Chess Openings·Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Variation

Semi-Open Game

Sicilian Defence, Nimzowitsch Variation

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6

Step through

4 / 4
  1. 1.
  2. 2.

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
4 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
28
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 1
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkb1r/pp1ppppp/5n2/2p5/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 2 3

Move by move

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

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2e4
  2. 1c5Black: Pawn c7c5
  3. 2.Nf3White: Knight g1f3
  4. 2Nf6Black: Knight g8f6

Nearby lines

first 3 moves shared

Common questions

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

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6

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 4 moves it is White to move.