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Sicilian Defense

O'Kelly Variation, Maróczy Bind, Robatsch Line

B28positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3a6
  3. 3.c4d6
651 games51%44%

A Sicilian O'Kelly line in which Black answers White's early c4 with 3...d6, keeping a flexible setup against the Maróczy Bind structure.

Train it in Theoria

About the Robatsch Line

With 3...d6 Black stakes a claim to e5 and keeps the e- and knight moves in reserve, aiming for a compact, Hedgehog-style position behind the a6 and d6 pawns rather than committing to ...e6 or ...Nc6. White usually opens the center with 4. d4 or develops with 4. Nc3, and the engine gives White a slight edge on the strength of the extra space.

Popular continuations