Sicilian Defense
The Sicilian Defense starts 1.e4 c5, where Black fights for d4 with a wing pawn instead of mirroring White in the center. White chooses between the Open Sicilian with Nf3 and d4 or calmer systems like 2.c3 and 2.Nc3, while Black plays for counterplay on the half-open c-file.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5
- ECO
- B20, B27, B50
- Engine
- +0.24 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 391,169 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.1%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play 2.Nf3 and 3.d4 for the Open Sicilian, trading the d-pawn for Black's c-pawn and getting quick development.
- Choose 2.c3, the Alapin, to build a full center with d4 and avoid the heavy Open Sicilian theory.
- Use 2.Nc3 for the Closed Sicilian, keeping pawns on d3 and preparing a kingside push with f4.
- After the Open lines, castle and push kingside pawns with f3, g4 or f4 to attack Black's king.
Black
- Take on d4 with ...cxd4 after White's d4, getting a central pawn majority and the half-open c-file.
- Develop with ...Nc6 and ...Nf6, as in the engine's main line, to hit e4 and d4.
- Use the c-file for rooks and the queen, often with ...Rc8, ...Qc7 or ...Qa5.
- Strike the center with ...d5 or ...e5 when White's pieces are not ready to hold the squares.
Plans and pawn structure
In the Open Sicilian the structure is unbalanced: White has the e-pawn and a lead in development, Black has two central pawns on d- and e-files plus the half-open c-file. White often castles and attacks on the kingside, while Black counterattacks on the queenside with ...b5 and pressure on c3. In the Alapin, White aims for a classical center with d4, and Black hits it with ...d5 or ...Nf6. In the Closed lines both sides maneuver longer before committing.
Where the engine's main line heads: Open Sicilian: White traded the d-pawn for Black's c-pawn. An Open Sicilian: White traded the d-pawn for Black's c-pawn. White has a lead in development and the d-file, Black has the half-open c-file and two central pawns.
What the Sicilian Defense is about
After 1.e4 c5 Black controls d4 with a wing pawn and keeps the e- and d-pawns at home. If White opens the center with d4, Black takes with ...cxd4. The result is an unbalanced structure: Black has two central pawns against one and the half-open c-file, while White has a lead in development, more space and attacking chances against the black king.
It is one of the most played answers to 1.e4, with 391169 games, with White scoring 50.1%. The engine rates the position as close to equal, and its top choices for White are 2.Nf3, 2.Nc3 and 2.c3.
The main variations
The Old Sicilian, 2.Nf3 Nc6, and the Modern Variations, 2.Nf3 d6, are Black's two main second moves. Both lead to the Open Sicilian after 3.d4. The engine's main line, 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5, shows Black hitting the d4 knight and getting active play. After 2...d6, the Open lines lead to systems such as the Najdorf, 5...a6.
The Alapin Variation, 2.c3, prepares d4 so White can recapture with a pawn. The engine line 2...Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nf3 e6 shows Black attacking the center with pieces. It is close to equal and needs much less theory than the Open lines.
The Closed Sicilian, 2.Nc3, keeps the center closed. White often follows with g3, Bg2 and f4 for a slow kingside attack.
The Bowdler Attack, 2.Bc4, is very popular online, but White scored only 47.5% and the engine prefers Black slightly: ...e6 and ...d5 blunt the bishop. The Smith-Morra Gambit, 2.d4, gives a pawn for development; once accepted, the engine likes Black.
Also see the Siberian Trap in the Smith-Morra and the Magnus Smith Trap in the Open lines.
Typical plans for White
In the Open Sicilian, White develops quickly with Nc3, Be2 or Be3, castles and often attacks on the kingside with f3, g4 and h4 or with f4 and e5. The knight on d4 is the hub of White's setup. Against Black's ...d6 structures, the d5 square is a key outpost for a knight.
- In the Alapin, build the center with c3 and d4, and recapture on d4 with the c-pawn.
- In the Closed lines, play g3, Bg2, d3 and f4, then push the f-pawn further.
- In the Rossolimo with 3.Bb5, take on c6 to double Black's pawns and play slowly.
Typical plans for Black
Black uses the c-file and the queenside. Rooks go to c8, the queen to c7, and a pawn push with ...a6 and ...b5 gains space and hits the c3 knight. The central majority lets Black play ...d5 or ...e5 at the right moment.
- Hit the d4 knight with ...e5 when White's pieces are not ready, as in the engine's line.
- Trade on d4 or c3 to weaken White's queenside pawns.
- Against the Alapin, use ...Nf6 and ...d5 to strike at e4 and d4 before White is settled.
Mistakes club players make
- White playing 2.Bc4 and 2.f4 on autopilot. Both let Black equalize easily; the engine slightly prefers Black after 2.Bc4 and 2.f4.
- Black taking on e5 in the Magnus Smith line. After e5 and ...dxe5, the sacrifice Bxf7+ uncovers the queen and wins Black's queen on d8.
- White castling into the Siberian Trap. In the Smith-Morra, ...Ng4 and ...Nd4 set up mate on h2 if White misses the threat.
- Black delaying development. Too many pawn moves in the Open lines leave the king in the center.
- Grabbing pawns on the queenside while the king is under attack. In opposite-side attacks, speed counts more than material.
Who should play it
The Sicilian suits Black players who want to play for a win against 1.e4. The positions are unbalanced and rich, but the main lines demand serious study. Players who prefer less theory can pick a system such as the Old Sicilian with ...Nc6 and ...e5, which is close to the engine's top line.
For White, the Alapin and the Closed lines are good low-theory choices, while the Open Sicilian suits players who want the sharpest fight.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.24: level. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.24 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6
- +0.21 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 e5 4.Bc4 Be7
- +0.11 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
391,169 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.1%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Traps and pitfalls
Siberian Trap (Black sets it)
In the Smith-Morra Gambit, Black lines up the queen on c7 and a knight on g4 against h2. When White plays 9.h3, the reply 9...Nd4 attacks the queen and lures away the f3 knight, the only guard of h2.
Magnus Smith Trap (White sets it)
White pushes 8.e5, attacking the f6 knight and offering a pawn. When Black takes with 8...dxe5, the queens face each other, and 9.Bxf7+ drags the king away so 10.Qxd8 wins the queen.
Variations of the Sicilian Defense
- Bowdler Attack2.Bc4 · 40,318 games
- Old Sicilian2.Nf3 · 37,384 games
- Closed2.Nc3 · 30,565 games
- Alapin Variation2.c3 · 24,497 games
- McDonnell Attack2.f4 · 18,379 games
- Smith-Morra Gambit2.d4 · 14,302 games
- Staunton-Cochrane Variation2.c4 · 5,140 games
- Wing Gambit2.b4 · 4,336 games
- Amazon Attack2.Qg4 · rare
- Euwe Attack, Prins Gambit2.b3 · rare
- Grob Variation2.g4 · rare
- King David's Opening2.Ke2 · rare
- Myers Attack, with a42.a4 · rare
- Myers Attack, with h42.h4 · rare
How to play against it
As White, choose one approach that suits you: the Alapin with 2.c3 needs less theory, the Open Sicilian with 2.Nf3 and 3.d4 gives the sharpest play. Avoid 2.Bc4 and 2.f4, which the engine rates as slightly better for Black. In the Smith-Morra, know the Siberian Trap before you play it.
Full guide: how to beat the Sicilian Defense
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3; 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4; 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense?
The Sicilian Defense starts 1.e4 c5. Its ECO code is B20, B27, B50.
Is the Sicilian Defense good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.24 at depth 20, which is level. In 391,169 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.1%. The best choice for Black players who want winning chances against 1.e4 and are ready to study concrete lines.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense?
Black fights for the d4 square with the c-pawn, planning to trade it for White's d-pawn. That leaves Black with two central pawns and the half-open c-file, while White gets space and attacking chances on the kingside.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nf3, with Nc3 and c3 close behind. 2.Nf3 develops a piece and prepares d4, the most natural route to the Open Sicilian.
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.