Sicilian Defense, Smith–Morra Accepted & Scheveningen
Sicilian Defense
Definition
The Sicilian Defense is the family of openings that begins with the moves 1. e4 c5. Black immediately contests the center from the flank rather than mirroring White’s pawn on e4. Because almost every branch of the opening starts from this asymmetrical position, “Sicilian Defense” is both a single opening and an umbrella term for dozens of systems (Najdorf, Dragon, Scheveningen, Taimanov, etc.).
How It Is Used in Chess
- Fight for the initiative: By avoiding an early …e5, Black keeps the position unbalanced, aiming for counter-play on the queenside while White often attacks on the kingside.
- Repertoire cornerstone: The Sicilian is the most popular reply to 1.e4 at every rating level, from beginners to World Championship matches.
- Move-order flexibility: Black can steer into a variety of pawn structures (Scheveningen, Najdorf, Sveshnikov, Accelerated Dragon, etc.) to suit stylistic preferences.
Strategic & Historical Significance
First recorded in 1594 by Giulio Polerio, the Sicilian remained a sideline until the 20th century, when grandmasters such as Tarrasch, Alapin, and especially Najdorf and Fischer made it mainstream. Its dynamic imbalance—an extra central pawn for White versus Black’s queenside majority and piece activity—embodies modern chess’s emphasis on active counter-play.
Relevant Example
In the decisive 16th game of the Kasparov – Anand match (World Championship, New York 1995), Kasparov used the Najdorf Sicilian to secure a critical win:
Interesting Facts
- Statistics show the Sicilian yields Black the highest percentage of decisive games among all replies to 1.e4.
- The name comes from an Italian–French 1813 treatise that dubbed 1…c5 “Il giuoco siciliano,” crediting Sicilian players for its study.
- World champions from Fischer through Carlsen have all relied on the Sicilian in critical games.
Smith–Morra Gambit (Accepted)
Definition
The Smith–Morra Gambit arises after 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3. If Black accepts with 3…dxc3 4. Nxc3, the line is termed the Smith–Morra Accepted. White sacrifices a pawn to obtain rapid development, an open c- and d-file for the rooks, and attacking chances against Black’s king.
How It Is Used in Chess
- Practical weapon: Favored by club players and rapid-time-control specialists to catch Sicilian players off guard.
- Initiative over material: White aims for swift piece activity—Bf1-c4, Qd1-e2, 0-0-0—often launching an early kingside assault.
- Black’s choice: Accepting (…dxc3) concedes the initiative; declining (…Nf6 or …d5) transposes to Alapin‐style positions.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The gambit is named after U.S. master Ken Smith and French player Pierre Morra, who popularized it in the 1950s-70s. Although engines judge the pawn sacrifice as objectively insufficient, the line remains psychologically potent. Grandmasters such as Marc Esserman and Hikaru Nakamura have used it successfully in blitz and rapid play.
Example Line: The Scheveningen Set-up
One respected antidote is to accept the pawn and steer into a Scheveningen pawn structure with …e6 and …d6:
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 d6 7. O-O Nf6
Black keeps the extra pawn and erects a solid center, planning …Be7, …a6, and typical Sicilian counter-play.
Illustrative Game
G. Flear – S. Williams, London 1998 showcased how Black neutralized the initiative and converted the extra pawn:
Interesting Facts
- Ken Smith once mailed thousands of copies of his Smith–Morra pamphlet to U.S. tournament directors to encourage its adoption.
- The gambit often features the “cobweb” tactic: Bg5, Qe2, Rfd1, Rac1, pinning and piling up on the d-file.
Scheveningen Formation
Definition
The Scheveningen formation is a pawn structure—rather than a single opening—characterized by Black pawns on d6 and e6 with no pawn on d5. It most commonly arises from the Sicilian Defense but can occur in other openings. The setup resembles a flexible hedgehog, controlling central squares while keeping pawn breaks in reserve.
How It Is Used in Chess
- Flexibility: Black can choose between …a6 and …b5 (queenside expansion), …d5 (central break), or …f5 (kingside counter-play) depending on White’s plan.
- Safety first: By delaying castling or choosing the side later, Black adapts to White’s attacking intentions.
- Typical piece placement: Knights on f6 and d7, bishop on e7 (or g7 if transposed from the Dragon), queen often on c7, rooks on c8 and d8.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The formation was popularized in the 1920s after a team match held in Scheveningen, Netherlands, whose experimental pairing system also lent its name to the pawn structure. It became a mainstay of Garry Kasparov’s repertoire in the 1980s, culminating in many celebrated attacking wins over Anatoly Karpov.
Classic Example
In Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (Moscow) 1985, Game 16, Kasparov uncorked the famous exchange sacrifice on c3:
Black’s resilient d6-e6 wall delayed White’s central break long enough for counter-attacking opportunities.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The Scheveningen became so feared that many grandmasters now reach it only via Najdorf or Taimanov move orders to avoid early anti-Scheveningen lines such as the Keres Attack (g4).
- Because of its pawn structure, the formation can transpose into a French Defense after …d5, illustrating its hybrid nature.
- In computer chess, engines often prefer the modern Hedgehog setup (…a6/…b6) over classical Scheveningen, but human grandmasters still value the formation’s clarity.