Tree path 9 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Closed › Traditional › Sicilian Defense: Closed, Fianchetto Variation › Sicilian Defense: Closed › Sicilian Defense: Closed › Sicilian Defense: Closed › Sicilian Defense: Closed
Sicilian Defense: Closed
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Closed is a specific line in the Semi-Open Games family (ECO B25), arising from a recognised theoretical position.
The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.
Play reaches this position via 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. f4, after 11 plies of opening development.
The line refines Sicilian Defense: Closed, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.
It continues primarily into one named line, Botvinnik Defense, with f4.
In total, the branch covers 2 sub-variations across all depths.
Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.
- ECO code
- B25
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 11
- Parent
- Sicilian Defense: Closed
- Direct variations
- 1
- Total in subtree
- 2
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
213,332 games · White 49.0% / Draw 6.4% / Black 44.6%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| e6 | 80,377 | |
| Nf6 | 76,049 | |
| e5 | 21,122 | |
| Rb8 | 9,270 | |
| h5 | 5,641 | |
| Bd7 | 4,914 | |
| f5 | 3,807 | |
| a6 | 3,458 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:24:54
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