Sicilian Defense: Closed Variation
ECO B23-B26intermediate
In the Closed Sicilian White plays 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3, holding back d4 and instead deploying g3, Bg2, d3 and f4. The center stays locked while both sides attack on opposite wings: White rolls forward with f4-f5 and a kingside pawn storm, Black expands with ...b5 and ...Rb8 on the queenside. Spassky used it as a deadly attacking weapon, and it remains one of the easiest anti-Sicilians to learn because plans matter far more than memorized moves.
Main line
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Bc4 e6 5.Nge2 a6 6.Nxd4 cxd4 7.Ne2 b5
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 62 | 51.6% | 8.1% | 40.3% | 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 |
| 600-800 | 59 | 62.7% | 0% | 37.3% | 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 |
| 800-1000 | 334 | 47.6% | 2.7% | 49.7% | 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 |
| 1000-1200 | 86 | 43% | 4.7% | 52.3% | 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 |
| 1200-1400 | 44 | 52.3% | 2.3% | 45.5% | 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Bc4 |
Most played continuations (800-1000 rating)
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5:
- a6 — played 24.3% of the time (White wins 45.7%, draws 6.2%, Black wins 48.2%)
- g6 — played 15.6% of the time (White wins 50%, draws 0%, Black wins 50%)
- e6 — played 14.1% of the time (White wins 44.7%, draws 2.1%, Black wins 53.2%)
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
Who should play the Closed Sicilian?
Players who want a system against the Sicilian with minimal theory and a built-in attacking plan. The same setup works against nearly every Black arrangement, and the f4-f5 lever generates a real initiative even against accurate defense.
How should Black meet the Closed Sicilian?
The standard recipe is a mirror fianchetto: ...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6, ...e6 with ...Nge7, racing on the queenside with ...b5 and ...b4 to hit the c3 knight before White's kingside attack matures. Timing the ...f5 counter-break is the other key resource.
Learn the Sicilian Defense: Closed Variation for free
Interactive move-by-move training, ELO-calibrated sparring bots that actually play these lines, and spaced-repetition reviews. No installs, free to start.