Sicilian Defence, Scheveningen Variation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Sicilian Defence, Scheveningen Variation
Moves	1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6
ECO	B80-B89
Parent	Sicilian Defence
Chessgames.com opening explorer

In the opening of a game of chess, the Scheveningen Variation^[1] of the Sicilian Defence is one of Black's most ambitious lines in the Open Sicilian. Championed by Garry Kasparov, among many other distinguished Grandmasters, it offers excellent counterchances and considerable scope for creativity.

The diagram shows the basic position reached after

1. e4 c5

2. Nf3 d6

3. d4 cxd4

4. Nxd4 Nf6

5. Nc3 e6

The d6-e6 pawn center affords Black control of the critical d5 and e5 squares and retains flexibility to break in the center with either ...e5 or ...d5.

The Scheveningen Variation is a classically motivated defence which appreciates the advantages of an extra center pawn and a more compact structure. It has been at the forefront of modern tournament practice for many years, yet its complexities show no signs of being exhausted.

Contents 1 Keres Attack 2 Classical 3 Other Variations 4 English Attack 5 References

[edit] Keres Attack

White has several different attacking schemes available, but the one considered most dangerous is the Keres attack,^[2] named after notable GM Paul Keres, which continues 6.g4. This move takes advantage of the fact that 5...e6 cut off the Black Bishop's control of g4 and plans to force the knight on f6, Black's only developed piece, to retreat and force black into passivity. This also launches white into a king-side attack. Black usually continues with

6...h6

7.g5 hxg5

8.Bxg5 Nc6

9.Qd2 Qb6

10.Nb3 a6

11.0-0-0 Bd7

12.h4

gives White an equal game at best.

A stronger and more common try is

6...h6

7. h4 Nc6

8. Rg1 d5

9. Bb5 Bd7

10. exd5 Nxd5

11. Nxd5 exd5

12. Qe2+ Be7

13. Nf5 Bxf5

14. gxf5 Kf8

15. Be3 Qa5+

which may give White a slight edge. Still, the immediate g4 puts Black into a rather defensive and potentially dangerous position. For this reason, many advocates of this defense tend to play the Najdorf variation move order and then play 6...e6, transposing into the Scheveningen. This, however, gives White additional options, and g4 is still a possibility a move after.

[edit] Classical

Another very popular variation is the Classical,^[3] which is initiated with 6.Be2. Used to great effect by Anatoly Karpov, among other distinguished Grandmasters, this methodical approach has gained many followers. The main line continues

6...a6

7.0-0 Be7

8.Be3 0-0

9.f4 Nc6

10.a4 Qc7

11.Kh1

(The order of moves is not so significant). White's plans here are to build up a Kingside attack, typically by means of Be2-f3, g2-g4, Qd1-e1-h4, etc. Black will aim for a diversion on the Queenside via the semi-open c-file, or strike in the center. Positional pawn sacrifices abound for both sides and the theory is very highly developed, thanks to decades of research by top class players such as Viswanathan Anand, Veselin Topalov, Boris Gelfand and countless others.

[edit] Other Variations

Other notable attacks for white include the "Fischer Attack"^[4][5] which is initiated by 6.Bc4; the "Maroczy Variation"^[3] - Be2; and the "Tal Variation"^[6] - f4. The Fischer attack seeks to exert White pressure most directly on the d5 square. Viable Black responses in the center include variations of Nb8-c6-a5 or Nb8-d7-c5, supplemented by a7-a6 and b7-b5-b4 on the Queenside. A possible line is 6.Bc4 Be7 7.Bb3 O-O 8.Be3 Na6 (aiming for the c5 square; note that in case 8...Nbd7 then, 9.Bxe6!? fxe6 10.Nxe6 Qa5 11.Nxf8 Bxf8, and White sacrifices two pieces for a Rook) 9.Qe2 Nc5 10.f3. The ensuing position is balanced, with Black ready to counter White's g2-g4-g5 with a7-a6 and b7-b5-b4 on the other flank. The Maroczy Variation sees White adopting a more restrained line of play with 6.Be2. After 6...Be7 7.O-O Nc6 8.Kh1 O-O 9.f4 a6 10.Be3 Qc7, White enjoys a slight advantage in space as well as two stacked bishops on e2 and e3. Black must counter-attack on the Queenside, while White prepares f4-f5. Finally, in the Tal Variation, 6.f4 Nc6 7.Be3 Be7 8.Qf3, White seeks to castle Queenside placing its rook on the half-open d-file, and support the g-pawn's advance with the Queen.

[edit] English Attack

The currently fashionable approach is the so-called "English Attack",^[7] modeled after the Yugoslav(Rauzer) Attack in the Dragon Variation. White starts an aggressive pawn storm on the Kingside with f2-f3, g2-g4, h2-h4, and often g4-g5. White castles long and a very sharp game is often the result. Black, however, does not have to acquiesce to passive defense and has at least as many threats of his own. The main line continues 6.Be3 a6 7.f3 b5 8.g4 h6 9.Qd2 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 Bb7. White's plans are to force g4-g5 and open the Kingside files to his advantage. The first player may also exert considerable pressure on the d-file. Black will often consider an exchange sacrifice or at least a pawn sacrifice to open the Queenside files for the heavy pieces. Time is of the essence and new ideas are being discovered each year. Many elite players including Alexander Morozevich, Peter Leko, and Alexei Shirov pour many hours of study into this critical variation.

White has other minor tries for the advantage, including 6.f4 and 6.g3, but these moves are less difficult to meet.

[edit] References