Sicilian Defense · B24

Closed, Smyslov Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 e6 6. Be3 Nd4 7. Nce2

White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal and Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal. White skips d4 entirely, fianchettoes on g2, and plays for a slow kingside build-up while Black expands on the queenside.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... c5 Fights for d4 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Sicilian Defense.
• 2. Nc3 Develops the knight to c3, eyeing d5 and e4. It also props up the e4 pawn.
• 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Traditional.

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