Chess Codex
Tree path 9 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › Old Sicilian › Sicilian Defense: Open › Sicilian Defense: Open › Sicilian Defense: Open › Sicilian Defense: Open › Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation
  1. Chess Codex
  2. King's Pawn Game B00
  3. Sicilian Defense B20
  4. Sicilian Defense B27
  5. Old Sicilian B30
  6. Sicilian Defense: Open B32
  7. Sicilian Defense: Open B32
  8. Sicilian Defense: Open B32
  9. Sicilian Defense: Open B33
  10. Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation B33 you are here
B33

Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation

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Overview

Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation is a specific line in the Semi-Open Games family (ECO B33), 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 is reached after 10 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5.

The line refines Sicilian Defense: Open, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.

The line splits into 5 documented sub-systems: Bird Variation, Exchange Variation, Retreat Variation, and others.

In total, the branch covers 9 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
B33
Group
Semi-Open Games (B)
Plies
10
Parent
Sicilian Defense: Open
Direct variations
5
Total in subtree
9

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

3,643,979 games · White 47.3% / Draw 5.8% / Black 46.9%

MovesGamesW / D / B
Ndb52,177,022
Nxc6494,911
Nb3442,188
Nf3272,545
Nf5212,017
Nde232,809
Be35,077
Bg52,105

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:14:05

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Variations (5)

Related variations at the same level

Sister lines that share the same parent Sicilian Defense: Open:

Show all 9 sub-variations (full subtree)

https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-lasker-pelikan-variation