Sicilian Defence, Scheveningen Variation

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

In the opening of a game of chess, the Scheveningen Variation 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.

White has several different attacking schemes available, but the one considered most dangerous is the Keres attack, 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. Black usually continues with 6...h6 when 7.g5 hxg5 8.Bxg5 Nc6 9.Qd2 Qb6 10.Nb3 a6 11.0-0-0 Bd7 12.h4 gives White a slightly superior position, with which he tends to score better in practice. 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.

Another very popular variation is the Classical, 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.

The modern approach is the so-called "English Attack", 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 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.

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.