Sicilian Defense Open Scheveningen Keres Attack
Sicilian Defense
Definition
The Sicilian Defense is the chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 c5. Black immediately stakes out space on the queenside, refusing the symmetrical 1…e5 reply and creating an asymmetrical pawn structure that offers both sides rich chances for unbalanced, dynamic play.
Typical Move Order
The bare minimum to reach a “Sicilian” position is:
- 1. e4 — White occupies the center and frees the queen and bishop.
- 1…c5 — Black contests d4, prepares …d5 in some lines, and keeps the game unbalanced.
Strategic Themes
- Pawn Structure: Black’s half-open c-file versus White’s half-open d-file leads to characteristic minority attacks and piece pressure.
- Imbalance & Counterplay: Black often aims for play on the queenside (…b5, …Rc8), while White seeks a kingside initiative (f4-f5, g2-g4).
- Rich Opening Theory: Dozens of sub-variations—Najdorf, Dragon, Classical, Scheveningen, Sveshnikov, etc.—each with unique strategic ideas.
Historical Significance
Although analyzed as early as the 16th century by Gioachino Greco, the Sicilian only became mainstream in the 20th century, popularized by world champions such as José Raúl Capablanca (occasionally), Mikhail Botvinnik, Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov, and Magnus Carlsen. Over half of all decisive top-level games that start with 1. e4 now feature 1…c5, making it the most popular reply to 1. e4.
Illustrative Game
Kasparov – Anand, World Championship 1995 (Game 10) saw the razor-sharp Najdorf Variation: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6, culminating in a memorable kingside assault by Kasparov.
Interesting Facts
- The ECO codes for the Sicilian range from B20 to B99, the single largest opening family in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings.
- In the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer, the young prodigy is advised, “Don’t move until you see it.” In real life, Bobby Fischer played the Sicilian both with White (crushing with 1. e4) and occasionally with Black.
Open Sicilian
Definition
The term “Open Sicilian” describes any Sicilian Defense in which White plays the central pawn break 3. d4, leading to the characteristic sequence 3…cxd4 4. Nxd4. This results in:
- White: a knight on d4, long-term pressure on the half-open d-file.
- Black: a pawn majority on the queenside and an open c-file.
Canonical Move Order
The exact second move for Black (…d6, …Nc6, or …e6) does not change the definition; the key is the immediate d-pawn advance and recapture on d4.
Strategic Implications
- Theoretical Depth: Because the Open Sicilian is considered White’s most challenging try for advantage, it has generated enormous theory.
- Piece Activity vs. Structure: White often sacrifices structural integrity (isolated or doubled pawns) for rapid development and initiative.
- Direction of Play: The game usually divides: White attacks the kingside or center, Black counterattacks on the queenside with …b5, …Rc8, and pressure along the c-file.
Historical Context
The Open Sicilian became popular after the 1950s when players like Fischer and Tal proved its combative potential. By the 1970s, declining to play 3. d4 at top level was often viewed as aiming for “less than the maximum.”
Example Miniature
Tal – Browne, Vancouver 1971: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 (quiet-looking but venomous!) Qa5+? 6. Bd2 Qb6 7. Nb3 and Black’s queen is sidelined while Tal’s pieces swarm the center.
Fun Anecdote
Garry Kasparov’s famous quip, “If you want to play for a win with Black, play the Sicilian; if you want to play for a win with White, play the Open Sicilian,” sums up the opening’s double-edged nature.
Scheveningen (Sicilian Scheveningen Variation)
Definition
The Scheveningen is a pawn-structure-based variation of the Sicilian Defense characterized by Black placing pawns on d6 and e6 without advancing the a-pawn to a6 (as in the Najdorf) or the g-pawn to g6 (as in the Dragon). A typical starting position arises after:
Here, Black enjoys a flexible setup that can transpose to other Sicilian systems, while White has a myriad of aggressive attacking choices.
Strategic Themes
- Central Elasticity: Pawns on d6 and e6 give Black a compact center that can expand with …d5 in one move.
- King Safety vs. Activity: Black’s king is generally safe behind the “little center,” but any premature pawn push (…d5 or …e5) can create weaknesses.
- White’s Kingside Storm: Plans like Be3, f3, Qd2, g4, 0-0-0 followed by g5 or h4 are thematic.
Historical Origin
The name comes from the “Scheveningen System” of team tournaments invented in Scheveningen, Netherlands, 1923. Dutch master Max Euwe (world champion 1935-37) was instrumental in early analysis, but the variation gained massive popularity after its adoption by Soviet grandmasters in the 1960s-70s.
Model Game
Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship 1985 (Game 16) featured the Scheveningen structure, with Kasparov launching a classic pawn storm (f2-f4, g2-g4) en route to a crushing attack.
Key Move Orders to Reach or Avoid
- Najdorf vs. Scheveningen: 5…a6 is the Najdorf; omitting …a6 keeps the pure Scheveningen but allows the Keres Attack (6. g4!).
- Paulsen / Taimanov Transpositions: If Black plays …Nc6 and …e6 before …d6, the game may enter Paulsen territory.
Interesting Facts
- Because the Scheveningen lacks an early …a6, it saves a tempo compared with the Najdorf but is also more vulnerable to direct pawn storms.
- Garry Kasparov’s famed “Sicilian Wall” repertoire in the 1980s relied heavily on the Scheveningen structure, forcing opponents to prepare deeply for the Keres, English, and Fischer–Sozin attacks.
Keres Attack
Definition
The Keres Attack is White’s aggressive reply to the Scheveningen structure, introduced by Estonian legend Paul Keres in 1943. It arises after the moves:
With 6. g4, White immediately threatens g5 to drive away Black’s knight from f6, often following up with g5, h4-h5, Be3, Qf3, and 0-0-0 to launch a fierce kingside assault.
Strategic Ideas
- Space Gain & Tempo: g4-g5 forces Black’s knight to retreat, gaining space and time for White’s attack.
- Hook at g6: After …h6 or …g6, the pawn on g4 serves as a lever to rip open lines toward Black’s king.
- Demanding Defense: Black must react precisely—common choices include 6…h6, 6…Nc6, or transposing to the Najdorf with 6…a6 to blunt the immediate storm.
Historical Highlights
- Debut: Keres – Euwe, Tallinn 1943, where Keres unleashed 6. g4 to score a model attacking win.
- Fischer’s Adoption: Bobby Fischer used the Keres Attack to score sparkling victories in the 1960s, praising its “straightforward brutality.”
- Modern Revival: Top grandmasters like Vishy Anand and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov periodically revisit the line to surprise well-prepared opponents.
Illustrative Tactical Motif
Typical continuation: 6. g4 h6 7. h4 Nc6 8. Rg1 (protecting g-pawn!) 8…h5 9. g5 Ng4 10. Rxg4! hxg4 11. Qxg4 with a direct attack on f7 and h8.
Counter-Options for Black
- 6…h6: A principled move forcing matters; may transpose to sharp main lines.
- 6…Nc6: Developing and ignoring the pawn thrust; requires nerves of steel but keeps central tension.
- 6…a6: “Keres–Najdorf Hybrid,” steering the game back into Najdorf channels where …b5 can hit the g4-pawn indirectly.
Trivia & Anecdotes
Paul Keres was nicknamed “The Eternal Second” for finishing runner-up in multiple Candidates cycles, yet his attacking inventions—especially 6. g4—remain first-choice weapons at every rating level. Grandmaster commentary routinely calls any early g-pawn thrust against the Scheveningen a “Keres-style attack,” a testament to his enduring influence.