Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Sokolsky Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B52), reached after 9 half-moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4.

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

Black knight — 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: Moscow Variation, Sokolsky Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B52. 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 9 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4.

It belongs to the Sicilian Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Moscow Variation → Sokolsky Variation line). The immediate parent line is Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, transitioned via 5.c4.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.Bb5+ Bd7, 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7, 5.c4. 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.