Chess opening · ECO B50
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations
With 2...d6, Black makes a small pawn move that does several jobs. The pawn covers e5 and c5, opens the diagonal for the c8 bishop, and lets the king's knight come to f6 without being chased by e4-e5 for free. This is the move order that leads into the Najdorf, the Dragon and the Classical, but White still has a choice of how to continue.
- Rank by weighted share
- #21 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6
- 2... d6The pawn on d6 controls e5, so a later e4-e5 push can simply be taken. It also frees the c8 bishop toward g4 and f5, and keeps ...e5 or ...e6 open as a later decision.
3.d4 opens the board
The main reply is 3.d4, offering the d-pawn for the c-pawn. After ...cxd4 and Nxd4, White has a knight in the center and a lead in space, and Black has the half-open c-file.
From there Black usually plays ...Nf6 and White defends e4 with Nc3, reaching the main line of this family.
Checks and quiet setups that skip the Open Sicilian
3.Bb5+ gives a check that Black can block with ...Bd7, ...Nd7 or ...Nc6. After ...Bd7 the light-squared bishops often come off, and White may follow with c4 to build a grip on d5.
3.c3 prepares d4 so that White can recapture with a pawn and keep two pawns in the center. 3.Bc4 points at f7, but a pawn on e6 cuts that diagonal, so Black often blunts it early.
The bishop check and the c4 grip
3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4
White trades the light-squared bishops and puts pawns on c4 and e4. Black has fewer pieces to worry about and often develops with ...Nc6, ...g6 and ...Bg7, aiming the bishop at the long diagonal.
Top replies by rating
Under 1200, Bc4 leads. From 1200 up d4 takes over, and its share keeps growing with rating, while the bishop check on b5 joins the top three at 2000 and up.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Bc4 38% | d4 28% | Nc3 12% |
| 1200–1399 | d4 42% | Bc4 24% | Nc3 11% |
| 1400–1599 | d4 45% | Bc4 22% | Nc3 10% |
| 1600–1799 | d4 52% | Bc4 16% | c3 8% |
| 1800–1999 | d4 61% | Bc4 11% | c3 8% |
| 2000 and up | d4 70% | Bb5+ 10% | c3 7% |
Questions
Why not play 3.Bc4 against 2...d6?
It develops a piece toward f7, but Black can block the diagonal with ...e6 and then hit e4 with ...Nf6. White has not opened the center yet, so the bishop on c4 may end up biting on a pawn.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.