Sicilian Defense Amazon Attack
Sicilian Defense — Amazon Attack
Definition
The Sicilian Defense Amazon Attack is an off-beat variation of the Sicilian Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Qh5. White develops the queen on move two, immediately threatening the pawn on c5 and the vulnerable f-pawn (…♟f7) in Black’s camp. The name “Amazon” is a playful reference to the most powerful fairy-chess piece—the amazon (queen + knight compound)—implying that White is trying to wield the ordinary queen as an oversized, all-powerful piece right from the start.
Typical Move Order
The line can be reached in several ways, but the most direct (and most common in databases) is:
- 1. e4 c5
- 2. Qh5 …
After 2…Nf6 (the main reply), the critical continuation is 3. Qh4 (or 3.Qf3) followed by normal development. Black can also play 2…e6, 2…g6, or 2…d6, each with the simple idea of meeting 3.Qxc5 with …♝d6, trapping the queen.
Strategic Ideas & Evaluation
- Early queen adventure. White hopes to provoke weaknesses (…g6 or …e6) or win the c5 pawn. In practice, the queen often loses time, allowing Black a free hand in the center.
- Black’s central counterplay. Because the queen will soon have to retreat, Black enjoys an easy ♞f6 and …d5 break, equalizing—or better—by move eight.
- Theoretical verdict. Modern engines give Black a clear edge (≈ +0.5 to +1.0 pawns). The line is thus considered unsound at the master level but can serve as a surprise weapon in blitz.
Historical Notes
The earliest logged appearance is R. Michell – J. O’Hanlon, London 1909, where Michell played 2.Qh5 and eventually lost. The idea has resurfaced mainly in internet blitz; almost no top-level classical games feature it. GM Hikaru Nakamura once jokingly employed it in an online bullet game, calling it “objectively trash, but practically fun.”
Illustrative Mini-Game
Below is a short skirmish that shows typical themes:
Practical Tips
- If you play 1.e4 and crave surprise value, be prepared for the …Nf6 refutation and study queen-retreat squares (h4, f3, e2).
- As Black, respond calmly—avoid weakening moves like 2…g6?! unless you know the tactics. Simply 2…Nf6! and rapid development usually suffice.
- Remember that after 2.Qh5 Nc6?! 3.Qxc5, Black regains the pawn by 3…e6 4.Qe3 d5! with tempi.
Interesting Facts
- The move 2.Qh5 scores under 40 % for White in the lichess masters database, one of the poorest results for any second-move queen excursion against the Sicilian.
- The “Amazon Attack” label is also used in some sources for 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5; in both cases the spirit is identical.
- In variant chess, an amazon really can deliver mate on move two; in orthodox chess, the queen alone falls short—one more reason the opening is mostly a curiosity.