3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Bc4
- Lasker-Dunne Attack1. e4 c5 2. g3
- Mengarini Variation1. e4 c5 2. a3
- Myers Attack, with a41. e4 c5 2. a4
- Myers Attack, with h41. e4 c5 2. h4
- Snyder Variation1. e4 c5 2. b3
- Snyder Variation, Queen Fianchetto Variation1. e4 c5 2. b3 b6
- Staunton-Cochrane Variation1. e4 c5 2. c4
- Wing Gambit1. e4 c5 2. b4
- Wing Gambit, Abrahams Variation1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. Bb2
- Wing Gambit, Carlsbad Variation1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 bxa3
- Wing Gambit, Marienbad Variation1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Bb2
- Wing Gambit, Marshall Variation1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3
- Wing Gambit, Nanu Gambit1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 e5 6. c4 Qe6 7. Bd3
- Wing Gambit, Romanian Defense1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 e5 6. Bb2 Nc6 7. c4 Qe6
- Wing Gambit, Santasiere Variation1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. c4
- Smith-Morra Gambit1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3
- Coles Sicilian Gambit1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qd1 Nf6 5. Bc4
- Halasz Gambit1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. f4
- McDonnell Attack1. e4 c5 2. f4
- McDonnell Attack, Tal Gambit1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 Nf6
- McDonnell Attack, Toilet Variation1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. Nc3
- Morphy Gambit1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Nf3
- Morphy Gambit, Andreaschek Gambit1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Nf3 e5 4. c3
- Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3
- Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Chicago Defense1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nf3 d6 7. O-O a6 8. Qe2 b5 9. Bb3 Ra7
- Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Classical Formation1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Nf6
- Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Danish Variation1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nf3
- Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Fianchetto Defense1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 g6
- Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Finegold Defense1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Be7 8. Qe2 Nf6
Related openings
Sicilian DefenseSicilian Defense: Amazon AttackSicilian Defense: Big Clamp FormationSicilian Defense: Bowdler AttackSicilian Defense: Brick VariationSicilian Defense: Euwe Attack, Prins GambitSicilian Defense: Gloria VariationSicilian Defense: Grob VariationSicilian Defense: Keres VariationSicilian Defense: King David's Opening