Sicilian Defense: Open Scheveningen English Attack
Sicilian Defense
Definition
The Sicilian Defense is a chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 c5. By replying to the King’s Pawn with a flank pawn, Black immediately contests the center from the side rather than mirroring White’s pawn. The opening is classified under ECO codes B20–B99 and is the single most popular reply to 1.e4 at every level of play.
How It Is Used in Chess
The Sicilian aims for an imbalanced position with asymmetrical pawn structures, giving both sides chances to play for victory. Black accepts a small spatial concession in exchange for dynamic counterplay on the queenside and in the center.
Typical Move Orders & Ideas
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 (“Najdorf family”) – Black prepares …Nf6 and …a6.
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 (“Classical” setups) – Black develops quickly and keeps options flexible.
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 (“Scheveningen / Taimanov” complexes) – Black combines central restraint with rapid development.
Strategic & Historical Significance
First mentioned in Polerio’s 16th-century manuscripts and later championed by Giulio Cesare Polerio and Louis Paulsen, the Sicilian exploded in popularity after 1950 when players like Miguel Najdorf, Bobby Fischer, and Garry Kasparov demonstrated its winning potential. Statistically, it yields the highest percentage of decisive results among all mainline 1.e4 defenses.
Examples
Fischer used the Najdorf in his famous “Game of the Century” (Gottschall–Fischer, New York 1957) while Kasparov relied on the Scheveningen/Najdorf hybrids versus Karpov in their 1985 World Championship match.
Interesting Facts
- The name is derived from the Italian island of Sicily, where 19th-century theoreticians studied 1…c5 in depth.
- Computer engines rate the Sicilian as one of Black’s most resilient answers to 1.e4; AlphaZero used it in self-play despite starting from scratch.
Open Sicilian
Definition
The term “Open Sicilian” refers to positions arising after the sequence 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6/…Nc6/…e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4. White opens the center immediately with d4, leading to sharp play rich in tactical and strategic possibilities.
How It Is Used in Chess
By choosing the Open Sicilian, White:
- Gains rapid development and central control.
- Accepts an isolated or hanging pawn structure on the d-file in return for piece activity.
- Signals readiness for a theoretical duel; the Open Sicilian is theory-heavy and can branch into dozens of sub-variations such as the Najdorf, Dragon, Taimanov, Scheveningen, and Sveshnikov.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Because most of Black’s best-scoring Sicilian lines require 3…cxd4, almost all elite games featuring 1.e4 c5 enter the Open Sicilian. It has therefore become a laboratory for opening innovation—new ideas in the Najdorf or Dragon often decide World Championship games decades after their discovery.
Illustrative Line
The diagram (Najdorf main line) shows White ready to castle queenside and launch a kingside pawn storm, while Black intends …e5, …Be6, and counterplay on the c-file.
Interesting Facts
- World Champions from Fischer to Carlsen have preferred the Open Sicilian as White, demonstrating its enduring relevance.
- “Open” contrapositions “Closed” Sicilians (where White plays 2.Nc3 without d4) and “Anti-Sicilians” (Alapin, Grand Prix, etc.).
Scheveningen (Scheveningen Formation)
Definition
The Scheveningen is not a single variation but a pawn structure characterized for Black by pawns on d6 and e6 within the Sicilian Defense. A typical move order is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6. The name comes from the Scheveningen seaside resort in the Netherlands, host of the 1923 tournament where the structure was analyzed extensively.
How It Is Used in Chess
Black’s setup is compact and flexible:
- The d6–e6 pawns create a solid, elastic center that can advance with …d5 or …e5 at a suitable moment.
- Minor pieces aim at d5 and e4 squares; the half-open c-file offers counterplay.
- Because the king often castles short, the structure invites sharp opposite-wing attacks when White castles long.
Main Plans
- For White: Use the Keres Attack (6.g4), the English Attack (6.Be3 / f3 / Qd2 / g4), or the classical 6.Be2 followed by 0-0 to build central pressure.
- For Black: Break with …d5 (central equalizer) or …b5 and …b4 (queenside expansion). Timing these breaks is the art of Scheveningen play.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Garry Kasparov made the Scheveningen his mainstay in the 1980s, scoring crucial wins versus Karpov. However, the Keres Attack (6.g4) and fashionable English Attack lines forced many players to adopt hybrid move orders such as the Najdorf (…a6) to avoid certain white systems, giving rise to the term “Najdorf-Scheveningen”.
Example Game
Kasparov – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 followed a Scheveningen structure where Kasparov sacrificed material to unleash a devastating kingside attack, culminating in his immortal 24.Rxd4!! combination.
Interesting Facts
- Karpov once called the Scheveningen “Black’s Swiss-army knife” for its ability to transform from solid to razor-sharp on demand.
- The structure appears in other openings, including certain lines of the French and Pirc, proving its universal strategic value.
English Attack
Definition
The English Attack is an aggressive setup used by White against the Najdorf and Scheveningen Sicilians. Typical moves are Be3, f3, Qd2, g4, 0-0-0, leading to a pawn storm on the kingside aimed at Black’s castled king.
Typical Move Order
Against the Najdorf: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e6 7.f3 Be7 8.Qd2 0-0 9.0-0-0. The same piece layout is possible versus a pure Scheveningen (without …a6).
Strategic Themes
- Pawn Storm: g- and h-pawns spearhead the attack (g4-g5-h4-h5).
- Central Control: f3 supports e4 and restricts …Ng4.
- Opposite-Wing Castling: Black usually counters with …b5-b4 and pressure on the c-file, producing double-edged positions where “who mates first” often decides the game.
Historical Background
The line was popularized by English grandmasters such as John Nunn, Nigel Short, and Murray Chandler in the 1980s—hence the name “English Attack.” Its reputation grew after Anand, Adams, and later Carlsen employed it with great success.
Famous Games
- Anand – Kasparov, Linares 1991: Anand’s queenside batteries broke through on g7 for a memorable victory.
- Topalov – Gelfand, Wijk aan Zee 2001: Showcased textbook opposite-wing attacks ending in a picturesque rook sacrifice on h7.
Interesting Facts
- In the early database era, the English Attack single-handedly reduced the popularity of the Classical Scheveningen, driving Black players toward move-order nuances with …a6 or even early …Nc6.
- Despite its sharpness, many endgames arising from the English Attack favor White because the long-term kingside space advantage remains after exchanges.