Modern Variations

With 2...d6 Black supports the c5-pawn, frees the c8-h3 diagonal for the light-squared bishop and, above all, takes control of e5. This means a later ...Nf6 can hit the e4-pawn without being driven away by e4-e5. It is the standard modern way of handling the Sicilian and one of the most frequently reached named positions. Results are almost exactly even and the engine sees White with only a minimal edge.

About half of all games continue 3. d4, and the Main Line runs 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6. The knight attacks e4, so 5. Nc3 is practically forced, and it also stops White from setting up c3. Black then chooses a system: the Najdorf with 5...a6, the Classical with 5...Nc6, or the Dragon with 5...g6. The Ginsberg Gambit, 5. Bc4, leaves e4 unprotected. White can also refuse to recapture on d4 with 3. d4 cxd4 4. c3, the Tartakower, offering the pawn for development. Black sometimes delays the exchange with 3. d4 Nf6, the Anti-Qxd4 Move Order, which pressures e4 before capturing. White can then grab the c-pawn with 4. dxc5, but Black answers 4...Nxe4.

The most common alternatives keep the center closed for now. 3. Bc4 is a delayed Bowdler Attack and the second most popular choice. It is regarded as imprecise because ...e6 blunts the bishop's pressure on f7, and Black scores a little better than White after it. 3. Bb5+, the Moscow Variation, develops with check and prepares castling. Black usually blocks with 3...Bd7, offering to trade the bishops, or 3...Nd7, and White keeps the option of d4 later. 3. Nc3 is flexible: 3...Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 transposes to open lines, but White may instead set up in Closed Sicilian fashion with g3 and Bg2.

With 3. c3, the Delayed Alapin, White aims for a two-pawn center. The inclusion of ...d6 gives the play its own character. Black nearly always replies 3...Nf6, because the c3-pawn takes the queen's knight's natural square, leaving e4 short of defenders. The pawn is protected only tactically for the moment: 4. Be2 Nxe4?? 5. Qa4+ wins the knight. White still needs to cover e4 before d4 is possible. Rarer tries include 3. b4, a deferred Wing Gambit. Its point is 3...cxb4 4. d4, when White has some compensation, though the b4-pawn can be a nuisance. 3. Bd3, the Kopec System, is another rare option.