Tree path 6 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › French Variation › Open › Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Sicilian Defense B20
- Sicilian Defense B27
- French Variation B40
- Open B40
- Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation B41 you are here
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation is a specific line in the Semi-Open Games family (ECO B41), 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.
It begins with 8 plies and takes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 to reach the canonical position.
The line refines Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.
The line splits into 3 documented sub-systems: Knight Variation, Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation, Modern Variation.
Together the deeper variations number 12 across the full subtree.
Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.
- ECO code
- B41
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 8
- Direct variations
- 3
- Total in subtree
- 12
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
7,246,468 games · White 44.8% / Draw 4.8% / Black 50.5%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | 3,771,071 | |
| c4 | 1,276,055 | |
| Bd3 | 847,676 | |
| Be3 | 260,527 | |
| Bc4 | 238,897 | |
| Be2 | 214,960 | |
| a3 | 166,101 | |
| a4 | 115,393 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:48:35
Write a description
Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links).
Submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Variations (3)
Show all 12 sub-variations (full subtree)
- B43 Knight Variation 9-ply
- B41 Maróczy Bind, Réti Variation 9-ply
- B42 Modern Variation 9-ply
- B42 Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation 14-ply
- B41 Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Bronstein Variation 14-ply
- B41 Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Hedgehog Variation 10-ply
- B42 Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Polugaevsky Variation 10-ply
- B42 Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Swiss Cheese Variation 10-ply
- B43 Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack 10-ply
- B41 Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Maróczy Bind, Bronstein Variation 15-ply
- B43 Christiansen's Dream 15-ply
- B43 Spraggett Attack 13-ply