Tree path 5 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › French Variation › Open
B40

Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open

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Overview

Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Open is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B40.

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.

Play reaches this position via 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4, after 6 plies of opening development.

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

6 distinct sub-variations branch from this opening; prominent examples include Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Normal, Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Sicilian Defense: Kveinis Variation, and others.

Below the direct variations, the full subtree contains 50 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
B40
Group
Semi-Open Games (B)
Plies
6
Parent
Sicilian Defense: French Variation
Direct variations
6
Total in subtree
50

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 (6)

Show all 50 sub-variations (full subtree)