Sicilian Defense: English Variation, 2...Nc6

Sicilian Defense: English Variation, 2…Nc6

Definition

“Sicilian Defense: English Variation, 2…Nc6” is an opening family that begins with the symmetrical move-order 1. c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6. Although the position arises from the English Opening (1.c4), Chess literature classifies it under the Sicilian because the pawn structure and typical piece placement mirror a Sicilian Defense with colors reversed; White, however, enjoys an extra tempo. The code most often associated with the line is ECO A33–A35.

Typical Move Order

The variation is flexible; common continuations include:

• 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 – a Reversed Open Sicilian; White keeps the initiative of the extra move.
• 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.g3 g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 – the Symmetrical English, Fianchetto System.
• 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nc3 e6 followed by …d6 and …a6 – a Reversed Hedgehog.

How It Is Used in Practical Play

Players choose 2…Nc6 to create a fully symmetrical position while keeping plenty of central tension. From Black’s perspective the move:

• Develops a piece to its natural square, eyeing d4 and e5.
• Avoids the sharpest Anti-Sicilian attempts because the e-pawn is still on e7, giving Black greater latitude than in 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 proper.
• Invites White either to transpose to an Open Sicilian (with a tempo up) or to maneuver in quieter English-type formations.

For White, the line is a way to fight for the initiative without entering the vast, concrete theory of the mainline Sicilian. The extra tempo is used to grab space (d4, e4) or to build a long-term squeeze via the fianchetto on g2.

Strategic Themes

1. Central Tension. Early …c5 and …Nc6 put direct pressure on the d4-square. White must decide whether to break the symmetry with d4 or to keep a slow build-up.
2. Reversed Sicilian Ideas. Plans familiar to Sicilian players (the Hedgehog, the Maroczy Bind, the Four Knights) appear with colors flipped. Accurate evaluation often hinges on correctly accounting for the missing tempo.
3. Minor-Piece Battles. In symmetrical structures, trading the right pieces—in particular the g2-bishop vs. g7-bishop or the knight pair—can tilt the balance because pawn breaks (d4, b4, e4) become more or less potent.

Historical Notes

The 2…Nc6 Symmetrical English was popularized in the 1960s by Soviet grandmasters such as Sergei Makarychev and Evgeny Sveshnikov, both of whom enjoyed playing the Sicilian proper and saw the “tempo-up” version as a practical winning try with White. Anatoly Karpov used it repeatedly against Garry Kasparov in their 1984 and 1985 World Championship matches, leading to several highly instructive Hedgehog endgames.

Illustrative Example

The following miniature highlights a typical central break:

Notice how White’s extra tempo enabled an immediate 12.e5!, seizing space and opening lines before Black could complete development.

Sample Plans for Each Side

• White: Choose between a Maroczy-Bind approach (c4–e4–c5 clamp), a kingside expansion with e4–f4–f5, or a slow Hedgehog squeeze with Rc1, a3, h3, and g4.
• Black: Aim for …d5 or …b5 pawn breaks, generate counterplay with minor-piece exchanges that ease cramped space, or transpose to Hedgehog setups (…e6, …d6, …a6, …b6) waiting for the right moment to strike.

Famous Games to Explore

• Karpov v Kasparov, Moscow (WCh) Game 10 1984 – instructive Hedgehog where Karpov’s space advantage became decisive.
• Carlsen v Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2013 – Carlsen uses a subtle regrouping in a symmetrical English to outmaneuver Anand.
• Nakamura v Caruana, London 2015 – a sharp d4 break leads to imbalanced pawn structures and a dynamic middlegame.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The opening is sometimes called the “Reversed Sveshnikov” when White plays e4 early, echoing the famous Sicilian Sveshnikov set-up with colors switched.
• Because the initial structure is 100 % symmetrical, computer engines evaluate the starting position at almost +0.20 for White—tiny, but noticeably more than the +0.00 of a truly equal position—showing the tangible value of the extra tempo.
• Magnus Carlsen scored his very first Classical victory over a reigning World Champion (Vladimir Kramnik, Dortmund 2007) in this line, nursing a small edge in a Hedgehog and converting it flawlessly.

Summary

Sicilian Defense: English Variation, 2…Nc6 is a sound, strategically rich choice that trades the hand-to-hand theory of mainstream Sicilians for maneuvering battles where understanding plans outweighs memorizing moves. Whether you play it as White to exploit the tempo, or as Black to keep the position flexible and familiar, the variation offers a lifetime of subtle, instructive positions.