ECO B20 · for Black

Sicilian Defense

The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.

127,242,290 games in this band reached the Sicilian Defense position. From there Black won 48% and drew 4%.

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Bg5 Be7

Moves 1 to 2

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6

1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.

1... c5
A counter-attacking opening. The asymmetry generally leads to sharp games.

2. Nf3

2. Bc4: Avoiding major lines of the Sicilian, aiming for an attack on f7.

2... Nc6
Developing a knight to its most natural square, but potentially blocking the c-pawn. This move can lead to the Sveshnikov or Accelerated Dragon lines.

2... d6: Preventing white from playing e5 so that the knight can be developed to f6.
2... e6: Aiming to develop the bishop to e7 and preparing for a Paulsen/Taimanov setup. This move also allows for d5 in one move if white plays d4.

Moves 3 to 4

3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5

3. d4
Breaking in the center, the main line of the Classical Sicilian.

3. Bc4: Targeting the weak f7 square and preparing to castle kingside. This move also allows the queen to develop.
3. Bb5: Putting pressure on the knight on c6, potentially doubling the pawns after Bxc6. This move also prepares to castle kingside.
3. c3: Preparing to play d4 and establish a strong pawn center. This move also allows the queen to develop.

3... cxd4
Exchanging pawns, practically the only good move.

4. Nxd4
Recapturing the pawn, this is the Open Sicilian.

4... e5
Advancing the pawn while attacking the knight.

4... g6: Fianchettoing the bishop to pressure the central dark squares and queenside.
4... Nf6: Developing while attacking the weak pawn.

Moves 5 to 6

5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Nc3 Nf6

5. Nxc6
Capturing the knight on c6, allowing black to relieve the d5 and d6 weaknesses.

5. Nb5: Removing the knight from the threat of the e5 pawn, and threatening Nd6+ which would be positionally crushing.
5. Nf3: Retreating the knight because of the threat and keeping an eye on the e5 pawn. White aims to take advantage of the weak d5 square here while Black aims to play the d5 break eventually.
5. Nb3: Retreating the knight away from the attack and planning to continue by exploiting the weakened d5 square.

5... bxc6
Recapturing with the b-pawn, strengthening the center and removing the weakness that were created earlier.

6. Nc3
Developing the knight and preventing Black's potential d5 break.

6. Bc4: Developing the bishop and preventing Black from playing d5.

6... Nf6
Developing the knight and preparing the d5 break to gain more space in the center.

Move 7

7. Bg5 Be7

7. Bg5

7. Bc4: Adding support to d5.

7... Be7

Plans for Black in this position

What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.

Black typically castles kingside
The queen generally recaptures the bishop on e7
The bishop on e7 usually recaptures the bishop on f6
The queenside rook often develops to b8
The light-squared bishop typically develops to e6
Common pawn moves are h6 and d6

Related opening guides

French Defense for Black
Scandinavian Defense for Black
Caro-Kann Defense for Black
Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
Philidor Defense for Black
Modern Defense for Black

All opening guides