Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. d4/2...cxd4/3. Qxd4

Sicilian defence B21 Sicilian defence → 2...cxd4 3. Qxd4!? This move is not the best: though White regains the pawn, Black can harass White's queen with 3...Nc6. Black gets the initiative and nullifies White's first-turn advantage. However, 3. Qxd4!? Nc6 is not losing for White: at worst it is an even game, and the continuation 4. Qd3 has been occasionally explored as an anti-theory opening weapon.e.g. Chigaev vs Vakhidov, 2025. Chessgames.com History This line was first seen in the 1840s, when Sicilian defence theory was in its infancy. Howard Staunton explored this line against John Cochrane in a match series in 1842.Staunton v Cochrane, 1842. Chessgames.comStaunton v Cochrane, 1842. Chessgames.comStaunton v Cochrane, 1842. Chessgames.comStaunton v Cochrane, 1842. Chessgames.com References See also