Chess Openings·Sicilian Defence, Kan Variation

Semi-Open Game

Sicilian Defence, Kan Variation

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6

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

The position

Length
8 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
42
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 0
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkbnr/1p1p1ppp/p3p3/8/3NP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 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…e6Black: Pawn e7→e6
  5. 3.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  6. 3…cxd4Black: Pawn c5→d4 (capture)
  7. 4.Nxd4White: Knight f3→d4 (capture)
  8. 4…a6Black: Pawn a7→a6

Nearby lines

first 7 moves shared

Sicilian Defence, Taimanov Variation…Nc6Sicilian Defence, Hyper-Accelerated Dragon…g6Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Variation…Nf6Sicilian Defence, Rossolimo Variation…Nc6 Bb5Sicilian Defence, Moscow Variation…d6 Bb5Sicilian Defence, Accelerated Dragon…Nc6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4

Common questions

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

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6

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.