ECO B33 · for Black
Sicilian Defense: Sveshnikov Variation
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.
669,263 games in this band reached the Sveshnikov Variation position. From there Black won 47% and drew 4%.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 Be7 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Nd5 O-O 11. c3
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... 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.
Moves 3 to 4
3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
3. d4
Breaking in the center, the main line of the Classical Sicilian.
3... cxd4
Exchanging pawns, practically the only good move.
4. Nxd4
Recapturing the pawn, this is the Open Sicilian.
4... Nf6
Developing while attacking the weak pawn.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6
5. Nc3
Defending the e4 pawn.
5... e5
Attacking the knight and forcing it to move at the cost of a couple positional weaknesses.
6. Ndb5
Threatening Nd6+, winning the bishop pair. This move more or less forces black to play d6.
- 6. Nxc6: Capturing the knight on c6 to avoid the threat, but after Black recaptures there will no longer be a weakness on d5.
- 6. Nb3: Retreating the knight and aiming to take advantage of the weak d5 square.
6... d6
Preventing Nd6+ and allowing for activation of the light squared bishop.
Moves 7 to 8
7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 Be7
7. Bg5
Placing a pin on the f6 knight, intending to take advantage of the weak d5 square.
- 7. Nd5: Using the key d5 square to attack and gain space while also threatening Nc7+.
7... a6
Forcing either the knight to retreat or play Bxf6.
8. Na3
Retreating the knight to a3 and pursuing the plan of utilizing the d5 hole.
- 8. Bxf6: Capturing Black’s f6 knight before retreating the b5 knight.
8... Be7
- 8... b5: Gaining space on the queenside and threatening to fork the two knights with b4.
Moves 9 to 11
9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Nd5 O-O 11. c3
9. Bxf6
9... Bxf6
10. Nd5
10... O-O
11. c3
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.
- The light-squared bishop typically develops to e6
- The bishop on f6 often moves to g5
- The knight on c6 often moves to e7
- The bishop on g5 often moves to h6
- The queenside rook generally develops to b8
- Common pawn moves are f5 and b5
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black