Tree path 4 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Closed › Carlsen Variation
B23

Sicilian Defense: Closed, Carlsen Variation

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Overview

Sicilian Defense: Closed, Carlsen Variation is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B23.

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.

The line arises from 9 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2.

In the opening tree, this line branches off from Sicilian Defense: Closed, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.

Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.

ECO code
B23
Group
Semi-Open Games (B)
Plies
9
Parent
Sicilian Defense: Closed

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

121,839 games · White 53.9% / Draw 4.5% / Black 41.7%

MovesGamesW / D / B
Nf667,065
g632,302
a66,779
e65,763
Bd74,830
e54,242
Be6169
Bg4168

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:00:06

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