Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Classical Main Line
Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Main Line
The Scheveningen is one of Black’s most flexible and time-tested setups in the Sicilian Defense. By combining …e6 and …d6 Black builds a sturdy “small center,” keeping options open for piece play and a future …d5 break. The Classical Main Line—often reached after 6.Be2—was once the battleground of World Championship contests and remains an essential part of grandmaster repertoires today.
Typical Move Order
The Classical Main Line usually proceeds:
- e4 c5
- Nf3 d6
- d4 cxd4
- Nxd4 Nf6
- Nc3 e6
- Be2 Be7
- O-O O-O
- f4 Nc6 (or 8…a6)
Alternative sixth moves for White (6.g4, 6.Be3, 6.Bc4) lead to the Keres Attack, English Attack, and Sozin lines, respectively, but 6.Be2 is the “classical” approach that focuses on rapid castling and central control before launching any pawn storms.
Strategic Themes
For White
- Space advantage on the kingside: moves like f4, Qe1–g3, and sometimes g4–g5 put pressure on Black’s knight at f6.
- Control of the d5-square: Be3, Qf3, Rad1, and sometimes a4 limit Black’s freeing …d5 break.
- Minor-piece pressure: Ndb5 (after a future a4) eyes the d6 pawn, while Bf3 can target b7.
For Black
- Counter-punch with …d5: timed correctly, this break equalizes space and unleashes the dark-squared bishop.
- Flexible piece placement: …a6, …Qc7, …b5 can transpose to Najdorf-like structures without having committed …a6 on move 5.
- King safety: the solid pawn chain d6-e6 and pieces behind it provide excellent shelter, buying time for queenside expansion.
Historical Significance
The Scheveningen (named after the Dutch seaside resort where it was analyzed in the early 20th century) gained elite status in the 1970s and 1980s. Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, and Viktor Kortchnoi all tested it at the highest level, with Kasparov’s dynamic handling popularizing setups involving …a6 and …b5.
The Classical Main Line’s importance was underscored in the 1981 Karpov–Kortchnoi Candidates Final, where multiple games began with 6.Be2. Later, Kasparov used related positions in his 1985 World Championship match versus Karpov, reinforcing the line’s theoretical relevance.
Notable Games
- Karpov – Kortchnoi, Candidates Final (Game 2), 1981 – White employed the f4 plan but Kortchnoi’s accurate …d5 break secured equality.
- Kasparov – Andersson, Hamburg 1985 – A model attacking victory for White featuring Qe1–g3 and a kingside pawn storm.
- Ponomariov – Topalov, Linares 2004 – Illustrates Black’s queenside expansion with …a6, …b5, and a timely …d5 to seize the initiative.
Illustrative PGN
The following mini-model shows typical piece placement and the race between White’s kingside ambitions and Black’s central break:
Typical Tactical Motifs
- Exchange sacrifice on c3 (…Rxc3): weakens White’s dark squares and disrupts coordination.
- …d5 pawn break tactics: if White’s e4 pawn is pinned (e.g., by …Qb6), …d5 can arrive with tempo.
- Nf4 leap: after White plays g3, Black’s knight can reroute via d5–f4 to harass the queen and light-squared bishop.
Interesting Facts
- The legendary “Kasparov versus the World” internet game (1999) featured a Scheveningen structure—Kasparov trusted Black’s setup so much he played it as White!
- Bobby Fischer briefly used the Scheveningen move order (without …a6) against Tigran Petrosian in 1971, praising its solidity.
- The modern fashion of delaying …a6 allows Black to transpose between pure Scheveningen and Najdorf systems based on White’s sixth move.
Why Study This Line?
Whether you are a Najdorf devotee looking for flexibility, or a 1.e4 player seeking a classical avenue to attack, the Scheveningen Classical Main Line provides a balanced platform for rich, strategic battles. Mastering its ideas equips you to handle a vast number of Sicilian transpositions with confidence.