Classical Variation

With 5...Nc6 Black completes the classical setup of ...d6, ...Nf6 and ...Nc6, putting the queen's knight to work before deciding where the king's bishop belongs. The same position arises from 2...Nc6 and 5...d6, and players choose between the move orders partly to sidestep particular anti-Sicilians; 2...d6, for instance, rules out the Rossolimo with 3. Bb5. Black keeps options open: ...e6 heads for Scheveningen-type structures, ...e5 claims the center, and ...g6 leads to Dragon formations.

White's bishop moves define the main branches. 6. Bg5, the Richter-Rauzer, threatens Bxf6 to double Black's pawns and makes 6...g6 unplayable; after 6...e6 the Rauzer plan of 7. Qd2 and 8. O-O-O prepares a kingside advance with f4. 6. Bc4, the Sozin Attack, is usually met by 6...e6, while 6...Qb6 is the Anti-Sozin. 6. Be2 is quieter and permits the Boleslavsky, 6...e5, or the Dragon Transfer, 6...Nxd4 7. Qxd4 g6. Online, 6. Be3 is the most frequent choice, with 6. Bc4 and 6. Bg5 close behind. Results are nearly even, and the engine gives White a slight edge.