Sicilian Defense

The Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5) is one of the most popular answers to 1.e4. Instead of copying White with 1...e5, Black fights for the d4-square from the side, which breaks the symmetry and often leads to dynamic, sharp positions.

Origins

The move 1...c5 was analysed by the Italian Giulio Polerio in his 1594 manuscript, and in 1813 the English master Jacob Henry Sarratt fixed the English name "Sicilian Defence". It fell out of favour in the late 19th century and was avoided by most leading players in the early 20th century. It returned in the 1940s and 1950s, and world champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov made it known as the defence that gives Black the most winning chances. The Dragon got its name in 1901 from Fyodor Dus-Chotimirsky, who saw the constellation Draco in Black's pawn structure.

The idea

After 2.Nf3 and 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 (the Open Sicilian), Black has traded a wing pawn for White's centre pawn. That gives Black an extra central pawn and the half-open c-file. White gets a lead in development and more space, and often castles queenside to attack. The result is a race: White attacks the king, while Black counterattacks on the queenside and down the c-file.

Main lines

The Open Sicilian branches according to Black's second move:

• 2...d6: the Najdorf (5...a6), Black's most popular system; the Dragon (5...g6); the Scheveningen (…e6 and …d6).
• 2...Nc6: the Sveshnikov, where Black accepts a hole on d5 in return for activity, and the Accelerated Dragon.
• 2...e6: the flexible Taimanov and Kan.

White can also avoid the main theory with an "Anti-Sicilian": the Alapin (2.c3), the Closed Sicilian (2.Nc3), the Grand Prix Attack, the Rossolimo (2...Nc6 3.Bb5) or the Smith-Morra Gambit (2.d4 cxd4 3.c3).

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• Black plays for a win from the first move, and the positions are rarely symmetrical or dry.
• It is objectively sound at every level, and world champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov played it almost exclusively throughout their careers.
• There are several families of lines to choose from, from sharp (Dragon, Najdorf) to positional (Taimanov, Kan).

Weaknesses

• In the 20th century the Sicilian became the most played and most analysed opening at both club and master level. In sharp lines one forgotten move can lose on the spot.
• Black must be ready for many different Anti-Sicilians, each with its own ideas.
• Black's king often stays in the centre for a while, so a lack of care is punished quickly.

Who should play it

The Sicilian suits players who like dynamic, double-edged positions, who are willing to learn concrete theory and who prefer to take risks for winning chances. Players who want a quiet life against 1.e4 are usually happier with the Caro-Kann or 1...e5.

It is especially effective against 1.e4 players who want a standard open game, because it takes them out of their comfort zone. It is least comfortable against well-prepared Anti-Sicilians: the Alapin and the Rossolimo are chosen at top level precisely because they reduce Black's winning chances.

The numbers

On Lichess the results are close at every rating level: White wins about 47–48% and Black 45–49%. Among masters playing over the board, draws rise to about 43%. White wins 31% and Black 26%.