ChessThe Sicilian Defense is 1. e4 c5. White's pawn has taken e4, but Black doesn't copy with e5. Instead Black keeps an eye on d4 from the side with the c-pawn. The pawns are different from the very first move, so the games are full of variety. That's why it's the most common answer to 1. e4 in professional chess. To get a feel for it, you can play chess vs computer right away.
Moves and position
The most common way to play it is called the Open Sicilian:
1. e4 c5Black's pawn controls d4 from the side, so White can't easily put two pawns in the center.2. Nf3 d6White's knight comes out to prepare d4. Black plays d6 first to keep hold of the e5 square.3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4White opens the center, and Black trades the c-pawn for White's d-pawn.4... Nf6 5. Nc3Black's knight attacks e4, and White's knight comes out to defend it.
Why is Black happy to trade like this? Black gives a flank pawn (the c-pawn) for White's center pawn (the d-pawn), so Black has one more pawn in the middle. With the c-file open, Black's rooks can attack White's queenside down that file. White, for its part, develops fast and often goes straight for Black's king.
What White wants
- Lead in development: White's knight is already in the center, and the bishops and queen come out soon. White wants to attack early.
- Attack the kingside: in many lines White plays f3 and Qd2, then castles queenside and pushes pawns toward Black's king.
- Take d5: when Black's pawns are on d6, e6 or e5, d5 is often the best square for a white knight.
What Black wants
- Counterattack on the c-file: put a rook on the c-file and, with the queen and knights, hit back on the queenside.
- An extra center pawn: when the time is right, push d5 or e5 to get the center pawns rolling.
- Embrace the imbalance: each side attacks in a different direction, and it's a race to reach the other king. That's why Black plays this to win, not just to draw.
Main lines
The Sicilian has a huge number of lines. Here are the five most common.
Najdorf: 5... a6
It looks like just a small pawn move, but it's very flexible. Black takes control of b5 first, and later can push b5 to expand on the queenside or play e5 to kick White's knight. It's the most famous line of the Sicilian, and many world champions have made it their main weapon. White's four main tries and the common traps are fully illustrated on the Najdorf Variation page.
Dragon: 5... g6
One story says the pawn shape looks like the Draco constellation in the sky, which is how the Dragon got its name. Black's bishop on g7 is very powerful. White's most aggressive plan is to castle queenside and push h4 and h5 to rip open the h-file against Black's king. Both sides are racing the clock, and it's thrilling. To see how the Yugoslav Attack goes and how Black hits back, read the Dragon Variation page.
Accelerated Dragon: 2... Nc6 and 4... g6
The difference from the Dragon is that Black's pawn is still on d7, so later it can go all the way to d5 in one move, saving time. White's usual answer is 5. c4, using the c- and e-pawns to clamp down on d5. The game becomes slower and steadier.
Scheveningen: 5... e6
This pawn setup is very solid. Black gets the pieces in place first and hits back once White attacks. White has a fierce option, 6. g4, which chases the black knight with a pawn right away. It's called the Keres Attack, and attacking players love it.
Alapin: 2. c3
If you're White and don't want to memorize piles of Open Sicilian theory, the Alapin is a very practical choice. Black's most common replies are 2... Nf6, attacking e4, or 2... d5, trading pawns in the center right away.
A common trap: the Siberian Trap
This trap shows up in the Smith-Morra Gambit, where White gives a pawn first (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3). Black's queen is on c7 and a knight jumps to g4, so the two pieces gang up on h2:
If White casually takes the knight on d4:
Why does this happen? The white knight on f3 was the one guarding h2. Once it goes off to take on d4, nothing can capture the black queen on h2. Even if White doesn't take the knight and moves the queen back to d1, Black can play 10... Nxf3+ first and then mate with Qh2.
The right plan: when you see the black queen and knight both aimed at h2, don't play h3 on move 9. Deal with the threat first (for example, 9. g3 to block the diagonal). Remember this: when two enemy pieces aim at the same square, count who's defending that square.
Show answer
10... Qh2# The black queen charges down the diagonal from c7 to h2. The black knight on g4 protects h2, so the white king can't take the queen, and its own rook on f1 blocks the escape.
Who it suits
- Black players who want to win: the position is unbalanced, so it rarely turns into a dull draw.
- Players who love calculating and trading attacks: the Dragon and the Najdorf are both very sharp.
- Players who want something steadier: the Scheveningen builds a wall first and hits back later. With White, the Alapin lets you sidestep the heavy theory.
Like the French Defense, it's a "semi-open" defense against 1. e4. The difference is that the Sicilian hits back from the side and gets sharper, while the French holds the center first and is more solid.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sicilian Defense good for beginners?
You can play it, but be ready: there are lots of lines, and White's attacks come fast. It's a good idea to get comfortable with the three opening principles first (take the center, develop quickly, castle early), then start with an easier line like the Accelerated Dragon or the Scheveningen.
What does a6 in the Najdorf actually do?
Mostly it controls b5: it stops White's knights and bishop from jumping to b5 to cause trouble, and it prepares a later b5 push. It's a slow move, but it keeps a lot of options open for Black.
As White against the Sicilian, do I have to play 3. d4?
No. The Open Sicilian (3. d4) is the main line, but there's a lot to learn. For something simpler, try the Alapin with 2. c3, or just develop and play slowly.
Try it yourself
Use the button below to start a game against the computer from the Sicilian Defense position, and find out whether you like the Dragon or the Najdorf better. To see other openings, go back to the openings guide. To try a different level, head back to the free chess game home page.
Play this opening against the computer