Library/Openings/Sicilian Defense/Scheveningen Variation/Classical Variation/Paulsen Variation ECO B85
Opening· 16 plies

Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B85), reached after 16 half-moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f4 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. O-O Nc6.

Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation ECO B85
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Black rook
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Black bishop
Black rook
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Black queen
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Black knight
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Black knight
White knight
White pawn
White pawn
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White bishop
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White king
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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 Variation, Paulsen Variation 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 16 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f4 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. O-O Nc6.

It belongs to the Sicilian Defense family. Within that family this is a level-3 branch (the Scheveningen Variation → Classical Variation → Paulsen Variation line). The immediate parent line is Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, transitioned via 8…Nc6.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.Nc3 a6, 6.f4 e6. 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.