The Sicilian Defense meets 1. with : your c-pawn watches d4 from the side, and when your opponent pushes the d-pawn to d4, you trade it off. You come out with two central pawns against one and a half-open c-file. Rated 900 to 1700, you score 50.1% with it (N = 2,331,565 Lichess games, September 2026).
Lichess games from September 2026 (30,577,162 rated 900 to 1700) and 31,791 over-the-board games rated 2300+ from the last 12 months. Data updated: October 14, 2026.
327 named lines in this family; 8 with their own page.
The opening's share in each Lichess rating band.
After 1. , 47 opponents in 100 at your level play 2., 15 bring the bishop out with 2. and 9 push 2.. Among strong online players, 2. climbs to 67 in 100, with 2. next at 13. After 2., the most common reply at your level is , in 50 games out of 100. Strong players prefer , in 39 out of 100, ahead of at 29 and at 22.
| Move | Lichess 900–1700 | White's score | Online, 2200+ | Over the board, 2300+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47.2% | 50.4% | 67.2% | 86.8% | |
| 15.3% | 48.5% | no data | no data | |
| 9.2% | 50.0% | 5.5% | 0.7% | |
| 7.8% | 50.0% | 12.7% | 6.4% | |
| 5.6% | 52.1% | 7.2% | 5.0% | |
| 4.2% | 50.0% | 1.1% | no data | |
| no data | no data | 1.0% | no data | |
| no data | no data | no data | 0.2% | |
| no data | no data | no data | 0.2% |
| Move | Lichess 900–1700 | White's score | Online, 2200+ | Over the board, 2300+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49.6% | 50.6% | 29.0% | 24.2% | |
| 24.1% | 49.9% | 39.1% | 48.2% | |
| 16.2% | 49.4% | 22.0% | 22.6% | |
| 4.4% | 49.4% | 5.4% | 2.7% | |
| 2.5% | 50.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% | |
| 0.9% | 53.5% | 1.2% | 0.8% |
| Move | Lichess 900–1700 | White's score | Online, 2200+ | Over the board, 2300+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38.4% | 50.6% | 69.6% | 70.7% | |
| 27.9% | 48.9% | 3.1% | 3.0% | |
| 10.0% | 49.3% | 4.2% | 3.6% | |
| 9.3% | 52.8% | 6.5% | 2.1% | |
| 6.0% | 50.0% | 13.1% | 20.7% | |
| 1.6% | 47.2% | 0.9% | no data |
| Move | Lichess 900–1700 | White's score | Online, 2200+ | Over the board, 2300+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90.4% | 49.9% | 97.6% | 98.2% | |
| 2.3% | 58.4% | 0.0% | no data | |
| 2.3% | 53.9% | 2.3% | 1.8% | |
| 1.1% | 58.0% | no data | no data | |
| 1.1% | 57.3% | no data | no data | |
| 0.6% | 54.2% | no data | no data | |
| no data | no data | 0.0% | no data | |
| no data | no data | 0.0% | no data |
| Move | Lichess 900–1700 | White's score | Online, 2200+ | Over the board, 2300+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84.4% | 50.0% | 90.6% | 95.0% | |
| 9.5% | 50.2% | 7.4% | 5.0% | |
| 2.6% | 51.3% | 1.6% | no data | |
| 1.9% | 47.5% | 0.2% | no data | |
| 0.9% | 42.4% | no data | no data | |
| 0.5% | 47.5% | 0.2% | no data | |
| no data | no data | 0.0% | no data |
The strong players' line runs 2. 3. 4. 5. . Everything turns on one trade: your c-pawn for your opponent's d-pawn. After 4., your opponent has only the e4 pawn left in the centre, while you keep two, your d- and e-pawns. Your rooks also get the half-open c-file, and theirs get the d-file.
covers d4 without putting a pawn in the centre. So when 3. arrives, there is nothing to defend: you just take. Strong players do it in 98 online games out of 100, and at your level 90 do.
comes before the knight because the d6 pawn controls e5. Once you play , the e4 pawn cannot advance to e5 to kick the knight, since you would take it.
attacks e4, which no piece guards at that moment, and 5. covers it while developing. Then keeps the f1 bishop and the knights on c3 and d4 off b5. That move gives you the Najdorf; play instead and you are in the Dragon. Both have their own pages.
At your level the sequence goes off track early. After , only 38 opponents in 100 open up with 3., against 70 in 100 strong online players, and another 28 go 3.. Then there is no trade on d4, but your c5 pawn still covers the square: to get the d-pawn there, your opponent first has to back it with c3, the idea behind the Alapin.
Your side drifts too. After 4., only 54 players in 100 at your level hit e4 with , against 96 in 100 strong players. Without that attack, your opponent has nothing to defend and can develop at their own pace.
| Move | Strong games | Chosen by |
|---|---|---|
| 280,096 | 67.6% | |
| 190,867 | 39.3% | |
| 75,046 | 69.6% | |
| 52,265 | 97.6% | |
| 51,284 | 90.8% | |
| 46,559 | 96.4% | |
| 44,823 | 94.1% | |
| 44,262 | 65.6% |
A mistake. After 2., leaves the d4 pawn alone, and your opponent pushes it. 3. kicks the knight back with , and after 4. 5. they have pawns on d5, e4 and f4 while your knight has spent two moves going home. Play . You score 44.4 against 51.3.
6 in 100 play it in this position. It gives away 1.8 pawns of advantage. It scores 44.4%; scores 51.3%.
A mistake. After 3., fails to take on d4, and the pawn marches at your knight: 4. 5. 6. . The d6 pawn takes c7 and e7 from you, your knight sits on the rim, and your f8 bishop can only capture it by giving itself up to the queen. Play . You score 43.6 against 49.3.
6 in 100 play it in this position. It gives away 2.1 pawns of advantage. It scores 43.6%; scores 49.3%.
A mistake. After 3., reaches the previous mistake's position by another move order. Then 4. 5. 6. : the e5 pawn props up d6, which leaves your f8 bishop with no safe square. Play . At your level 8 in 100 choose it, and you score 45 against 50.8.
8 in 100 play it in this position. It gives away 2.1 pawns of advantage. It scores 45.0%; scores 50.8%.
A mistake. After 2., skips the trade, and 3. swaps pawns. Recapture with and your opponent can swap queens with check, costing you castling, so the queen takes back instead: 4. 5. . Three queen moves while your opponent develops. Play . You score 43.8 against 51.3.
3 in 100 play it in this position. It gives away 1.2 pawns of advantage. It scores 43.8%; scores 51.3%.
An inaccuracy, but one that costs you at this level. 3. prepares 4. so a pawn can recapture, and does nothing about it. After 4. 5. 6. , your knight retreats and blocks the f8 bishop. Play , hitting e4 at once. 18 in 100 at your level go wrong here; you score 45.8 against 50.4.
18 in 100 play it in this position. It gives away 0.6 pawns of advantage. It scores 45.8%; scores 50.4%.
A mistake. After 3., pins the f3 knight to the queen, but only your king guards f7. Then 4. 5. 6. : the knight jumps out with check, the queen picks up the bishop, and you are a pawn down with no castling. Play . You score 46.6 against 52.
3 in 100 play it in this position. It gives away 2.4 pawns of advantage. It scores 46.6%; scores 52.0%.
| White | Black | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 1,228,668 | ||
| Not castled | 371,539 | |
| Not castled | Not castled | 232,425 |
| 162,017 | ||
| Not castled | 158,979 | |
| 76,650 |
| White | Black | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 3,251 | ||
| 815 | ||
| Not castled | 529 | |
| Not castled | 432 | |
| Not castled | Not castled | 232 |
| Not castled | 188 |
1. 2.
159,513 amateur games · 308 over the board
2. guards e4 with the knight and keeps the d-pawn at home.
1. 2.
123,119 amateur games · 30 over the board
Meet 2. with ; if 3. follows, your opponent is offering a pawn.
1. 2.
118,167 amateur games · 264 over the board
2. prepares d4 so a pawn can recapture. Here you score 47.6 in 100.
1. 2. 3. 4.
43,984 amateur games · 162 over the board
prepares the bishop on g7 before your d-pawn has moved.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
21,789 amateur games · 1,075 over the board
keeps both knights and the f1 bishop off b5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
18,152 amateur games · 102 over the board
readies the bishop for g7, on the long diagonal running through d4.
1. 2. 3. 4.
9,471 amateur games · 84 over the board
4. recaptures with the queen, and hits her with tempo.
1. 2. · 341,338 amateur games · 1 over the board
2. eyes f7; a pawn on e6 cuts off the diagonal. You score 51.5 in 100.
1. 2. · 272,467 amateur games · 90 over the board
puts the knight on watch over d4 and e5 before you commit your pawns.
1. 2. · 129,030 amateur games · 191 over the board
controls e5 and prepares the knight on f6.
1. 2. · 123,654 amateur games · 217 over the board
watches d5 and opens the diagonal for your f8 bishop.
1. 2. · 94,807 amateur games · 6 over the board
2. has the f-pawn covering e5 and g5 from the start.
1. 2. 3. · 74,737 amateur games · 15 over the board
After , 3. opens the centre; leaves you two central pawns.
1. 2. 3. · 69,762 amateur games · 625 over the board
3. hits your c6 knight and threatens to leave you doubled c-pawns.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · 48,812 amateur games · 235 over the board
After , no knight can hit your queen from c3, because the pawn sits there.
1. 2. 3. 4. · 47,609 amateur games · 334 over the board
challenges the d4 knight with your pawn already on e6.
1. 2. · 41,706 amateur games · 79 over the board
gets the bishop ready for g7, aiming at d4 down the long diagonal.
1. 2. 3. · 39,102 amateur games · 5 over the board
grabs the pawn and hands your opponent time to develop. You score 47.5 in 100.
1. 2. · 37,126 amateur games · 3 over the board
2. covers d5 with two pawns, but no white pawn can guard d4 anymore.
1. 2. 3. 4. · 30,849 amateur games · 8 over the board
kicks the d4 knight, but none of your pawns watches d5 after that.
1. 2. · 30,503 amateur games · 86 over the board
takes away b5 before you decide where your central pawns go.
1. 2. 3. · 18,262 amateur games
fails to take on d4, and 4. chases your knight. You score 44 in 100.
1. 2. 3. 4. · 16,023 amateur games · 265 over the board
keeps the d4 knight and the f1 bishop off b5.
1. 2. 3. · 15,745 amateur games · 496 over the board
3. gives check; block with or .
1. 2. 3. · 13,780 amateur games
hits e4 without trading on d4 first, while your king still sits on e8.
1. 2. · 13,370 amateur games
2. prepares b4 to go after your c5 pawn.
1. 2. · 13,072 amateur games · 8 over the board
2. offers the b-pawn to lure your c5 pawn away from d4.
1. 2. 3. · 12,802 amateur games · 20 over the board
After 2. , 3. pushes the f-pawn before the g1 knight comes out.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · 11,596 amateur games · 152 over the board
kicks the d4 knight and leaves d5 as a weak square in your camp.
1. 2. · 11,221 amateur games · 38 over the board
attacks e4, but 3. kicks the knight straight away.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · 9,408 amateur games · 83 over the board
develops the knight and leans on the one on d4.
1. 2. · 9,006 amateur games · 5 over the board
2. prepares 3., bringing the bishop out on the long diagonal.
1. 2. · 8,947 amateur games · 10 over the board
2. readies the bishop for g2 and holds back the d-pawn.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · 8,395 amateur games · 162 over the board
attacks e4, which only the c3 knight defends. You score 52.6 in 100.
1. 2. 3. · 8,324 amateur games
keeps the tension on d4 and lets your opponent decide the centre.
1. 2. · 6,900 amateur games
leaves d5 with no pawn of yours to guard it.
1. 2. 3. · 6,598 amateur games · 25 over the board
adds the bishop to your c5 pawn against d4.
1. 2. · 5,822 amateur games · 1 over the board
prepares the bishop on b7, aiming at e4 down the long diagonal.
1. 2. 3. 4. · 5,774 amateur games · 2 over the board
goes after the d4 knight with the bishop.
1. 2. 3. · 5,176 amateur games · 8 over the board
3. trains two pawns on d5 before the centre opens.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · 4,627 amateur games · 98 over the board
completes the small d6–e6 centre, covering c5, d5, e5 and f5.
1. 2. 3. · 4,367 amateur games
After , 3. develops and leaves the d4 pawn for later.
1. 2. 3. · 3,632 amateur games
declines the gambit and defends your d4 pawn. You score 52.1 in 100.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. · 3,152 amateur games · 34 over the board
6. points the bishop at your e6 pawn. Here you score 53.3 in 100.
1. 2. · B20
2,636 amateur games · White's score: 51.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. · B32
2,583 amateur games · White's score: 49.1%
1. 2. 3. 4. · B40
2,408 amateur games · White's score: 51.7%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · B32
2,127 amateur games · White's score: 51.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · B40
1,853 amateur games · White's score: 49.5%
1. 2. 3. · B21
1,634 amateur games · White's score: 49.5%
1. 2. · B27
1,561 amateur games · White's score: 52.6%
1. 2. 3. · B30
1,422 amateur games · White's score: 51.3%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. · B60
1,218 amateur games · White's score: 53.1%
1. 2. 3. 4. · B32
1,169 amateur games · White's score: 50.4%
1. 2. · B20
1,098 amateur games · White's score: 49.2%
1. 2. · B27
945 amateur games · White's score: 57.8%
1. 2. 3. · B21
923 amateur games · White's score: 48.3%
1. 2. 3. · B21
916 amateur games · White's score: 51.2%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · B54
901 amateur games · White's score: 49.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. · B32
878 amateur games · White's score: 51.3%
1. 2. · B27
866 amateur games · White's score: 53.5%
1. 2. · B27
833 amateur games · White's score: 62.5%
1. 2. · B20
758 amateur games · White's score: 45.1%
1. 2. 3. 4. · B40
714 amateur games · White's score: 45.6%
1. 2. 3. · B40
692 amateur games · White's score: 52.8%
1. 2. · B20
525 amateur games · White's score: 42.8%
1. 2. 3. · B50
486 amateur games · White's score: 47.7%
1. 2. · B20
417 amateur games · White's score: 33.1%
1. 2. · B20
384 amateur games · White's score: 34.0%
1. 2. · B20
372 amateur games · White's score: 38.8%
1. 2. 3. · B21
310 amateur games · White's score: 54.7%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · B56
288 amateur games · White's score: 50.0%
1. 2. · B27
242 amateur games · White's score: 61.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. · B60
223 amateur games · White's score: 50.2%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. · B56
219 amateur games · White's score: 58.9%
1. 2. 3. 4. · B20
207 amateur games · White's score: 50.5%
1. 2. · B20
184 amateur games · White's score: 29.1%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. · B40
184 amateur games · White's score: 45.1%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. · B58
172 amateur games · White's score: 50.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. · B62
152 amateur games · White's score: 51.3%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · B21
112 amateur games · White's score: 32.6%
1. 2. 3. · B20
92 amateur games · White's score: 44.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. · B57
77 amateur games · White's score: 70.1%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. · B63
72 amateur games · White's score: 64.6%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. · B60
61 amateur games · White's score: 54.9%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · B40
49 amateur games · White's score: 46.9%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. · B62
48 amateur games · White's score: 57.3%
1. 2. 3. 4. · B21
46 amateur games · White's score: 47.8%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. · B67
33 amateur games · White's score: 48.5%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. · B58
28 amateur games · White's score: 37.5%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. · B40
22 amateur games · White's score: 61.4%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. · B55
21 amateur games · White's score: 35.7%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. · B66
20 amateur games · White's score: 60.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. · B62
19 amateur games · White's score: 39.5%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. · B89
11 amateur games · White's score: 72.7%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. · B56
10 amateur games · White's score: 55.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. · B63
6 amateur games · White's score: 100.0%
1. 2. 3. · B27
2 amateur games · White's score: 0.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. · B20
2 amateur games · White's score: 50.0%
1. 2. 3. · B27
1 amateur game · White's score: 100.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. · B20
1 amateur game · White's score: 100.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. · B22
1 amateur game · White's score: 0.0%
1. 2. 3. · B50
1 amateur game · White's score: 100.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. · B63
1 amateur game · White's score: 100.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. · B63
1 amateur game · White's score: 50.0%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. · B69
1 amateur game · White's score: 0.0%
1. 2. 3. · B27
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. · B65
Trade your c-pawn for your opponent's d-pawn. After 2. 3. 4., you have two central pawns against one and a half-open c-file. The d6 pawn controls e5, so can attack e4 without being kicked, and your opponent usually defends it with 5..
The most common is 2., which 47 opponents in 100 at your level play. Another 15 go 2., the Bowdler Attack, where you score 51.5 in 100. After , only 38 in 100 open the centre with 3., against 70 strong players in 100, so the road to the Najdorf and the Dragon opens far less often for you.
It works if you remember one rule: when the d-pawn reaches d4, take it with your c-pawn. Leaving it there is the most common mistake on this page: after 2. you score 44.4, against 51.3 for . The Sicilian appears in 4 games in 100 between 900 and 1100, and in 10 between 1500 and 1700.