Openings 1.e4 c5: the Sicilian
Sicilian Defense: Main Lines Explained with Stats by Rating
1...c5 fights for d4 from the side instead of copying White. The position becomes unbalanced from move one, which is why it is the most popular answer to 1.e4 among strong players.
B20Sicilian Defense
Games from this position (1600–1999): 780k
- 1.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52% | 406k | ||
| 9% | 70k | ||
| 9% | 70k | ||
| 8% | 62k | ||
| 8% | 59k | ||
| 6% | 49k | ||
| 2% | 16k | ||
| 1% | 9,492 | ||
| 1% | 9,151 | ||
| 1.0% | 7,793 | ||
| 0.5% | 4,130 | ||
| 0.5% | 3,948 |
Plans for both sides
White
- 2.Nf3 and 3.d4 is the Open Sicilian: more space and attacking chances, but a lot of theory.
- 2.c3 (Alapin), 2.Nc3 (Closed) and 3.Bb5 (Rossolimo, Moscow) are anti-Sicilians: they avoid the theory and still give a good game.
- In the Open Sicilian White often castles long and pushes the kingside pawns.
Black
- After 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 you have a central pawn majority and the half-open c-file.
- Choose one system against the Open Sicilian (...d6, ...Nc6 or ...e6) and learn its pawn structure.
- Counterplay comes on the queenside: ...a6, ...b5 and pressure on c3.
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Sicilian Defense at each rating
How often the position after 1.e4 c5 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 125k4.1% | 2.Nf339% | |
| 1200–1599 | 457k7.7% | 2.Nf348% | |
| 1600–1999 | 780k12.2% | 2.Nf352% | |
| 2000+ | 326k16.0% | 2.Nf360% | |
| All | 1.7M9.7% | 2.Nf352% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
The gateway to the Najdorf (5...a6), Dragon (5...g6) and Classical (5...Nc6).
74k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 47%, 6% were drawn, Black won 47%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3The most common second move. After 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 it leads to the Sveshnikov, the Accelerated Dragon or the Classical.
396k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 5% were drawn, Black won 47%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6Black keeps ...d5 in reserve. After 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 come the Kan (4...a6) and the Taimanov (4...Nc6), each with its own guide.
175k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 47%, 5% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6White avoids the Open Sicilian and often takes on c6 to damage Black’s pawns. The Rossolimo has its own guide.
56k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 50%, 5% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5White prepares d4 to get a full center. Black answers 2...d5 or 2...Nf6.
112k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 5% were drawn, Black won 46%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.c3A slow kingside build-up with g3, Bg2, f4 and Nf3. The Closed Sicilian has its own guide.
158k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 5% were drawn, Black won 47%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3A waiting move: after 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 White’s knight has no b5 square. At 2000+ White prefers 3.c3 or 3.c4.
22k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 5% were drawn, Black won 47%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6Black invites 3.e5. After 3...Nd5 4.Nc3 White gains space and Black must be precise.
375 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 53%, 7% were drawn, Black won 40%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nc3White gives the b-pawn to pull Black’s c-pawn away from d4. Most players take it: 2...cxb4.
17k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 4% were drawn, Black won 47%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.b4Very common at low ratings. 2...e6 blunts the bishop and prepares ...d5.
171k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 46%, 4% were drawn, Black won 50%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Bc4
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At club level
Below 2000 a large share of Sicilians are not Open Sicilians at all: White plays 2.Bc4, 2.Nc3, 2.c3 or 2.d4 gambits. Use the table above to see which ones your opponents actually play before you learn 20 moves of Najdorf.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.
Related openings
- Closed Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3
- Alapin Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.c3
- Smith-Morra Gambit
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3
- Rossolimo Attack
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
- Sicilian Najdorf
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
- Sicilian Taimanov
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6