Master The Sicilian Defense

The Sicilian Defense is far more popular among grandmasters than amateur players. Why? It’s one of the most theoretically complex openings in chess! While some argue that the Sicilian is the most powerful weapon against 1.e4, it requires careful study to play competently for either side.

But club players needn’t be deterred! There are certain lines of the Sicilian Defense that are easily accessible, whether you're playing with Black or White. In this guide, we employ in-depth statistical analysis to identify the optimal variations for your level and style of play.

The Open Sicilian Defense for Black

The Open Sicilian is by far the most common continuation of the Sicilian Defense, and this is the line that players with the Black pieces will be expecting. But which variation will you play to meet it?

The Open Sicilian is characterized by White playing 2.Nf3 and 3.d4. Whether Black replies with 2...Nc6, 2...d6, or 2...e6, the opening is still considered part of the Open Sicilian family.

The Open Sicilian is so-called because White effectively breaks open the center with 3.d4. After 3...cxd4 4. Nxd4, White can enjoy a semi-open d-file, whereas Black has a semi-open c-file: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4:

Of the 101 ways to continue, the Najdorf Variation, Classical Sicilian, Sicilian Dragon, Taimanov Variation, and Sveshnikov Sicilian are just a few! Using statistics from millions of online games played on lichess.org, let's look at the best.

For Advanced Players Only: The Najdorf Variation

By far the most popular continuation of the Open Sicilian at grandmaster level is the famous Najdorf Variation: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6

At Grandmaster level, 6.Be3, 6.Bg5, and 6.Be2 are popular ways to continue, yet there are endless other strong moves as well. Fighting for central squares, especially d4, is a common theme in the Najdorf. With a shrewd, counterattacking mindset, Black often allows White to gain space, then strikes back with precise timing.

But lesser players beware! The Najdorf is one of the most complex openings in chess! Because 5...a6 is a rather passive move, White has a vast array of ways to continue. If you intend on playing the Najdorf, you’re going to have to do a lot of homework!

For this reason, we don’t recommend the Najdorf for players with an Elo rating under 2000. There are just too many other simpler variations that score just as well—and sometimes a lot better!

Best for Attacking Players: The Dragon Variation

The Dragon Variation is more suitable for strong amateur players: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6

Black prepares to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop, from where it will apply powerful pressure on the center. It often also proves deadly as a long-range weapon in the queenside attack that follows.

As the name suggests, the Dragon Variation is a fierce and fiery Sicilian line, famed for being sharp and aggressive. It often leads to White castling long—on the opposite side to Black. From here, both sides race to launch fast-flying attacks at each other's camps. One false move can prove fatal for either side!

The Dragon Variation is easier to learn than many other lines in the Sicilian because it relies more on your grasp of broad strategies rather than memorizing specific lines. Correspondingly, it also scores better for Black than the Najdorf at club level.

Unsurprisingly for a tricky, trappy opening, the Dragon Variation also scores well in blitz and bullet games. To increase your chances of playing a Dragon-themed Sicilian, you could opt for the Hyper-accelerated Dragon, which starts on move two: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6.

Best All-rounder: The Kan Variation

Although it is played much less frequently than either 2...Nc6 or 2...d6, the ‘French Sicilian’ (2...e6) tends to score better at the amateur level. The Kan Variation is one of the most famous variations to follow the French Sicilian and looks like this: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6

Notice how the move 4...a6 resembles 5...a6 in the Najdorf Variation. There are far fewer lines to remember than the Najdorf, however, and the most common score extremely well for Black!

Whereas grandmasters typically play 5.Be3 against the Kan Variation, amateur players overwhelmingly play 5.Nc3. In reply, 5...Qc7 and 6...Bb5 launch a menacing attack on White’s queenside and center!

The Kan is solid yet spirited, relatively easy to learn, and scores very highly at amateur level.

Best for Blitz and Bullet Games—The Kveinis Variation

An extremely effective, yet little-known Sicilian Defense variation for Black is the Kveinis Variation. It follows: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qb6

Rarely played, the opening borrows some tips from the French Defense to wield the queen on b6 early in the game. In reply, 50% of opponents respond 5.Nf3, from where you can terrify White with 5...Bc5. This immediately x-rays a mating attack on f2, and White must tread carefully to avoid getting ensnared. Remarkably, this move achieves a 62% win rate in blitz and bullet games for Black.

While especially effective at faster time controls, the Kvenis Variation scores brilliantly at longer time controls, too! It’s a sound setup for Black that few opponents will know. Interestingly, the Kveinis Variation even scores favorably at grandmaster level! Magnus Carlsen gave it his seal of approval by playing it in 2021 against his nemesis, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Other Popular Open Sicilian Variations

There are many more possible continuations of the Open Sicilian Defense:

• The Classical Variation (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6) Cedes White central and kingside control in the hope of counterattacking on the queenside. Difficult to defend against 6. Bg5—the Richter-Rauzer Attack.
• The Taimanov Variation (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6) is A solid, flexible setup for Black. Easy to learn and offers an equal position to White.
• Sveshnikov Variation (1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5) can lead to sharp, aggressive play, but is often rendered fruitless by the counterattack, 6. Ndb5.
• The Scheveningen Variation (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6) Black commits early on to a pawn structure known as the ‘Scheveningen Formation.’ Limits the scope of both bishops and scores very poorly against 6.g4—the Keres Attack.

The Anti-Sicilian Variations for White

The Open Sicilian is so popular that it has become synonymous with the Sicilian Defense itself. Any moves other than 2.Nf3 and 3.d4 could be considered a rebellion. This group of openings is often referred to as the Anti-Sicilian variations.

Playing with White at club level, the Anti-Sicilian variations tend to score much better than the Open Sicilian. Why? The Open Sicilian opens the door to a vast array of variations that your opponent will likely know better than you! By choosing an Anti-Sicilian variation, you can drive the game toward a setup that you know and love.

There are several Anti-Sicilians to choose from. They include the Closed Sicilian, the Smith-Morra Gambit, and the Alappin Variation, as well as some well-kept secrets!

Best for Attacking Players: The Smith-Morra Gambit

One of White’s most aggressive ways to counter the Sicilian Defense is the Smith-Morra Gambit. 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3

By sacrificing a pawn, White wins quick development that can lead to galloping attacks on Black’s king. The Smith-Morra is sharp and tricky! Black needs to know the right moves to avoid squandering its apparent advantage.

For example, ...Nf6 is a natural-looking, yet very unfortunate move for Black throughout the opening. In reply, White can push its e-pawn and begin winning tempos while pushing the knight around. White also effectively pins Black’s d-pawn since a queen exchange would be unfavorable —or even disastrous depending on the position.

Indeed, a skilled Smith-Morra player can often win a swift advantage against an under-prepared opponent. While the opening isn’t highly regarded at grandmaster level, it scores extremely well against club-level chess players—especially in blitz and bullet games!

Best for Positional Players: The Alapin Variation

A steadier Anti-Sicilian that scores a convincing majority for White is the Alapin Variation: 1. e4 c5 2. c3:

By playing 2.c3, White prepares to play d2-d4 to establish a classical pawn center. Black’s strongest move here is probably 2...Nf6, attacking White’s e4 pawn. In reply, White can push the pawn before playing 4.d4.

In the amateur game, however, many players simply don’t know how to play against the Alapin Variation! The inferior 2...Nc6 is Black’s most common answer, which does nothing to prevent White from winning its perfect center and threatening d4-d5 before chasing Black’s knight around the board.

In short, the Alapin Variation is excellent for narrowing down your opponent’s options and leads to positions that you’ll learn to win.

Best for Blitz and Bullet Chess: The Portsmouth Gambit

Since we’re discussing high-scoring Anti-Sicilian variations for White, it would be remiss of us not to discuss the Portsmouth Gambit. Despite being known by almost nobody, it’s one of the highest scoring of all! Especially if you know the right moves.

The Portsmouth Gambit is similar to the Wing Gambit and begins with the very odd looking: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. b4

Now, Black can elect whether to capture with its pawn or knight. If 3...cxb4, you can play 4.d4 right away. If 3...Nxb4, you simply chase the knight with 4.c3, then 5.d4. Your plan is to play d4-d5, chasing Black’s knight. If the e-file is open, you can often create winning maneuvers by pushing your pawn to d6 and checking White’s king on the e-file. Ouch!

While this variation may look dubious, it boasts a far higher win rate than any other in blitz and bullet games. It stands strong even at longer time controls. Records show the Portsmouth Gambit has even worked wonders at grandmaster level! It has been played several times by (you guessed it!) GM Magnus Carlsen.

Further Anti-Sicilian Possibilities

The Closed Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.Nc3) Instead of the typical 2.Nf3, White elects for a quieter game by developing its queen’s knight. Black has several ways to respond, making the study more complex than other Anti-Sicilians.

The Grand Prix Attack (1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 and 3. f4) is an attacking sideshoot of the Closed Sicilian. White continues with 3.f4. This resembles the Vienna Gambit, except Black has no pawn on e4. Scores well against Black’s two favorite responses: 2...Nc6 and especially vs. 2...d6.

The Rossolimo Attack (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb4). Instead of 3. d4, White plays 3. Bb4, threatening Black’s knight. Resembling the Ruy Lopez, except in the Rossolimo, White usually captures the knight immediately. Scores reasonably well, primarily due to opponents being ill-prepared!

The Sicilian Defense at Club Level—Our Conclusion

The Sicilian Defense employed by amateur players differs significantly from that used by grandmasters. While most professional players have studied hundreds of lines, amateur players typically know only a few. This is one of the reasons that unusual variations score extremely well at the club level!

By carefully choosing Sicilian Defense variations that suit your level and style of play, you’ll significantly improve your chances of a great success of the opening—both with the Black and White pieces.