Sicilian DefenseB32

Open

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4

Open on the interactive board

Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

Black traded a wing pawn for a central one. White has the lead in development and central space: play fast, usually d4 followed by a kingside assault.

Black's plan

Black has two central pawns against one, and the open c-file after the exchange on d4. Everything flows from there: pressure on c3 and c2, queenside expansion with ...a6 and ...b5.

The line, move by move

  1. 1. e4e4 occupies the center.
  2. ... c5c5 controls d4.
  3. 2. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
  4. ... Nc6Nc6 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
  5. 3. d4d4 strikes at the center.
  6. ... cxd4cxd4 captures a pawn, occupies the center.
  7. 4. Nxd4Nxd4 captures a pawn.
Open on the interactive board

Other major variations

Open (B32) · Sicilian Defense · OpeningMate