Sicilian Scheveningen: Keres Attack

Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation

Definition

The Scheveningen is a set-up within the Sicilian Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6. Black’s pawns on d6 and e6 create a flexible “little center,” reminiscent of the pawn structure first popularized at the 1923 Scheveningen tournament in the Netherlands—hence the name.

Typical Move-Order and Structure

While the exact order can vary, the backbone is always the dark-square pawn duo on d6–e6. A common reference line is:

• Black keeps the d-pawn one step behind the e-pawn, delaying …d5 until it can be played under favorable circumstances.
• Typical follow-ups include …a6, …Qc7, …Nbd7, …Be7, and in many cases …b5 to grab queenside space.
• White chooses from a wide menu: the aggressive Keres Attack (6. g4), English Attack (6. Be3 followed by f3 and g4), Classical lines with Be2 and 0-0, or the quieter 6. g3 fianchetto.

Strategic Ideas

1. King Safety vs. Counterplay: Black deliberately weakens the dark squares around his king (d6, e6, f6) in order to obtain a robust structure and dynamic potential on the queenside.
2. …d5 Break: Much of Black’s strategy revolves around timing the central break …d5. If achieved safely, equality is often secured.
3. Pawn Storms: White frequently throws pawns on the kingside (g- and h-pawns) to crack open the black king before …d5 or …b5 generate enough counterplay.
4. Piece Placement: Knights often belong on f6 and c6 (or d7), bishops on e7 and e6, and the queen on c7 or a5. White aims a knight at d5 and often posts a bishop on e3 or g5.

Historical Significance

The structure was systematized by Dutch masters at Scheveningen 1923 and polished by Max Euwe. In the 1970s–80s it became a favorite of Garry Kasparov, who employed it successfully in several World Championship matches against Anatoly Karpov.

Illustrative Game

A classic Scheveningen battle is Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (Game 16), Moscow 1985. Kasparov used the English Attack setup, launching a pawn storm that eventually overwhelmed Black’s king, showcasing both the dangers and the counter-attacking chances inherent in the variation.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Because the pawns sit on dark squares, commentators sometimes call it the “Small Center” or “No-holes” system.
• Karpov once quipped that the Scheveningen is “a hedgehog in reverse”—spiky when attacked but able to spring forward with …d5.
• Many Najdorf aficionados reach a Scheveningen by omitting the early …a6. Thus modern theory often blurs “Najdorf” and “Scheveningen” move-orders.

Keres Attack

Definition

The Keres Attack is White’s razor-sharp response to the Scheveningen (and related Najdorf-Scheveningen hybrids), characterized by the immediate pawn thrust 6. g4!? after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6. Named after the great Estonian grandmaster Paul Keres, it aims to chase away the f6-knight and rip open lines before Black can castle safely.

Typical Continuations

• 6…h6 is the most common reply, restraining g5 but slightly weakening the kingside.
• 6…Nc6 transposes to the Perenyi variation where both sides throw caution to the wind.
• After 6…h6 7. h4!, White threatens g5 anyway, often following with Rg1, Be3, Qf3, and long castling.

Strategic Themes

1. Time is Material: White sacrifices pawn structure (and sometimes a pawn) for development and a direct assault on the black king.
2. King in the Center: If Black delays castling, the open g- and h-files become highways for White’s rooks and queen.
3. Counter-strike: Black counters on the queenside with …a6, …b5, and in the center with …d5. Precision is mandatory; one tempo often decides the game.

Historical Notes

Paul Keres debuted the line in 1943 against Efim Bogoljubow in Salzburg, scoring a crushing win. Its shock value quickly caught on, and by the 1960s even Bobby Fischer tested it. Garry Kasparov turned it into a serious weapon during his early career, forcing a revival of the Scheveningen’s theoretical defenses.

Famous Encounters

• Keres – Bogoljubow, Salzburg 1943: The inaugural game; Keres’ g-pawns stampeded while Black’s pieces sat passive.
• Fischer – Geller, Palma de Mallorca Interzonal 1970: Fischer eschewed his beloved Najdorf to catch Geller off guard with 6. g4, winning in 26 moves.
• Kasparov – Polugaevsky, Moscow 1981: A model demonstration of long-side castling and a rapid kingside avalanche.

Interesting Facts

• Grandmaster Sergei Shipov jokes that after playing 6. g4 “all gentlemen must remove their jackets—it’s about to get messy!”
• The move was once considered unsound; today engines rate it as one of White’s most dangerous tries.
• Because the line is so forcing, many modern players sidestep it with a Najdorf move-order (5…a6) to make 6. g4 less effective.