Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Sozin Attack

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B57), reached after 11 half-moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bc4.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black bishop — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

End of this line

No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

About this opening

Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Sozin Attack is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B57. 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. Bc4.

It belongs to the Sicilian Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Classical Variation → Sozin Attack line). The immediate parent line is Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, transitioned via 6.Bc4.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.Nc3 Nc6, 6.Bc4. 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.