Chess opening · ECO B40
Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open
This position arises after 2...e6 3.d4 cxd4. Black is a pawn up for one move only, since White takes back on d4 next. Unlike the 2...Nc6 lines, no black knight guards d4 yet, so White has a real choice of recapture, and Black has not yet chosen between the Kan, Taimanov and Scheveningen setups.
- Rank by weighted share
- #72 of 159
- Material
- Black +1
Key moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4
- 3. d4White opens the center while Black's knights are still at home. The d4 pawn is guarded by the f3 knight and the queen, and Black usually exchanges on d4, trading a wing pawn for a center pawn and half-opening the c-file.
- 3... cxd4The capture leaves Black a pawn ahead for a moment. White will take back, and the trade gives Black two center pawns, d7 and e6, against White's single e-pawn.
Knight or queen on d4
4.Nxd4 is the main recapture. The knight lands in the center, and Black then chooses: ...a6 keeps the pieces flexible in the Kan, ...Nc6 hits the knight in the Taimanov, and ...Nf6 with ...d6 builds the small center of the Scheveningen.
Because no black knight stands on c6, 4.Qxd4 does not lose the queen here. The drawback is time: 4...Nc6 attacks the queen and makes it move again.
Leaving the pawn with 4.c3
White can also play 4.c3 and offer a pawn. If Black takes with ...dxc3, the b1 knight recaptures on c3, and White has quick development and open lines for the material. Black does not have to take the second pawn.
A small center with ...d6 and ...e6
4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O
The d6 pawn covers e5 and the e6 pawn covers d5, so a white piece landing on either square can be hit by a pawn. White has more space, while Black keeps ...d5 and ...e5 in reserve as breaks for later.
Top replies by rating
Nxd4 leads from 1200 to 1999. Qxd4 holds second at 1200 to 1599, while at 1800 to 1999 c3 moves into second.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Nxd4 93% | Qxd4 7% | – |
| 1200–1399 | Nxd4 84% | Qxd4 14% | c3 3% |
| 1400–1599 | Nxd4 88% | Qxd4 9% | c3 2% |
| 1600–1799 | Nxd4 93% | Qxd4 3% | c3 3% |
| 1800–1999 | Nxd4 93% | c3 6% | Qxd4 1% |
| 2000 and up | Nxd4 96% | c3 4% | – |
Questions
Is Black really a pawn up here?
Only until White's next move. The material count in this position reflects the capture on d4, and after 4.Nxd4 or 4.Qxd4 it is level again.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.