Sicilian Defense: Open Scheveningen Sozin Attack
Sicilian Defense
Definition
The Sicilian Defense is a chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 c5. Instead of mirroring White’s central pawn thrust with 1…e5, Black immediately contests the d4-square from the flank, setting up an asymmetrical pawn structure that leads to rich, double-edged positions. It is the most popular and best-scoring reply to 1. e4 at every level of play.
Typical Usage
After 1. e4 c5, both sides can steer the game into a vast forest of variations. Players select systems—Najdorf, Dragon, Sveshnikov, Classical, Scheveningen, and others—based on preferred middlegame structures and piece activity. Its flexibility makes the Sicilian Defense a mainstay of many opening repertoires.
Strategic Themes
- Imbalanced Center: Black trades a flank pawn (the c-pawn) for a central pawn after …cxd4, yielding extra central space to White while gaining dynamic counterplay.
- Open c-file: Black often places heavy pieces on the half-open c-file (Rc8, Qc7, Nc6-b4) to pressure White’s queenside.
- Opposite-side Attacks: In many lines, White castles long and storms the kingside with pawns, while Black castles short and pushes …a6, …b5 and …b4 to storm the queenside.
Historical Significance
Although known since the 16th century (Italian master Giulio Polerio analyzed it), the Sicilian surged after WWII. Bobby Fischer famously called it “the Cadillac of openings,” and modern greats—Kasparov, Anand, Carlsen—have all relied on it. The ECO devotes almost an entire volume (B20–B99) to its variations.
Illustrative Mini-Example
The snippet reaches the iconic Najdorf structure after 6…a6, highlighting Black’s queenside ambitions.
Interesting Fact
The Sicilian’s statistical edge is tangible: databases show Black scoring roughly 49 %—a significant improvement over symmetrical replies to 1. e4.
Open Sicilian
Definition
The term “Open Sicilian” refers to the main line sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 (or …Nc6/…e6) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4, where White sacrifices the d-pawn temporarily to open the position and develop with tempo. This position marks the branching point into virtually all major Sicilian variations.
How It Arises
- White plays 2. Nf3, preparing d2–d4.
- After 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4, the c- and d-files open, and both sides race to mobilize pieces.
Strategic Hallmarks
- Piece Activity Versus Structure: White enjoys rapid development and central space; Black gains the half-open c-file and prospects of …d5 or …e5 breaks.
- Theoretical Density: Books and databases track lines 20–30 moves deep; novelties (new moves) often decide elite games.
Historical Note
The “Open” treatment of the Sicilian became standard only in the late 19th century. Wilhelm Steinitz initially preferred closed systems (2. Nc3), but later generations—Capablanca, Alapin—shifted toward the modern approach with 3. d4.
Model Game Reference
Kasparov – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999, featured a spectacular queen sacrifice in an Open Sicilian Najdorf, widely regarded as one of the greatest attacking games ever.
Scheveningen Variation
Definition
The Scheveningen is a pawn structure within the Sicilian characterized by Black’s pawns on d6 and e6, typically reached after:
Unlike the Najdorf, Black delays or omits …a6, focusing instead on the solid “little center” (d6–e6).
Strategic Ideas
- Flexibility: Black can choose when—or if—to play …a6, …b5, …d5, or …e5 depending on White’s setup.
- King Safety: The pawn chain shields the black king, while squares d5 and f5 become focal points for both sides.
- Keres Attack Danger: White’s aggressive 6. g4 (Keres Attack) targets the Scheveningen structure directly, leading to sharp play.
Name & History
Named after the fishing village of Scheveningen in the Netherlands, where it was analyzed during an international tournament in 1923. Dutch master Jan Hein Donner and later Soviet grandmasters (Polugaevsky, Karpov) became major exponents.
Famous Encounter
Kasparov employed the Scheveningen setup to defeat Anatoly Karpov in game 24 of their 1985 World Championship match, clinching the title with a blistering kingside attack.
Fun Fact
The structure also arises from other Sicilians (Najdorf, Paulsen) via transposition, making move-order nuances a favorite quiz topic for opening theorists.
Sozin Attack
Definition
The Sozin Attack is a white system against the Classical Sicilian (…Nc6) and often the Scheveningen, introduced after:
Its hallmark move is 6. Bc4, placing the bishop on the dangerous a2–g8 diagonal, eyeing f7 and d5.
Strategic Purpose
- Immediate Pressure: Bc4 discourages …d5 (Black’s freeing break) because of tactical motifs on f7.
- Attacking Chances: White often castles queenside and throws pawns (g4, h4) toward Black’s king.
- Piece Coordination: Knights on f3 and d4, plus the dark-square bishop, coordinate for sacrifices on e6 or f5.
Origins & Name
Named after Russian master Veniamin Sozin (1896-1956), who analyzed 6. Bc4 extensively in the 1930s. Bobby Fischer revived it in the 1960s, winning several brilliancies—including Fischer – Taimanov, Candidates 1971.
Key Variations
- Fischer–Sozin (6…e6 7. Be3): White bolsters d4 and prepares Qe2 and 0-0-0.
- Velimirovic Attack (with 9. f4 g4): A hyper-aggressive sub-line named after Yugoslav GM Dragoljub Velimirović.
Illustrative Finish
Fischer – Reshevsky, US Championship 1966, ended with the famous sacrifice 21. Nxe6!! fxe6 22. Qxe6+, exploiting the Sozin bishop on c4.
Trivia
The Sozin, the Scheveningen, and the Najdorf often transpose back and forth—a “Sozin-Scheveningen hybrid” is common in modern practice. Engines evaluate many positions as roughly equal, yet practical chances for both sides remain huge.