Sicilian Defense | Lesson 42

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Lesson 42 will help you learn the Sicilian Defense chess opening, and this is the Main Page for the Sicilian Defense on this website. Find the data and description, the main lines and variations of the Sicilian Defense in Part I on this page. See the video under the name of "Sicilian Defense Main Variations" in Part II.

Find more links on the Sicilian Defense in Part III at the bottom. The bottom links will open other pages to learn the following main variations of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation (text, video), Najdorf Variation PGN File (pgn download), Dragon Variation (text, video), Scheveningen Variation (text, video).

I. Sicilian Defense: Data and Description

Chess Opening Name: Sicilian Defense
Type: Semi-Open Game (1.e4 other than e5)
Moves: 1.e4 c5
ECO: B20-B99



The Sicilian Defense chess opening was invented by Giulio Polerio in 1594. This opening was first named as Sicilian Defense by Jacob Sarratt in 1813. The Sicilian Defense is the most popular opening in the game of chess. It is an organic chess opening, beautiful, and considered as the best defense for Black.

Because the Sicilian Defense is strong defense for Black, sometimes White avoids this opening by starting the game with 1.d4. There are 3 main lines that cover 70% of all Sicilian play as follows. 1st Line: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 ~ 30%. 2nd Line: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 ~ 25%. 3rd Line: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 ~ 15%.

The Sicilian Defense has many variations. The Najdorf, Dragon and Scheveningen variations are the most common in the Sicilian. They all run via 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6. The following is the list of 15 main Sicilian variations - in the order of popularity. You can see these variations in the video below.

• Najdorf variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6, B90-B99.
• Dragon variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6, B70-B79.
• Scheveningen variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6, B80-B89.

• Rossolimo Attack variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, B30-B31.
• Classical variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Be2, B58-B59.
• 2.Nf3 e6 variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6, B40-B49.

• Sicilian Counter-Attack variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4, B40.
• Closed variation [3.g3]: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3, B24-B25.
• Grand Prix Attack variation [3.f4]: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4, B23.

• Alapin variation: 1.e4 c5 2.c3, B22.
• Smith-Morra Gambit variation: 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3, B21.
• Grand Prix Attack variation [2.f4]: 1.e4 c5 2.f4, B21.

• Steinitz variation: 1.e4 c5 2.g3, B20.
• Keres variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Ne2, B20.
• Wing Gambit variation: 1.e4 c5 2.b4, B20.

II. Sicilian Defense: Video Main Variations

The below video on the Sicilian Defense runs for 4 minutes and 37 seconds, and it includes the following 3 parts. Part I is a general description of the Sicilian Defense. Part II will show 3 main lines of playing the opening. Part III will show 15 main variations of the Sicilian. To see the video, click the Play button below:




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III. Sicilian Defense: More Links

More links on the Sicilian Defense chess opening will be placed here below at a later stage. They will show you how to correctly play the main variations of the Sicilian Defense. Thank you for you patience! To learn how to play the main variations of the Sicilian Defense, click the following links:

• Sicilian Defense Najdorf Variation [text, video]

• Sicilian Defense Najdorf PGN File [pgn download]

• Sicilian Defense Dragon Variation [text, video]

• Sicilian Defense Scheveningen Variation [text, video]

See all lessons on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com:

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Here, on this you have studied the Sicilian Defense chess opening. Please be advised that this page is the Main page for the Sicilian Defense opening on this website and this was Lesson 42 for beginners and intermediate players on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com. Thank you!

French Defense Tarrasch Variation 3.Nd2

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This page is designed for chess beginners, and it will give you initial knowledge on the Tarrasch variation of the French Defense chess opening. The Tarrasch variation 3.Nd2 of the French Defense (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2) is popular today, and it is the 2nd most common variation of the French, after its main line 3.Nc3.

Tarrasch Variation: Official Data

Variation Name: Tarrasch variation of the French Defense
Variation Moves: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2
ECO Codes: C03-C09



The Tarrasch variation of the French starts with 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2... It is ECO codes C03-C09. At the beginning, White makes slight delay to support the center with his knight from d2. The 2nd White knight may also temporary land on e2. Later, the knights usually jump aside.

The Tarrasch variation of the French is a delicate opening with good chances for the both parties. The typical White moves in this variation at a later stage are: e5, c3, Bd3, Nd2-Nb3, Ne2-Nf3. The typical Black moves in this variation are: c5, Nf6, Bd6 or Be7, later Nc6. Usually, White and Black castle kingside.

Black tries to undermine the White pawn structure... The Tarrasch variation has 4 main lines according to the following Black answers: • 3... Nf6 ~ 40%; • 3... c5 ~ 30%; • 3... dxe4 ~ 10%; • 3... Be7 ~ 5%. The most popular line: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.c3 c5 6.Bd3 Nc6...

French Defense, Tarrasch Variation: Video

To see in a visible way the Tarrasch variation of the French Defense and to learn how to correctly play its 4 proven lines, you are recommended the following video. This video must give you a proper understanding of the Tarrasch variation of the French:




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• Return to the Main Page of French Defense

Here, on this page of chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com you have studied the Tarrasch Variation of the French Defense. The variation starts with 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2; it includes ECO codes C03-C09 in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings. Thank you for your interest in learning chess openings!