Chess opening · ECO B56
Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation
In the Classical Sicilian, Black puts both knights on their natural squares, c6 and f6, and keeps the e-pawn and the f8 bishop flexible. The c6 knight leans on d4 and keeps an eye on e5. Black has not yet chosen between ...e6, ...g6 or ...e5, so White's sixth move, usually a bishop move, sets the tone of the game.
- Rank by weighted share
- #136 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6
- 5... Nc6The second knight joins the game and attacks the d4 knight, which only the white queen defends. It also covers e5, and White has to watch for ...Nxd4 tricks whenever the queen leaves the d-file.
Bg5 and the doubled f-pawns
6.Bg5 targets the f6 knight. If White ever takes on f6 and Black recaptures with the g-pawn, Black gets doubled f-pawns but keeps the bishop pair and an open g-file. White usually adds Qd2 and castles queenside, so a rook lands on d1, lined up against d6 once the d4 knight moves.
Black often replies with ...e6, ...a6 and ...Bd7, getting the king's bishop ready to castle and preparing ...b5.
Bc4 meets ...Qb6
6.Bc4 points at f7 and e6. A sharp answer is 6...Qb6, which hits the d4 knight on the diagonal and the b2 pawn down the b-file. White's knight usually steps back to b3, and Black can then close the bishop's diagonal with ...e6.
Calmer bishops on e2 and e3
6.Be2 leads to slower positions where White castles short and may push f4. 6.Be3 often brings f3, Qd2 and queenside castling. 6.Nxc6 bxc6 is a simpler option; it gives Black a central pawn mass on c6 and d6 and an open b-file.
Bg5 with queenside castling
6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7
White's king is on c1, and the d1 rook stands behind the queen and the d4 knight on the d-file, facing d6. Black has covered b5 with ...a6 and brought the c8 bishop to d7, where it guards the c6 knight. White can follow with f4, while Black prepares ...b5.
Top replies by rating
This table moves around a lot. Be3 tops the 1600 to 1999 bands, while at 2000 and up Bg5 leads, with Be2 and Bc4 close behind.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | Nxc6 36% | Be3 30% | Bb5 23% |
| 1400–1599 | Bb5 21% | Be3 18% | Bg5 16% |
| 1600–1799 | Be3 25% | Be2 16% | Bb5 16% |
| 1800–1999 | Be3 24% | Be2 22% | Bc4 15% |
| 2000 and up | Bg5 24% | Be2 22% | Bc4 22% |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.