Chess Openings·Sicilian Defence, Kalashnikov Variation

Semi-Open Game

Sicilian Defence, Kalashnikov Variation

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5

Step through

8 / 8
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.

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 · e5. 2 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
8 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
41
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 1
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
r1bqkbnr/pp1p1ppp/2n5/4p3/3NP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq e6 0 5

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.Nf3White: Knight g1→f3
  4. 2…Nc6Black: Knight b8→c6
  5. 3.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  6. 3…cxd4Black: Pawn c5→d4 (capture)
  7. 4.Nxd4White: Knight f3→d4 (capture)
  8. 4…e5Black: Pawn e7→e5

Nearby lines

first 7 moves shared

Sicilian Defence, Accelerated Dragon…g6Sicilian Defence, Sveshnikov Variation…Nf6 Nc3 e5Sicilian Defence, Rossolimo Variation…Bb5Sicilian Defence, Hyper-Accelerated Dragon…g6Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Variation…Nf6Sicilian Defence, Moscow Variation…d6 Bb5

Common questions

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

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5

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 8 moves it is White to move.