About this opening
Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Fianchetto Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings,
classified under code B56. ECO group B (B00–B99)
covers semi-open games (1.e4 with Black playing anything other than 1…e5), with the Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann and Pirc/Modern at its heart. This particular variation is reached
after 11 half-moves from the
starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. g3.
It belongs to the Sicilian Defense family.
Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Classical Variation → Fianchetto Variation line). The immediate parent line is Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, transitioned via 6.g3.
The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.Nc3 Nc6, 6.g3. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.