Hungarian Opening: Sicilian Invitation

Hungarian Opening: Sicilian Invitation

Definition

The Hungarian Opening: Sicilian Invitation is a chess opening that begins with the moves 1. g3 c5. White fianchettoes the king’s bishop, while Black replies with the characteristic pawn thrust of the Sicilian Defence. The name “Sicilian Invitation” reflects the idea that White is, in effect, inviting Black to set up a Sicilian-type structure, but with colours reversed. The opening is catalogued in ECO as A00 (irregular openings) and sometimes cross-referenced to A20–A29 (English Opening lines) when play transposes.

Typical Move Order and Transpositions

The critical starting position arises after:
1. g3 c5

• 2. Bg2 is practically forced; now Black can choose among …d5, …Nc6, …g6 or …e6.
• 2…d5 3. c4 often transposes to a Symmetrical English with the early …d5.
• 2…Nc6 3. c4 is a pure Reverse Sicilian: the typical Sicilian position with an extra tempo for White.
• 2…g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Nc6 becomes a Fianchetto English or King’s Indian Attack–English hybrid.

Strategic Ideas

• White’s perspective
  • Use the extra tempo in the Reverse Sicilian setup to seize space with c4, Nc3, d3, and sometimes Rb1 & b4.
  • Keep the position flexible: depending on Black’s reply, White can steer the game toward an English, a King’s Indian Attack, or even a reversed Accelerated Dragon.
  • The fianchettoed bishop on g2 puts long-range pressure on the center and queenside, especially the d5-square.
• Black’s perspective
  • Strike quickly in the center with …d5, turning the game into an open struggle before White consolidates the extra tempo.
  • Mirror White’s fianchetto with …g6 and …Bg7, creating symmetrical pawn structures where the extra tempo is less telling.
  • Adopt typical Sicilian themes—…e6, …d5 breaks, minority attacks with …b5, or piece play on the dark squares—while remaining mindful that roles are reversed.

Historical and Theoretical Notes

The opening owes its “Hungarian” label to early experiments by Hungarian masters at the end of the 19^th and start of the 20^th century, notably Géza Maróczy and Zoltán von Balla. Modern Hungarian grandmasters such as Péter Lékó have also employed 1. g3 systems, giving the name added resonance.

The line has never been a mainstay of elite praxis, but it appears periodically as a surprise weapon. Because it can transpose to many well-known English or Catalan-type structures, its independent theory is modest, making it attractive to players who prefer plans over memorisation.

Illustrative Game

The following miniature shows a direct central clash after 1…d5:

White (Lékó) ultimately converted the extra exchange after a tactical melee, illustrating how quickly open positions can arise. The PGN viewer will let you play through the full sequence.

Common Plans for Both Sides

1. White plays c4, Nc3, d3, Rb1, a3, and b4 for queenside expansion.
2. Black answers with …Nc6, …g6, …Bg7, and …d6, mimicking the Dragon, or with …e6 and an early …d5 breaking open the center.
3. Endgames often favour White: a symmetrical pawn structure plus an extra tempo can translate into the initiative.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Grandmaster Tony Miles, famous for his off-beat openings (including 1…a6 against Karpov), occasionally tried 1. g3 c5 2. Bg2, quipping that “anything is a Sicilian if you play …c5 soon enough.”
• The move 1. g3 has been called the “Benko Opening” in honour of Pal Benko, another Hungarian legend who used it to out-prepare opponents in the 1960s. When Black answers with …c5 specifically, databases now list the hybrid as the Hungarian Opening: Sicilian Invitation.
• In blitz and rapid chess the line scores slightly above average for White, perhaps because many Sicilian specialists suddenly find themselves playing their favourite opening—but a tempo down!

Practical Tips

• If you enjoy the English Opening but want to sidestep 1…e5 and 1…c5 theoretical duels, start with 1. g3 and choose when, or whether, to push c4.
• As Black, treat 1. g3 c5 as a normal Sicilian position: develop pieces quickly, watch the d5-square, and do not fear the extra tempo—White still has to prove an advantage.
• Aim for pawn breaks: for White, d4 or b4; for Black, …d5 or …b5. The side that successfully opens the position usually seizes the initiative.