Chess Opening Tutorial : Sicilian Defense

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Sicilian Defense - 2...e6 Variations

Chess Opening Tutorial

Overview - 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6

A: Introduction
B: Related Opening : the Scheveningen Variation
C: Related Opening : the Sveshnikov Variation
D: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be2
E: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3
F: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.g3
G: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6
H: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3
I: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3
J: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4

A: Introduction

Diagram: After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4
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The diagram shows the position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 (ECO B40-49). Unlike the 2...d6 variations, Black keeps the a3-f8 diagonal open for the Bishop on f8. The move ...Bb4 is often an option and ...Bc5 is sometimes possible. After 4.Nxd4, Black has three moves which are equally popular.

4...Nc6 is the Taimanov Variation (ECO B45-49). The most common continuation is 5.Nc3 when Black has

5...Qc7 expecting 6.Be2 & 7.Be3, 6.Be3 & 7.Bd3, or 6.g3. Black isn't afraid of 6.Ndb5 Qb8 and ...a6 at the right time.

5...Nf6 expecting 6.Ndb5 or 6.Nxc6.

5...a6 leading to lines handled under 4...a6, e.g. 6.Be2 Qc7, 6.g3 Qc7, and 6.Be3 Qc7. This move order prevents c2-c4 and Bf1-d3. Two independent variations are 6.Nxc6 bxc6 and 6.f4 Qc7.

The alternatives 5.Nb5 and 5.c4 (ECO B44) are discussed under the Sveshnikov.

4...a6 is the Kan Variation (ECO B41-43), sometimes called the Paulsen Variation. Black delays all decisions about development and stops Nd4-b5. In contrast to the two alternatives, this leaves White the widest choice of moves: 5.Nc3, 5.Bd3, and 5.c4 are all possible.

4...Nf6 usually leads to one of the variations covered under Black's other 4th moves. One move to avoid is 5.e5? Qa5+.

B: Related Opening : the Scheveningen Variation

Diagram: White to move
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The moves 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6, shown in the diagram, are called the Scheveningen Variation. We treat this elsewhere using the different move order 2...d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6, where Black's 2nd and 5th moves have been switched.
Also leading to the Scheveningen is 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 d6. Black has played ...Nc6 instead of ...Nf6, but this is only temporary. The Knight on g8 doesn't have many options. If it moves to e7, where will the Bishop on f8 be developed? Some examples leading quickly to the Scheveningen are

6.Be3 Nf6; White has 7.Bc4, 7.Be2, 7.f4, and 7.f3.
6.Be2 Nf6.
6.Be2 a6 7.Be3 Nf6.
where the move ...Nf6 is practically unavoidable.

C: Related Opening : the Sveshnikov Variation

Diagram: Black to move
***
The diagram shows the position after 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5. This is called the Sveshnikov Variation, which is more often played using the move order 2...Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5.
It may seem surprising that Black can play ...e6 and later ...e5 without losing a tempo. This is possible because White has also lost a tempo with the sequence Bc1-f4-g5.
Another line which really does lose a tempo, but for White, is 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6. Compare the position after 5.Nb5 d6 6.Bf4 e5 7.Be3 Nf6 8.Bg5, with the diagram. You will see that it is a tempo behind the Sveshnikov.
White isn't forced to play 6.Bf4. Another possibility is 6.c4, followed by 6...Nf6 7.N1c3 a6 8.Na3 Be7 (8...d5 is known as Kasparov's Gambit). White should only grab space with c2-c4 after moving the Knight off d4. This is shown in the variation 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 where the exposed position of the Knight on d4 weakens the White center.

D: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be2

Diagram: Black to move
***
An important line of the Taimanov Variation is 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be2, as shown in the diagram. Now after 6...a6 White has several possibilities.

The most popular continuation, and the most straightforward, is 7.O-O Nf6 8.Be3. Black has two good moves, the first more aggressive than the second.

8...Bb4. White can play 9.Na4 and if 9...Nxe4 then 10.Nxc6 Qxc6 11.Nb6 Rb8 12.Qd4 forks the Bb4 and Pg7. More solid are 9...Be7 and 9...O-O; either move can be followed by 10.Nxc6 or 10.c4.

8...Be7 when White usually continues 9.f4.

White can also try 8.Kh1 preparing 9.f4.

7.Be3 delays the castling decision. Black has 7...Nf6 or 7...b5.

7.f4 mixes the game up. Black has 7...b5, 7...Nxd4, or 7...d6.

E: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3

Diagram: Black to move
***

The diagram shows the position after 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3. With this move order White protects the Knight on d4 and retains the possibility of playing Bd3 instead of Be2. Black usually plays 6...a6.
Now if White plays 7.Bd3, the game often continues 7...Nf6 8.O-O, when Black has a choice among the moves 8...Ne5, 8...b5, 8...Nxd4, and 8...Bd6. Black's main alternative at the 7th move is 7...b5; White can continue 8.O-O or 8.Nxc6.
White can also try 7.Qd2 Nf6. The move 7.Be2 transposes into the variations that follow 6.Be2.

F: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.g3

Diagram: Black to move
***
As an alternative to developing the light squared Bishop on its long diagonal, White can fianchetto it. The diagram shows the position after the moves 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.g3. Black's usual move is 6...a6. Black should avoid 6...Nf6? Nbd5.
After the natural 7.Bg2, the main continuations are

7...Nf6 8.O-O

8...Be7 9.Re1
8...d6 9.Re1
8...Nxd4 9.Qxd4
8...Bc5 9.Nxc6 or 9. Nb3.

7...d6 8.O-O

G: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6

Diagram: White to move
***
After 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6, as shown in the diagram, the sequence 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5 is the Sveshnikov Variation that we treat under 2...Nc6.
After 6.Ndb5, Black can also try 6...Bb4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 d5 9.exd5. Now both 9...exd5 and 9...Nxd5 are playable.
White also has 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4. Now Black has the choice of 8...Qc7, 8...f5, 8...Bb7, and 8...Qa5+.

H: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3

Diagram: Black to move
***
Our first position from the Kan Variation, 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 followed by 5.Nc3, is shown in the diagram. Black has two familiar moves.

5...Qc7 Now 6.Be2 Nc6, 6.g3 Nc6, and 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Be3 all lead to positions we saw after 4...Nc6. After 6.Bd3 Nf6 7.O-O, Black can steer into the same lines with 7...Nc6, or try ideas like 7...d6, 7...Bc5, 7...b5, and 7...Be7.

Not too surprisingly, 5...Nc6 also leads to familiar lines after 6.Be2 Qc7, 6.Be3 Qc7, or 6.g3 Qc7. Independent continuations are 6.Be2 Nge7, where White has 7.Be3, 7.O-O, 7.Bf4, and 7.f4; and 6.Nxc6 bxc6.

More unusual is

5...b5. White usually continues 6.Bd3, to allow the retreat of the Knight to e2. Now Black can develop behind the b-Pawn with 6...Qb6 (7.Nb3, 7.Nf3, 7.Be3) or 6...Bb7 7.O-O.

I: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3

Diagram: Black to move
***
If after 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6, White wants to avoid moving the Queenside Knight into possible attack by ...b5, a good continuation is 5.Bd3 as shown in the diagram. Black has many possible continuations.
The most natural move is undoubtedly 5...Nf6. After 6.O-O Black can commit the Queen with 6...Qc7. Now 7.Nc3 leads back to familiar lines which White can avoid with 7.Qe2 or 7.c4. Black can also play 6...d6, allowing 7.c4 which can lead to a Hedgehog position after moves like 7...Be7, 8...O-O, 9...Nbd7, 10...b6, and 11...Bb7. Black should definitely avoid 6...d5 7.e5 Nfd7 8.Nxe6!
Also possible is 5...Bc5 6.Nb3. After 6...Ba7, White can castle 7.O-O (7...Nc6 or 7...Ne7), or play 7.Qe2. This prepares Be3 and leaves the option of O-O-O, e.g. 7...Nc6 8.Be3 Bxe3 9.Qxe3 Nf6 10.Nc3 d6 11.O-O-O. Black can also retreat with 6...Be7 (7.O-O or 7.Qg4).
Also playable for Black are 5...Qc7 (6.Nc3 or 6.O-O), 5...Nc6 6.Nxc6 (6...dxc6 or 6...bxc6), 5...Ne7 preparing 6...Nbc6 7.Nxc6 Nxc6, 5...g6, and 5...b5.

J: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4

Diagram: Black to move
***
After 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6, another way of stopping ...b5 is with the blunt 5.c4. After the obvious 5...Nf6 6.Nc3, Black can try

6...Qc7, followed by 7.a3 (preventing ...Bb4), 7.Be2 Bb4 8.Nc2 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Nc6 (9...Nxe4 10.Qd4 Nf6 11.Bf4), 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nde2, or even 7.Nc2.

6...Bb4 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Bc2 Qc7 (8...Ne5 9.O-O Nxc4 10.Qe2 with the initiative) 9.O-O.

6...d6 7.Be2 with an eventual ...Bf3.

In this tutorial we have only given an overview of the many plans available to both players. The watchwords for the Sicilian ...e6 variations are flexibility and double-edged play.

Sicilian Defense - 2...e6 Variations
Chess Opening Tutorial
Overview - 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 A: Introduction B: Related Opening : the Scheveningen Variation C: Related Opening : the Sveshnikov Variation D: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be2 E: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 F: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.g3 G: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 H: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 I: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 J: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 A: Introduction Diagram: After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 * The diagram shows the position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 (ECO B40-49). Unlike the 2...d6 variations, Black keeps the a3-f8 diagonal open for the Bishop on f8. The move ...Bb4 is often an option and ...Bc5 is sometimes possible. After 4.Nxd4, Black has three moves which are equally popular. 4...Nc6 is the Taimanov Variation (ECO B45-49). The most common continuation is 5.Nc3 when Black has 5...Qc7 expecting 6.Be2 & 7.Be3, 6.Be3 & 7.Bd3, or 6.g3. Black isn't afraid of 6.Ndb5 Qb8 and ...a6 at the right time. 5...Nf6 expecting 6.Ndb5 or 6.Nxc6. 5...a6 leading to lines handled under 4...a6, e.g. 6.Be2 Qc7, 6.g3 Qc7, and 6.Be3 Qc7. This move order prevents c2-c4 and Bf1-d3. Two independent variations are 6.Nxc6 bxc6 and 6.f4 Qc7. The alternatives 5.Nb5 and 5.c4 (ECO B44) are discussed under the Sveshnikov. 4...a6 is the Kan Variation (ECO B41-43), sometimes called the Paulsen Variation. Black delays all decisions about development and stops Nd4-b5. In contrast to the two alternatives, this leaves White the widest choice of moves: 5.Nc3, 5.Bd3, and 5.c4 are all possible. 4...Nf6 usually leads to one of the variations covered under Black's other 4th moves. One move to avoid is 5.e5? Qa5+. B: Related Opening : the Scheveningen Variation Diagram: White to move * The moves 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6, shown in the diagram, are called the Scheveningen Variation. We treat this elsewhere using the different move order 2...d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6, where Black's 2nd and 5th moves have been switched. Also leading to the Scheveningen is 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 d6. Black has played ...Nc6 instead of ...Nf6, but this is only temporary. The Knight on g8 doesn't have many options. If it moves to e7, where will the Bishop on f8 be developed? Some examples leading quickly to the Scheveningen are 6.Be3 Nf6; White has 7.Bc4, 7.Be2, 7.f4, and 7.f3. 6.Be2 Nf6. 6.Be2 a6 7.Be3 Nf6. where the move ...Nf6 is practically unavoidable. C: Related Opening : the Sveshnikov Variation Diagram: Black to move * The diagram shows the position after 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5. This is called the Sveshnikov Variation, which is more often played using the move order 2...Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5. It may seem surprising that Black can play ...e6 and later ...e5 without losing a tempo. This is possible because White has also lost a tempo with the sequence Bc1-f4-g5. Another line which really does lose a tempo, but for White, is 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6. Compare the position after 5.Nb5 d6 6.Bf4 e5 7.Be3 Nf6 8.Bg5, with the diagram. You will see that it is a tempo behind the Sveshnikov. White isn't forced to play 6.Bf4. Another possibility is 6.c4, followed by 6...Nf6 7.N1c3 a6 8.Na3 Be7 (8...d5 is known as Kasparov's Gambit). White should only grab space with c2-c4 after moving the Knight off d4. This is shown in the variation 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 where the exposed position of the Knight on d4 weakens the White center. D: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be2 Diagram: Black to move * An important line of the Taimanov Variation is 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be2, as shown in the diagram. Now after 6...a6 White has several possibilities. The most popular continuation, and the most straightforward, is 7.O-O Nf6 8.Be3. Black has two good moves, the first more aggressive than the second. 8...Bb4. White can play 9.Na4 and if 9...Nxe4 then 10.Nxc6 Qxc6 11.Nb6 Rb8 12.Qd4 forks the Bb4 and Pg7. More solid are 9...Be7 and 9...O-O; either move can be followed by 10.Nxc6 or 10.c4. 8...Be7 when White usually continues 9.f4. White can also try 8.Kh1 preparing 9.f4. 7.Be3 delays the castling decision. Black has 7...Nf6 or 7...b5. 7.f4 mixes the game up. Black has 7...b5, 7...Nxd4, or 7...d6. E: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 Diagram: Black to move * The diagram shows the position after 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3. With this move order White protects the Knight on d4 and retains the possibility of playing Bd3 instead of Be2. Black usually plays 6...a6. Now if White plays 7.Bd3, the game often continues 7...Nf6 8.O-O, when Black has a choice among the moves 8...Ne5, 8...b5, 8...Nxd4, and 8...Bd6. Black's main alternative at the 7th move is 7...b5; White can continue 8.O-O or 8.Nxc6. White can also try 7.Qd2 Nf6. The move 7.Be2 transposes into the variations that follow 6.Be2. F: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.g3 Diagram: Black to move * As an alternative to developing the light squared Bishop on its long diagonal, White can fianchetto it. The diagram shows the position after the moves 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.g3. Black's usual move is 6...a6. Black should avoid 6...Nf6? Nbd5. After the natural 7.Bg2, the main continuations are 7...Nf6 8.O-O 8...Be7 9.Re1 8...d6 9.Re1 8...Nxd4 9.Qxd4 8...Bc5 9.Nxc6 or 9. Nb3. 7...d6 8.O-O G: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 Diagram: White to move * After 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6, as shown in the diagram, the sequence 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bf4 e5 8.Bg5 is the Sveshnikov Variation that we treat under 2...Nc6. After 6.Ndb5, Black can also try 6...Bb4 7.a3 Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3 d5 9.exd5. Now both 9...exd5 and 9...Nxd5 are playable. White also has 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5 Nd5 8.Ne4. Now Black has the choice of 8...Qc7, 8...f5, 8...Bb7, and 8...Qa5+. H: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 Diagram: Black to move * Our first position from the Kan Variation, 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 followed by 5.Nc3, is shown in the diagram. Black has two familiar moves. 5...Qc7 Now 6.Be2 Nc6, 6.g3 Nc6, and 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Be3 all lead to positions we saw after 4...Nc6. After 6.Bd3 Nf6 7.O-O, Black can steer into the same lines with 7...Nc6, or try ideas like 7...d6, 7...Bc5, 7...b5, and 7...Be7. Not too surprisingly, 5...Nc6 also leads to familiar lines after 6.Be2 Qc7, 6.Be3 Qc7, or 6.g3 Qc7. Independent continuations are 6.Be2 Nge7, where White has 7.Be3, 7.O-O, 7.Bf4, and 7.f4; and 6.Nxc6 bxc6. More unusual is 5...b5. White usually continues 6.Bd3, to allow the retreat of the Knight to e2. Now Black can develop behind the b-Pawn with 6...Qb6 (7.Nb3, 7.Nf3, 7.Be3) or 6...Bb7 7.O-O. I: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Diagram: Black to move * If after 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6, White wants to avoid moving the Queenside Knight into possible attack by ...b5, a good continuation is 5.Bd3 as shown in the diagram. Black has many possible continuations. The most natural move is undoubtedly 5...Nf6. After 6.O-O Black can commit the Queen with 6...Qc7. Now 7.Nc3 leads back to familiar lines which White can avoid with 7.Qe2 or 7.c4. Black can also play 6...d6, allowing 7.c4 which can lead to a Hedgehog position after moves like 7...Be7, 8...O-O, 9...Nbd7, 10...b6, and 11...Bb7. Black should definitely avoid 6...d5 7.e5 Nfd7 8.Nxe6! Also possible is 5...Bc5 6.Nb3. After 6...Ba7, White can castle 7.O-O (7...Nc6 or 7...Ne7), or play 7.Qe2. This prepares Be3 and leaves the option of O-O-O, e.g. 7...Nc6 8.Be3 Bxe3 9.Qxe3 Nf6 10.Nc3 d6 11.O-O-O. Black can also retreat with 6...Be7 (7.O-O or 7.Qg4). Also playable for Black are 5...Qc7 (6.Nc3 or 6.O-O), 5...Nc6 6.Nxc6 (6...dxc6 or 6...bxc6), 5...Ne7 preparing 6...Nbc6 7.Nxc6 Nxc6, 5...g6, and 5...b5. J: 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Diagram: Black to move * After 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6, another way of stopping ...b5 is with the blunt 5.c4. After the obvious 5...Nf6 6.Nc3, Black can try 6...Qc7, followed by 7.a3 (preventing ...Bb4), 7.Be2 Bb4 8.Nc2 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Nc6 (9...Nxe4 10.Qd4 Nf6 11.Bf4), 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nde2, or even 7.Nc2. 6...Bb4 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Bc2 Qc7 (8...Ne5 9.O-O Nxc4 10.Qe2 with the initiative) 9.O-O. 6...d6 7.Be2 with an eventual ...Bf3. In this tutorial we have only given an overview of the many plans available to both players. The watchwords for the Sicilian ...e6 variations are flexibility and double-edged play.