1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 6.Be3 opens the Sicilian Defense: Closed (6.Be3), ECO B26. Across rating levels it shows up in 281,786 recorded games — enough data to map exactly where it succeeds and where it stalls.
History and Notable Players
It arises from the Sicilian Defense: Closed. On the White side, Alexander Krapivin (41 games), Berthold Bartsch (40 games), Attila Parkanyi (40 games) top the database. Notable Black exponents: Peter 1 Horvath (9 games), Gabor Pinter (9 games), Elisabeth Paehtz (8 games).
Performance Across Rating Levels
How well the Sicilian Defense: Closed (6.Be3) works depends on what level you're playing at. At 1200 Elo, the opening shows up in 0.00% of games (1,390 samples). White scores 47.1%, Black 49.2%, draws 3.7%. By 1800, popularity is 0.01% and White's score is 53.1% to Black's 42.5%. At the top end (2500+ Elo), popularity is 0.07% with 8.8% draws — a clear sign of how much theory rules the line at master level. Positions also become less sharp as level rises (sharpness 0.96 → 0.91).
Move Diversity and Theory Depth
Looking at move selection shows how forcing — or not — the position really is. At 1200 Elo, the top reply is Nf6, played 59.9% of the time. There are 3 other moves seeing meaningful share, and 77.6% of games stick to established theory. Entropy: 2.22. By 2500, Rb8 dominates at 25.7% of replies; only 5 viable alternatives remain and 67.5% of moves are theory. Entropy drops to 2.60. Even elite players don't fully agree on the best continuation here, which keeps the position dynamic.
Common Mistakes
- Neglecting development — Extra pawn moves in the opening are tempting, especially when you "know the moves". Developing a piece each turn is the simple correction.
- Ignoring the kingside attack — In sharp Sicilian lines, White typically castles long and pushes the h-pawn. Without your own counterplay on the queenside or in the centre, White's attack lands first.
Practice on Chessiverse
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