Theoria
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Sicilian Defense

Bücker Variation

B27offbeat

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3h6
1,738 games51%45%

Sicilian Defense sideline in which Black spends a tempo on 2...h6 to control g5; a rare, offbeat choice that leaves White a slight edge.

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About the Bücker Variation

The Bücker Variation, 2...h6, is a rare sideline that spends a tempo on a rook-pawn move to deny White's pieces the g5-square. One idea is a Sveshnikov-type structure in which the pin Bg5 is unavailable, as in 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6. White most often answers 3. d4, with 3. Bc4 and 3. c3 the main alternatives, and the engine gives White a slight edge.

Popular continuations