The Sicilian Defence is a popular weapon for Black and leads to sharp tactical-rich positions. This chess opening is played often in chess tournaments by all kinds of players and is used by grandmasters at top level chess events.

Black’s idea is to create an asymmetrical structure that allows to play for a win. After the white move 3.d4 Black answers 3…cxd which creates an half-open c-file on which he will apply pressure placing a rook there. Sharp tactical operations occur in the center as well.

White plays in the center and at the kingside.

To master the Sicilian an immense amount of theory has to be learned. This can be done by buying various books about the Sicilian. One book will not be enough as there are many different variations and set ups.

1.e4 c5
White moves

2.Nf3 d6	2.Nf3 Nc6
Replay Chess Games This can lead to the popular Najdorf Variation or to the challenging Dragon Variation If Black sets up a “small center” with pawns on d6 and e6 then this is called the Scheveningen Variation Example: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6	Replay Chess Games Classical Variation Black brings his knight to its most natural square to c6.

2.Nf3 e6	2.Nf3 g6
Replay Chess Games	Replay Chess Games Accelerated Dragon Black avoids playing d6 but wants to play the d-pawn in one go to d5. Example: 3.d4 cxd 4.Nxd Bg7 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2, 8…d5!

2.Nf3 a6	2.Nf3 Nf6
Replay Chess Games	Replay Chess Games

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd 4.Nxd e5 5. Nb5 d6 Kalashnikov Variation Straight forward and easy to remember. Black has to control d5 ( might play Be6 and Nce7 at some stage later on and trading a knight on d5).

Replay Chess Games

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