Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation

The Scheveningen Variation is 5...d6, where Black builds the small center with pawns on d6 and e6. Black wants a solid shell and later ...a6, ...Qc7 and ...b5, while White chooses between sharp lines like g4 and calmer setups with Be2, Be3 or Bc4.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6
ECO
B80
Engine
+0.81 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,134 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 6.g4 is the sharpest try: push g5 to kick the f6 knight, and answer ...h6 with Rg1 and Qe2.
  • Be3, Qd2, f3 and long castling set up a slower attack with g4 and h4 later.
  • Bc4 leads to the Sozin Attack, aiming the bishop at e6 and preparing an f-pawn push.

Black

  • Keep the small center flexible: ...e5 or ...d5 can come later when White's pieces are committed.
  • Against g4, ...h6 slows the pawn; then ...a6, ...b5 and ...Bb7 strike at e4.
  • Against f3 setups, ...h5 stops g4 cold and lets Black play in the center.

Plans and pawn structure

The d6 and e6 pawns guard d5 and e5, so White cannot easily break through. White's main plans are kingside pawn storms with g4, g5, f4 or h4, often with long castling. Black answers with queenside play: ...a6, ...Qc7, ...b5 and ...Bb7 to hit e4. The ...e5 and ...d5 breaks are Black's freeing moves once White's pawns have advanced. Timing matters most: the first side to open the enemy king usually wins.

Where the engine's main line heads: Scheveningen small center: Black pawns d6 and e6. The Scheveningen small center: Black pawns on d6 and e6 cover the central squares and wait for the right moment to break with ...d5 or ...e5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.81: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.81 6.g4 h6 7.Rg1 a6 8.Qe2 b5
  2. +0.49 6.f3 h5 7.Be3 a6 8.Qd2 Qc7
  3. +0.45 6.Be3 a6 7.Qd2 Be7 8.f3 h5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,134 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.8%.

1200–159951.7%
1600–199952.3%
2000 and up50.7%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Sozin Attack6.Bc4 · 932 games
  • Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation6.Be2 · 515 games
  • Scheveningen Variation, Fianchetto Variation6.g3 · rare
  • Scheveningen Variation, Vitolins Variation6.Bb5+ · rare
  • Scheveningen Variation, Keres Attack6.g4 · rare
  • Scheveningen Variation, Tal Variation6.f4 · rare
  • Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation6.Be2 · rare

How to play against it

As White, choose a clear plan: 6.g4 for an attack, or Be3 with f3 and Qd2 for a steady build-up. Do not mix slow moves with long castling, because Black's ...b5 comes fast. Keep e4 well protected against ...Bb7 and ...Nc6 pressure.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6. Its ECO code is B80.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.81 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 2,134 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.8%. Ideal for Black players who like solid but flexible structures, and for White players who enjoy pawn storms.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation?

Black sets up pawns on d6 and e6, a compact center that is hard to break. White usually attacks on the kingside with g4 or f3 and Be3, and Black counters on the queenside with ...a6 and ...b5.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is g4, with f3 and Be3 close behind. 6.g4 threatens g5 to evict the f6 knight before Black has finished development.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.