Chess opening · ECO B56

Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation

The Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation starts 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6. It ranks #136 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6. White to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... c5Black pushes the c-pawn two squares to c5.
  3. 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
  4. 2... d6Black advances the d-pawn to d6.
  5. 3. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
  6. 3... cxd4Black takes the pawn on d4 with the c-pawn.
  7. 4. Nxd4White recaptures on d4 with the knight.
  8. 4... Nf6Black develops the kingside knight to f6.
  9. 5. Nc3White develops the queenside knight to c3.
  10. 5... Nc6Black develops the queenside knight to c6. It now attacks the knight on d4.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common White moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated 1200–1399, the most popular next move is Nxc6; among players rated 2000 and up, it is Bg5.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
1200–1399Nxc6 36%Be3 30%Bb5 23%
1400–1599Bb5 21%Be3 18%Bg5 16%
1600–1799Be3 25%Be2 16%Bb5 16%
1800–1999Be3 24%Be2 22%Bc4 15%
2000 and upBg5 24%Be2 22%Bc4 22%

Related openings

Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Main LineThe line this one grows fromSicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer VariationA variation of this line

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