Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B80), reached after 10 half-moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6.

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

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

Continue from this position

6 replies continue into sub-variations from this position. Click any to drill deeper.

6.Be2 4 lines
6.Be3 2 lines
- B90 Delayed Keres Attack +1
6.f4 2 lines
- B82 Matanovic Attack
- B82 Tal Variation
6.Bb5+ 1 line
- B80 Vitolins Variation
6.g3 1 line
- B80 Fianchetto Variation
6.g4 1 line
- B81 Keres Attack

About this opening

Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B80. 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 10 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6.

It belongs to the Sicilian Defense family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Scheveningen Variation line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 e6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.Nc3 d6. From this position 6 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.