Sicilian Scheveningen - Definition & Guide

Definition

The Sicilian Scheveningen is a family of positions in the Sicilian Defence characterized by Black’s flexible “small center” pawn structure …d6 and …e6. The most common move-order reaches the Scheveningen after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6, although several transpositions (Najdorf, Paulsen, Taimanov, even Kan) are possible. The setup is named after the seaside district of Scheveningen in The Hague, where a 1923 masters’ tournament popularized the structure.

Typical Move Order and Tabiya

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 e6 — the “Scheveningen point.”

The resulting tabiya places pawns on d6 and e6, knights on f6 and c6 (often arriving a move later), and Black’s minor pieces behind the pawn shield. White has a wide array of sixth-move tries:

• Keres Attack 6.g4
• English Attack 6.Be3 followed by f3, Qd2, 0-0-0, g4
• Classical Sozin/Fischer-Sozin 6.Bc4
• Quiet Lines 6.Be2, 6.g3, 6.a4, etc.

Through Najdorf move-orders (…a6 instead of …e6) Black can postpone the commitment of the e-pawn, allowing flexible transpositions between the Najdorf and pure Scheveningen.

Strategic Themes and Plans

• Small Center Control: The twin pawns on d6 and e6 restrain White’s e4-pawn and control key central squares (d5, f5).
• Counter-attack vs King-side Storm: White often castles long and storms with g4-g5, h4-h5; Black counters in the center with …d5 or on the queen-side with …b5, …b4, and heavy-piece pressure down the c-file.
• The …d5 Break: Black’s primary freeing move. Proper preparation (…a6, …Qc7, …Nc6, …Bd7, etc.) is critical before striking.
• Piece Placement: Dark-square bishop usually seeks …Be7 or …Bg7, while the light-square bishop often develops via …Be7 or …Bd6 after …e5. Knights maneuver toward critical outposts c5, e5, d4.
• Pawn Storm Timing: In the Keres/English Attacks both sides race on opposite wings; tempo and calculation trump static “rules.”

Critical Lines & Modern Trends

The following continuations define current theory:

• Keres Attack 6.g4: 6…h6 7.h4 (or 7.Rg1) Nc6 8.Rg1 d5!?
• English Attack 6.Be3: 6…a6 7.f3 b5 8.Qd2 Nbd7 with rapid …b4 or central …d5.
• Fischer-Sozin 6.Bc4: 6…Be7 7.Bb3 Nbd7 8.Qe2 O-O when …b5 or …Nc5 sparks counterplay.
• Advanced Scheveningen (with …a6 …b5 first): Frequently arises from Najdorf, reducing the bite of g4 lines.

Historical Perspective & Famous Games

• Max Euwe – Bogoljubov, Scheveningen 1923 — one of the earliest showcase games, giving its name to the system.
• Kasparov vs Karpov, World Championship 1985 (-G16) — Kasparov (Black) unleashed a fearless Scheveningen, surviving Karpov’s kingside initiative and eventually winning; the game is a classical demonstration of …d5 counterplay.
• Anand vs Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2006 — Topalov’s dynamic exchange sacrifice on c3 highlighted modern Scheveningen tactics.
• Nakamura vs Giri, Candidates 2020 — shows contemporary preparation in the English Attack move-order.

A compact illustrative miniature (Kasparov–Piket, Tilburg 1989) can be replayed here:

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Garry Kasparov once called the Scheveningen “my Swiss-army knife; it can do anything if you know when to open which blade.”
• Bobby Fischer popularized 6.Bc4 against the Scheveningen so successfully that many Black players migrated to the Najdorf (…a6) just to dodge it.
• In several languages the pawn duo on d6-e6 is nicknamed the “little center” (kleines Zentrum) contrasting with classical e- and d-pawns side-by-side on the fourth rank.
• Modern computers vindicate the Scheveningen: engines evaluate main lines as roughly equal despite seemingly dangerous-looking pawn storms.

Quick Reference Checklist for Players

• Know your poison: Choose a line vs. 6.g4.
• Memorize critical forcing sequences in the English Attack.
• Prepare the …d5 break—never rush it.
• Use flexible move-orders (Najdorf / Paulsen) to avoid heavy preparation.
• Stay alert tactically; many positions balance on a knife-edge.