Chess opening · ECO B23
Sicilian Defense: Closed
In the Closed Sicilian, White meets 1...c5 with 2.Nc3 and holds back the d-pawn. Instead of opening the center with d4, White usually builds with g3, Bg2, d3 and f4, then looks for f5 near the black king. Black answers by gaining room on the queenside, where the knight on c3 becomes a target for ...b5 and ...b4.
- Rank by weighted share
- #54 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3
- 2. Nc3The knight covers d5 and e4 and leaves both the d-pawn and the f-pawn at home. White keeps two routes open: a slow setup with g3 and d3, or a later Nf3 and d4 that turns the game into an Open Sicilian after all.
Building the kingside wedge
The typical White setup is g3, Bg2, d3, f4 and Nf3 or Nge2, followed by castling short. The bishop on g2 sits behind the e4 pawn, and the f-pawn heads for f5 to pry open lines near the black king. Some players add Be3 and Qd2 to support the attack.
With White's d-pawn on d3 and Black's usually on d6, the center pawns rarely trade early. The play moves to the wings instead: White pushes toward f5, Black toward b4.
Black's queenside counterplay
Black often mirrors the fianchetto with ...g6 and ...Bg7, so the bishop presses toward b2 from g7. A rook on b8 then supports ...b5 and ...b4, which drives the c3 knight away from its watch over d5 and e4.
A common partner for the fianchetto is ...e6 with the king's knight on e7. From there the knight does not block the g7 bishop, and the e6 pawn covers d5 and f5, the squares White's c3 knight and f-pawn are heading for.
Mirror fianchettoes
2... Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. f4 e6 7. Nf3 Nge7 8. O-O O-O
Both bishops now sit on their long diagonals and both kings are castled. White's next ideas include Be3, Qd2 and the f5 push, while Black often plays ...Rb8 and ...b5 to start rolling the queenside pawns.
Top replies by rating
Under 1200, d6 leads. From 1200 up, Nc6 tops every band, and its share is largest at 2000 and up.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | d6 34% | Nc6 31% | e6 20% |
| 1200–1399 | Nc6 34% | d6 25% | e6 17% |
| 1400–1599 | Nc6 39% | d6 23% | e6 21% |
| 1600–1799 | Nc6 43% | d6 22% | e6 20% |
| 1800–1999 | Nc6 43% | e6 23% | d6 22% |
| 2000 and up | Nc6 48% | e6 23% | d6 17% |
Questions
Can the Closed Sicilian turn into an Open Sicilian?
Yes. After 2.Nc3 Nc6, White can still play Nf3 and d4 and reach the same open positions that 2.Nf3 lines produce. Players who pick 2.Nc3 for the closed setup simply leave that option unused.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.