Library/Openings/Sicilian Defense/Scheveningen Variation/Classical Main Line ECO B85
Opening· 20 plies

Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Main Line

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B85), reached after 20 half-moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Be3 Be7 9. f4 d6 10. Qe1 O-O.

Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Main Line ECO B85
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Black rook
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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: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Main Line is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B85. 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 20 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Be3 Be7 9. f4 d6 10. Qe1 O-O.

It belongs to the Sicilian Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Scheveningen Variation → Classical Main Line line). The immediate parent line is Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, transitioned via 10…O-O.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 e6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nc6, 5.Nc3 Qc7, 6.Be2 a6. 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.