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  3. /Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Modern Variation (B42)
B42

Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Modern Variation

Key moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6

The Kan (or Paulsen) Variation is a flexible Sicilian system where Black plays ...a6, keeping options open for piece placement. It's considered one of the most flexible Sicilian variations.

History & Notable Players

Named after Ilya Kan, the variation has been played by many top players including Anatoly Karpov and Hikaru Nakamura.

Top Players in this Opening

Kamsky,G124 gamesSvidler,P58 gamesCaruana,F54 gamesCarlsen,M29 gamesShirov,A29 gamesKarjakin,Sergey29 gamesPortisch, Lajos25 gamesGeller, Efim P25 gamesNakamura,Hi22 gamesIvanchuk,V21 games

Related Openings

B40 - Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation1776B41 - Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation479B43 - Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Wing Attack547B44 - Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation291B45 - Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation299B46 - Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation391B47 - Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation515B48 - Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, English Attack630B49 - Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation128

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