Chess opening · ECO B30
Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian
With 2...Nc6, Black brings out a piece and adds a second guard on d4 before deciding where the d-pawn, e-pawn and g-pawn go. That delay is the point. White now has to choose a direction: open the center with 3.d4, press on the c6 knight with 3.Bb5, or pick a quieter system with 3.c3, 3.Nc3 or 3.Bc4.
- Rank by weighted share
- #20 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6
- 2... Nc6The knight joins the c5 pawn in watching d4 and also covers e5. Black keeps the structure open: ...g6, ...e6, ...d6 and even ...e5 all remain available, so White cannot yet aim a setup at one specific pawn formation.
The quieter third moves
3.c3 prepares d4, so White can recapture on d4 with the c-pawn and keep two center pawns. Black often replies 3...Nf6, hitting e4; after 4.e5 Nd5 the knight is centralized, and White has gained space with the e5 pawn.
3.Bc4 points the bishop at f7. A common answer is ...e6, which shuts that diagonal, with ...d5 later to hit the bishop and contest e4.
3.Nc3 keeps White's options wide. It can lead to a Closed setup with g3 and Bg2, or to an Open Sicilian if d4 follows a move later.
Two sharper paths: 3.d4 and 3.Bb5
3.d4 opens the center at once and leads to the Open Sicilian, where Black chooses among several systems on move four. 3.Bb5 goes the other way: White develops with an eye on the c6 knight, castles quickly, and keeps the option of trading on c6 to double Black's pawns.
Top replies by rating
d4 leads every band. Bc4 holds second place in each band below 1800, while from 1800 up Bb5 takes second, reaching its largest share at 2000 and up.
Questions
Is 2...Nc6 a separate opening from 2...d6 and 2...e6?
It is a different move order, and it often transposes. The knight lands on c6 in many Sicilian lines anyway. Playing it on move two keeps more pawn setups available, but it also invites 3.Bb5, which targets the knight.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.