Closed Sicilian
You play White · 10 variations
Mixed practice
The machine picks a different variation every time.
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10 positions: find the next theory move in each. No take-backs, no hints.
Main variations · 5
- Closed, Botvinnik Defense, Edge VariationB251. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. f4 e5 7. Nh3 Nge77 moves
- Closed, Botvinnik Defense, with Nge2B251. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. Nge2 e56 moves
- Closed, Smyslov VariationB241. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 e6 6. Be3 Nd4 7. Nce27 moves
- Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, Kharlov-Kramnik LineB301. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 d6 6. Nd2 Bg56 moves
- Closed, Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, with Nf6B301. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 Nf65 moves
Other variations · 5
- ClosedB261. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. Be36 moves
- Closed, Carlsen VariationB231. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd25 moves
- Closed, Portland AttackB231. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. d3 g6 4. g44 moves
- Closed, Korchnoi DefenseB231. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. g3 d53 moves
- Closed, Grob AttackB231. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g43 moves
What is the Closed Sicilian?
The Closed Sicilian starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3, usually followed by g3, Bg2 and d3. The classical position comes after 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6. White does not open the center with d4; instead the pieces prepare a slow kingside attack, often with f4 and f5, while Black expands on the queenside. The character is closed and manoeuvring, with each side playing on its own wing. It is a respected anti-Sicilian and a good choice if you want to avoid Open Sicilian theory and get a middlegame based on plans.
Main ideas and plans
White has two main set-ups. In the first, you play Be3, Qd2 and Bh6 to trade Black's strong bishop on g7, then f4 and kingside play. In the second, you play f4, Nf3 or Nge2, castle, and push f5 to open lines against Black's king. Black usually counters with ...Rb8, ...b5 and ...b4 to chase the c3 knight, or with ...e6 and ...Nge7. In the Botvinnik Defense Black clamps d4 with ...e5 and ...Nge7: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.f4 e5. Then d5 becomes a hole you can use with Nd5, and the Edge Variation with Nh3 keeps the f4 and f5 ideas alive. In the Smyslov Variation Black puts a knight on d4, and you often challenge it with Nce2.
Black can also avoid the main structure. The Korchnoi Defense, 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.g3 d5, hits the center at once. The Grob Attack and the Portland Attack use g4 for a quicker kingside push. The Anti-Sveshnikov Variation, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Bc4, is a related idea against Sveshnikov players: White aims at d5 and keeps the center closed. The Carlsen Variation, with d4 and Qxd4 after an early ...d6, is a more open option to keep in mind.
Who is it for?
The Closed Sicilian suits patient players who like to attack on the kingside without memorising long forcing lines. It needs a good feel for timing: Black's queenside play is fast, so your attack must be ready in time. The risk is that a slow set-up gives Black a comfortable game if you just shuffle pieces. Learn the Be3, Qd2 and Bh6 plan first, and understand when the f4-f5 push is strong, since that break is the heart of White's attack.