Sicilian Defense Scheveningen Variation


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This chess information is designed for chess beginners to learn the Scheveningen variation of the Sicilian Defense chess opening. On this page you can find general description of the Scheveningen variation, its main and less common playing lines and see chess video on the Scheveningen variation below.

The Scheveningen variation of the Sicilian Defense was first noticed in 1923 during a chess tournament in the village Scheveningen near the Hague. During the tournament the variation in question was played several times by several chess players, including Euwe playing that variation against Maroczy.

The Sicilian Scheveningen was a favorite variation of the famous chess player Garry Kasparov. It is ambitious and popular today. It may transpose into the Najdorf variation of the Sicilian Defense. Black may build the pawn structure 1... c5 2... d6 3... e6 as an answer to a non-standard White play of the Sicilian.

Scheveningen Variation: Official Data


Variation Name: The Scheveningen variation of the Sicilian Defense
Moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6
ECO Codes: B80-B89

Scheveningen Variation of Sicilian Defense

The Sicilian Scheveningen has 3 main lines to play and 4 less common lines:
Main line 1: 6.g4 (most popular today)
Main line 2: 6.Be2
Main line 3: 6.Be3

Less common line 1: 6.g3
Less common line 2: 6.f4
Less common line 3: 6.Bc4
Less common line 4: 6.Bb5+

To understand in a visible way the Scheveningen variation of the Sicilian, to get a general picture and presentation of this variation and to study the most common play lines of the Scheveningen, you are recommended to see the below video. Here is a short description of the video:

Sicilian Scheveningen Variation: Video


The video runs for 5 minutes. It shows the designated moves of the Sicilian Defense and its Scheveningen variation at the beginning. Then you can see and read general information about the Scheveningen variation. At last, you can see how to play its 3 main lines and 4 less common. To see the video, click the Play button below:




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Note. One video may be not enough to learn the Sicilian Scheveningen. Because the variation is large, there will be published a special PGN file. The Scheveningen PGN files will be placed on the next separate page of this chess openings blog. Thank you!

Sicilian Defense Dragon Variation


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This chess post is designed for chess beginners to learn the Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defense chess opening. Please be advised that at the chess master level, the Dragon variation is the 2nd most common variation of the Sicilian Defense - after the Najdorf variation which is the most frequent one.

The Dragon variation is strong defense for Black, not difficult to learn and not so sharp as the Najdorf may be in play. On this page, find data and general description of the Dragon variation and chess video at the bottom of this page. A special PGN file on the Dragon will be published at a later stage.

The German chess master Louis Paulsen invented the modern form of the Dragon variation in 1880. From his part, the Russian chess master and astronomer Fyodor Dus-Chotimirsky named it Dragon because the resemblance of Black's kingside pawn structure to the constellation Draco.

Dragon Variation: Official Data


Variation Name: The Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defense
Moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
ECO Codes: B70-B79

Dragon variation of Sicilian Defense

The Sicilian Dragon has 2 main lines of play and 4 less common:
Main line 1: 6.Be3
Main line 2: 6.Be2

Less common line 1: 6.Bc4
Less common line 2: 6.f4 (f3 is seen rarely today)
Less common line 3: 6.g3
Less common line 4: 6.Bg5

Sicilian Dragon Variation: Video


To understand in a visible way the Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defense, to get a general picture and presentation of this variation, and to study the most common playing lines of the Dragon, you are recommended to see the following video:



• If the opening video hasn’t shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player’s handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

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Note. One video may be not enough to learn the Sicilian Dragon. Because the Dragon variation is large, there will be published a special PGN file. The Dragon PGN files will be placed on the next separate page of this chess openings blog. Thank you!