Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation
The Classical Variation of the Scheveningen is 6.Be2, a quiet bishop move that prepares castling and keeps the position flexible. Black can develop with ...Be7 and ...Nc6 or play ...a6, while White aims for Be3, Qd2 or short castling and a steady build-up in the center.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Be2
- ECO
- B83, B84
- Engine
- +0.27 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 515 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 48.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play Be3 and Qd2, as in the top lines, and answer ...e5 with Nb3 or Nf3 to watch d5.
- Against ...a6, g4 and h4 give a direct kingside attack with the bishop ready for Bf3.
- Use Nd5 when Black's ...e5 leaves the d5 square weak, especially after a knight lands on g4.
Black
- Develop with ...Be7 and ...Nc6, then push ...e5 to gain time on the d4 knight.
- After ...e5 and Nb3, play ...a5 to threaten ...a4 and push the knight further away.
- Use ...Ng4 against an early Qd2 to hit the e3 bishop and gain the bishop pair.
Plans and pawn structure
This is a calm Scheveningen. Black often turns it into an ...e5 structure, with a hole on d5 and a backward d6 pawn, in exchange for central space and active pieces. White's plan is to control d5 with Nb3, Be3 and Nd5, while Black plays ...a5 and ...a4 to harass the b3 knight. If Black stays with ...e6, White can switch to g4 and h4 with the bishop already on e2.
Where the engine's main line heads: Open Sicilian with ...e5: a hole on d5, a backward d6 pawn. An Open Sicilian with ...e5: Black has the center but leaves a hole on d5 and a backward pawn on d6.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.27: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.27 6...Be7 7.Be3 Nc6 8.Qd2 e5 9.Nb3
- +0.31 6...Nc6 7.Be3 Be7 8.Qd2 e5 9.Nf3
- +0.48 6...a6 7.Be3 Be7 8.g4 h6 9.h4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
515 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 48.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation6...Be7 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, use the slow bishop move to finish development with ...Be7, ...Nc6 and castling. Play ...e5 when it gains time on the d4 knight, then cover d5 with pieces and use ...a5 against a knight on b3. Avoid ...a6 with slow play, which invites g4.
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 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6; 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.O-O Qc7.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation?
The Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Be2. Its ECO code is B83, B84.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.27 at depth 20, which is level. In 515 lichess games from our sample, White scored 48.7%. A good fit for positional players on both sides who prefer maneuvering around d5 to a direct pawn storm.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation?
White develops quietly with Be2 and castles before choosing a plan. Black often switches to ...e5 to gain time on the d4 knight, and the game turns on control of the d5 square.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Be7, with Nc6 and a6 close behind. 6...Be7 develops and prepares to castle, keeping ...Nc6 and ...e5 for the next moves.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.