The Sicilian Defence: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3... Ng4 arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Ng4 and falls under ECO code B39. With 140,342 Lichess games across all rating levels, it is a specialized opening choice.
History and Notable Players
It arises from the Sicilian Defence: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3... 6.Be3. Among the most prolific practitioners on the White side are Eduard Gufeld (8 games), Wolfgang Uhlmann (7 games), Vlastimil Jansa (7 games). On the Black side, notable exponents include Roman Hernandez (19 games), Lutz Espig (18 games), Bent Larsen (18 games).
Statistics
Based on 140,342 Lichess games across all rating levels:
- White wins: 44%
- Black wins: 46.8%
- Draws: 9.1%
Interestingly, Black scores well in this opening, suggesting it offers strong counterplay.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the opponent's kingside attack: In many Sicilian lines, White will castle queenside and push pawns toward your king. If you don't create counterplay on the queenside or in the center, White's attack will arrive first.
Practice on Chessiverse
The best way to learn the Sicilian Defence: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3... Ng4 is through practice. On Chessiverse, you can play chess against computer opponents from any opening or custom position. Our AI bots range from beginner to grandmaster level, each with unique playing styles — from aggressive attackers to solid defenders. Choose a bot that matches your rating and work your way up as you master the opening's key ideas.
