Tree path 6 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › Modern Variations › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense
B50

Sicilian Defense

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Overview

Sicilian Defense is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B50.

The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.

It is reached after 6 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4.

In the opening tree, this line branches off from Sicilian Defense, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.

4 named variations grow from this line, including Chekhover Variation, Dragon Variation, Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variations, Main Line, and others.

Below the direct variations, the full subtree contains 99 documented sub-variations.

Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.

ECO code
B50
Group
Semi-Open Games (B)
Plies
6
Parent
Sicilian Defense
Direct variations
4
Total in subtree
99

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. A more detailed, human-written description is on the way — and you can speed it up by suggesting one yourself.

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Variations (4)

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