Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...cxd4/4. Nxd4/4...Nf6/5. Nc3/5...e6

Scheveningen Variation
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkb1r/pp3ppp/3ppn2/8/3NP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKB1R w
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6

Scheveningen Variation

5... e6, building a so-called "small center", is the signature move of the Scheveningen Variation of the Sicilian Defence. 5... e6 strengthens Black's control of the important d5 square and opens e7 for the development of his dark-squared bishop. If Black is able to safely play ... d5 later on, he will have a good position.

In contrast to the Najdorf Variation, 5... a6, the Scheveningen commits Black earlier to a certain pawn structure in the center and delays queenside operations, but does more to promote Black's early development and castling. Both systems are considered very solid choices for Black, however 5... a6 has been played by even the best Scheveningen specialists (including Garry Kasparov) to avoid the dangerous Keres Attack, 5... e6 6. g4! (Although by no means winning for White, statistics sharply favour the white pieces.)

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6

	6	7	8	9
English Attack	Be3 a6	f3 b5	g4 Bb7	Qd2 Nfd7	+=/=
Classical	Be2 Nc6	O-O Be7	Be3 O-O	f4 a6	=
Keres Attack	g4 h6	h4 Nc6	Rg1 d5	Bb5 Bd7	+/=
	g3 Be7	Bg2 O-O	O-O a6	b3 Qc7	=
	f4 Nc6	Be3 Be7	Qf3 Qc7	Bd3 a6	=
	Bc4 Be7	Bb3 O-O	O-O Na6	f4 Nc5	=

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

• Sicilian English Attack JeremySilman.com