Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation

The Classical Variation of the Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6) can arise from two move orders: with 2...d6 and 5...Nc6, or with 2...Nc6 and 5...d6. Black's choice of move order can help avoid other lines; for example, 2...d6 rules out the Rossolimo Variation.

The idea

Unlike the other main Sicilian systems, Black develops the queen's knight before deciding where the king's bishop goes. The position can still turn into a Dragon, a Scheveningen or a Boleslavsky structure depending on White's sixth move.

Main lines

• 6.Bg5, the Richter-Rauzer Attack, White's most common reply. Kurt Richter invented the move, which threatens to double Black's pawns with Bxf6 and rules out a Dragon with 6...g6. After 6...e6 Vsevolod Rauzer introduced the modern plan of Qd2 and long castling in the 1930s. Black often has to recapture on f6 with the g-pawn, weakening the kingside but getting the bishop pair and a central pawn majority.
• 6.Bc4, the Sozin Attack, bringing the bishop to an aggressive square. After 6...e6 White can castle short with Bb3, the Fischer–Sozin Attack, or castle long with Be3 and Qe2, the Velimirović Attack. Benko's 6...Qb6, the Anti-Sozin, forces White to decide about the d4-knight and leads to more positional play.
• 6.Be2, White's third most common move, when 6...e5 is the Boleslavsky Variation, named after Isaac Boleslavsky; 6...e6 transposes to the Scheveningen and 6...g6 to the Classical Dragon.
• 6.Be3, 6.f3 and 6.g3 (Fianchetto Variation) are less common.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• Natural, flexible development that keeps several structures open.
• A good move-order tool for avoiding the Rossolimo or other unwanted lines.

Weaknesses

• The Richter-Rauzer gives White a clear plan and often damages Black's kingside pawns.
• Against the Sozin and Velimirović Black faces sharp, heavily analysed attacks.

Who should play it

The Classical Sicilian suits Black players who want a sound, flexible Open Sicilian and are ready to study the Richter-Rauzer and Sozin lines.

The numbers

On Lichess the results are almost even at every level: 48.2% for White against 48.1% under 1400, 48.4% against 47.4% at 1400–1799, 47.7% against 47.2% at 1800–2199, and from 2200 up Black is slightly ahead, 46.8% against 46.1%. In about 43,500 master games White won 34.3%, Black 29.1%, and 36.7% were drawn.