Library/Openings/Sicilian Defense/Lasker-Pelikan Variation/Bird Variation ECO B33
Opening· 16 plies

Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Bird Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B33), reached after 16 half-moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 Be6.

Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Bird Variation ECO B33
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Black rook
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White bishop
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End of this line

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

About this opening

Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Bird Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B33. 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 16 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 Be6.

It belongs to the Sicilian Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Lasker-Pelikan Variation → Bird Variation line). The immediate parent line is Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, transitioned via 8…Be6.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.Nc3 e5, 6.Ndb5 d6. 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.