B23
Sicilian Defense: Closed
Key moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3
The Closed Sicilian avoids the main theoretical lines by developing the knight to c3 instead of the Open Sicilian's Nf3 and d4. White typically plays g3, Bg2 and castles kingside before deciding on a plan. It leads to slower, more positional play.
History & Notable Players
Popular with players who want to avoid the vast theory of the Open Sicilian. Boris Spassky was a notable practitioner.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
B20 - Sicilian Defense511B21 - Sicilian Defense: Halasz Gambit219B22 - Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation1080B24 - Sicilian Defense: Closed89B25 - Sicilian Defense: Closed228B26 - Sicilian Defense: Closed161B27 - Sicilian Defense302B28 - Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation201B29 - Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation220
Best Games
Kamsky,G vs Keymer,Vincent1/2-1/2
55th Biel GM 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Dominguez Perez,L0-1
FIDE Grand Prix 1 Pool D • 2022★ Notable
Kamsky,G vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
54th Biel GM Blitz 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Vachier Lagrave,M1-0
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2021★ Notable
Gabrielian,A vs Gelfand,B1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 21 • 2021★ Notable
Gabrielian,A vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 18 • 2020★ Notable
Gabrielian,A vs Le Quang Liem0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 14 • 2020★ Notable
Narayanan,SL vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 13 • 2020★ Notable
Sadhwani,Raunak vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 11 • 2020★ Notable
Grabinsky,Aaron vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 8 • 2020★ Notable
Sadhwani,Raunak vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 8 • 2020★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
9th London Classic TB • 2017★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Kasparov,G0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
5th Sinquefield Cup 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Karjakin,Sergey0-1
FIDE Candidates 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Hou Yifan vs Socko,M0-1
FIDE WCh Women World Cup • 2012★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Topalov,V1-0
74th Tata Steel GMA • 2012★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Anand,V0-1
20th Amber Blindfold • 2011★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Topalov,V1-0
20th Amber Rapid • 2011★ Notable