Tree path 7 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › French Variation › Open › Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Normal › Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Sicilian Defense B20
- Sicilian Defense B27
- French Variation B40
- Open B40
- Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Normal B40
- Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation B80 you are here
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B80.
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 10 plies and takes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 to reach the canonical position.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Normal, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.
6 distinct sub-variations branch from this opening; prominent examples include Classical Variation, Fianchetto Variation, Keres Attack, and others.
Together the deeper variations number 9 across the full subtree.
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
- B80
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 10
- Direct variations
- 6
- 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
1,737,051 games · White 47.4% / Draw 4.8% / Black 47.7%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Bg5 | 406,475 | |
| Be3 | 347,738 | |
| Be2 | 199,859 | |
| Bc4 | 161,153 | |
| Bd3 | 151,542 | |
| g4 | 132,744 | |
| Bb5+ | 108,837 | |
| f3 | 88,429 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:14:55
Write a description
Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links).
Submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Variations (6)
Show all 9 sub-variations (full subtree)
- B83 Classical Variation 11-ply
- B80 Fianchetto Variation 11-ply
- B81 Keres Attack 11-ply
- B82 Matanovic Attack 11-ply
- B80 Vitolins Variation 11-ply
- B86 Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack 11-ply
- B83 Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation 17-ply
- B82 Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Tal Variation 15-ply
- B83 Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation 19-ply