B50

Sicilian Defense

Key moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6

This move order in the Sicilian with 2...d6 can lead to many major variations including the Najdorf, Dragon, and Classical. It's the backbone of competitive chess openings.

History & Notable Players

The 2...d6 Sicilian systems have dominated top-level chess since the mid-20th century.

Best Games

Aronian,L vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
9th Sinquefield Cup 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
Saint Louis Rapid 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Savchenko,B1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 16 • 2020★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
5th Norway Chess 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Anand,V vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
6th Zurich Opening Blitz • 2017★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Gelfand,B1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Grischuk,A1-0
Amber Rapid • 2006★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Leko,P1-0
Amber Rapid • 2006★ Notable
Adams,Mi vs Svidler,P0-1
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Cabrera,A vs Gelfand,B0-1
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Zeliakov,Nugzar1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Al Modiahki,M vs Polgar,Ju0-1
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Kramnik, Vladimir0-1
Dortmunder Schachtage • 1999★ Notable
Vajda, Levente vs Dominguez Perez, Lenier1-0
Wch U18 • 1998★ Notable
Adams, Michael vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Gelfand, Boris1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Kasparov, Gary1-0
Tilburg Fontys • 1997★ Notable

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