Chess Openings·Sicilian Defence, Closed Variation

Semi-Open Game

Sicilian Defence, Closed Variation

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3

Step through

5 / 5
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

Instead of copying the centre, the reply comes from the side. Both kings come under fire early, so one slip decides it. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on e4. Nothing has been captured yet. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
5 moves
To move
Black
Legal replies
26
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 1
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/2p5/4P3/2N3P1/PPPP1P1P/R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 0 3

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…c5Black: Pawn c7→c5
  3. 2.Nc3White: Knight b1→c3
  4. 2…Nc6Black: Knight b8→c6
  5. 3.g3White: Pawn g2→g3

Nearby lines

first 4 moves shared

Sicilian Defence, Grand Prix Attack…f4Sicilian Defencee4 c5Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation…c3Sicilian Defence, Wing Gambit…b4Sicilian Defence, Hyper-Accelerated Dragon…Nf3 g6Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Variation…Nf3 Nf6

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Sicilian Defence, Closed Variation?

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Semi-Open Game — 1.e4 met by anything other than 1…e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 5 moves it is Black to move.