Sicilian Defense Open Scheveningen Variation
Sicilian Defense – Open Scheveningen Variation
Definition
The Sicilian Defense, Open Scheveningen Variation is a sub-line of the Sicilian Defense that arises after White plays 1. e4 and Black replies 1…c5, eventually reaching the characteristic “little center” pawn structure …e6 and …d6 without an early …a6 (Najdorf) or …Nc6 (Classical). The standard tabiya appears after:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6
This is termed an Open Sicilian because White opens the position with 3. d4, exchanging the d-pawn for Black’s c-pawn. The name “Scheveningen” (pronounced SKAY-ven-in-gen) comes from the Dutch seaside village where the structure first appeared in a 1923 tournament, and it now denotes any Sicilian setup with pawns on d6 and e6, a kingside fianchetto optional, and flexible development for both sides.
Typical Move Orders & Key Tabiya
The tabiya (main starting position) may be reached through many transpositions:
- Najdorf move-order: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 (Scheveningen by transposition).
- Classical move-order: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be2 d6 7. O-O (often called the “Paulsen/Scheveningen hybrid”).
- Accelerated Scheveningen: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6.
Regardless of move-order, if Black’s c-pawn has been exchanged, the king pawn is on e6 (not e5), and the queen pawn on d6 (not d5), you are usually in a Scheveningen.
Strategic Themes
- Pawn Structure: Black maintains a semi-open c-file and a compact central pawn mass (d6-e6-f7). This limits White’s central space while allowing breaks with …d5 or …b5.
- Flexible Piece Play: Black’s knights often land on f6 and d7; bishops may go to e7, g7, or b4 depending on the plan chosen.
- White’s Main Plans:
- Keres Attack: 6. g4, a sharp pawn storm aiming for g5 and e5.
- English Attack-style: Be3, Qd2, 0-0-0, and f3/g4/ h4 pawn storms.
- Classical Development: Be2, 0-0, f4 or f5 later, combined with a kingside assault.
- Black’s Counterplay:
- Central break …d5 (the thematic equalizer).
- Queenside expansion …a6/…b5, sometimes combined with …Bb7 and pressure on the long diagonal.
- Timely piece sacrifices on the e- and g-files to exploit overextended White pawns.
Historical Significance
The Scheveningen was a favorite of World Champions Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov, whose contrasting styles generated a rich body of theory in their 1980s title matches. Kasparov’s dynamic handling inspired generations of attacking players, while Karpov’s more restrained setups showcased the variation’s positional resilience. The line temporarily fell from top-level fashion in the late 1990s when many players adopted the Najdorf, but recent engines have reaffirmed its soundness, spurring a modern revival.
Illustrative Games
- Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (Game 16), Moscow 1985
Kasparov unleashed the Keres Attack (6. g4) and eventually won a model attacking game. , a complicated struggle culminating in a quintessential Sicilian opposite-side attack. - Topalov – Gelfand, Linares 2001
Black demonstrated the power of the …d5 break to neutralize White’s pressure and seize the initiative.
Typical Tactical Motifs
- Exchange Sacrifice on c3: …Rxc3 or …Bxc3 followed by …d5 to shatter White’s center.
- Pawn Storm Collisions: White’s g- and h-pawns charge at the black king; Black counters on the c- and b-files.
- Minor-Piece Manoeuvres: Knight reroutes like Nc3-e2-g3 or Nb1-c3-e4 for White; …Nbd7-f6-g4 (h7) for Black.
Practical Advice
- Memorize plans before concrete move orders; transpositions are everywhere.
- If you play Black, be comfortable with both positional lines (…Be7 & …a6) and tactical minefields (Keres Attack).
- If you play White, anticipate the …d5 break—many promising attacks evaporate once Black achieves it under favorable circumstances.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The variation’s name honors the 1923 Scheveningen Tournament System (Netherlands), where every player from one team met every player from the other—yet the opening was actually introduced by Czech master Karel Opočenský there!
- Garry Kasparov used the Scheveningen as Black only once in a world championship game—but employed its ideas constantly via Najdorf transpositions.
- Modern engines still give near-equal evaluations, but practical score tables show Black performing above 50% at master level, attesting to its counterattacking potential.