Gaw-Paw Variation
- 1.e4c5
- 2.Nf3e6
- 3.d4cxd4
- 4.Nxd4Nf6
- 5.Nc3Qb6
185 games
A rare Sicilian sideline in which Black plays 5...Qb6 to pressure the d4-knight early, at the cost of an engine edge for White.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Gaw-Paw Variation
The Gaw-Paw Variation occurs in the 2...e6 Sicilian when Black answers 4...Nf6 5. Nc3 with 5...Qb6. The queen moves to the a7–g1 diagonal to pressure the knight on d4 before Black finishes developing. White's most frequent reply is the retreat 6. Nb3. The other main options are 6. Be3 and 6. e5, which attacks the f6-knight. The engine assesses the line as clearly better for White, yet Black has scored well in the few Lichess games that reach it.