Theoria
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Sicilian Defense

O'Kelly Variation, Normal System, Zagorovsky Line

B28offbeatpositional

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3a6
  3. 3.d4cxd4
  4. 4.Qxd4
1,497 games46%50%

Sicilian O'Kelly line where White recaptures 4. Qxd4, centralizing the queen early at the risk of losing time to ...Nc6; roughly balanced.

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About the Zagorovsky Line

The Zagorovsky Line is White's recapture 4. Qxd4 in the Normal System of the O'Kelly Variation. It centralizes the queen at once instead of retaking with the knight. The early queen is a target, and 4...Nc6, developing with gain of time, is by far the most common reply. 4...Nf6 and 4...d6 are the main alternatives. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, and Black scores slightly better than White in online games.

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