Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6

Sicilian with 2...Nc6 B30 Sicilian defence → 2. Nf3 2...Nc6 Black develops the knight to its natural square c6, where it controls the centre. This move is sometimes called the old Sicilian. Black forestalls a decision on a pawn move for a little longer: if they get to play ...d5 in one move later, they will have saved a tempo by not playing 2...d6. 3. d4 continues with the open Sicilian plan to open the position. After 3...cxd4 4. Nxd4, the most common lines include 4...g6, the accelerated dragon, 4...e5, the Kalashnikov, or 4...Nf6 5. Nc3 where 5...e5 is the Sveshnikov and 5...d6 is known as the classical Sicilian. 3. Bb5 is the Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo attack, and is the major side line to the open Sicilian. 3. Nc3 is a waiting move. White usually intends their knight for c3 eventually: by playing it now White waits to open the centre with d4 until they have more information about how Black intends to play. However, Black can capitalise on the hesitation with 3...e5, and White won't be able to get in d4 after all. 3. c3 is a delayed Alapin variation (1. e4 c5 2. c3), preparing to build a big centre. 3. d3 intends to play in a closed manner after all, with g3 and Bg2. 3. Bc4?!, a delayed Bowdler attack (1. e4 c5 2. Bc4?!), is a common club level sideline. This is not a critical line as Black can alleviate the bishop's pressure on f7 with ...e6. Theory table all 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 + Open Sicilian(leading to Sveshnikov) 3. ... ... 4. ... ... 5. ... d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 Classical variation + 3. ... ... 4. ... g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Be2 d6 Accelerated dragon + 3. ... ... 4. ... e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 b5 8. Nd5 Nge7 Kalashnikov variation + 3. ... ... 4. ... e6 5. - Taimanov variation(by transposition) 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. e5 Nd5 7. Nc3 Nc7 8. Bxc6 dxc6 Rossolimo attack + 3. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 c4 7. Bc2 Qc7 8. Qe2 g5 Delayed Alapin + 3. Bc4 e6 4. O-O a6 5. Re1 b5 6. Bf1 Bb7 7. c3 Nf6 8. d4 cxd4 Delayed Bowlder attack + 3. b4 cxb4 4. d4 Portsmouth gambit 3. a3 g6 Delayed Mengarini gambit References See also Sicilian Defence fi:Shakkiaapinen/Peli/1. e4/1...c5/2. Rf3/2...Rc6