Tree path 6 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › French Variation › Open › Sicilian Defense: Paulsen-Basman Defense
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Sicilian Defense B20
- Sicilian Defense B27
- French Variation B40
- Open B40
- Sicilian Defense: Paulsen-Basman Defense B40 you are here
Sicilian Defense: Paulsen-Basman Defense
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Paulsen-Basman Defense is a specific line in the Semi-Open Games family (ECO B40), 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.
The line arises from 8 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5.
The line refines Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.
Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.
- ECO code
- B40
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 8
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
956,789 games · White 46.9% / Draw 4.2% / Black 48.9%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | 275,556 | |
| Be3 | 251,805 | |
| Nb3 | 251,222 | |
| c3 | 67,180 | |
| Nf3 | 24,676 | |
| c4 | 21,471 | |
| Bc4 | 21,303 | |
| Nb5 | 14,258 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:48:32
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Submissions are reviewed before publishing.