Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
7,851 games: White 47.2% / Draw 4.6% / Black 48.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation | 2,8342,834 | |
| 1,5631,563 | ||
| 887887 | ||
| 720720 | ||
| 611611 | ||
| 372372 | ||
| 263263 | ||
| 126126 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.21 The position is about equal
Best play: 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Qe1 d5 11. e5 Nd7 12. Bd2 a5 13. b3 f5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation (ECO B85, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Amsterdam Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f4 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. O-O Nc6 (8 moves).
In 7,851 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.2%, Black 48.1% and 4.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 9. Be3, in 36% of those games.
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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation
The most played answer, 9. Be3 (Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation), also scores best for White: 53.5%, with White winning 51.1% and Black 44.1% of 2,834 games. Of the main answers, 9. f5 scores lowest: 43.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 9. Nxc6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation (B85)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-scheveningen-variation-classical-variation-paulsen-variation