Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Sicilian Defense

O'Kelly Variation, Venice System, Ljubojevic Line

B28offbeatpositional

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3a6
  3. 3.c3b5
818 games49%47%

A Sicilian O'Kelly line in which Black answers 3. c3 with 3...b5, expanding on the queenside and aiming the bishop at e4 in St. George style.

Train it in Theoria

About the Ljubojevic Line

The Ljubojevic Line meets the Alapin-style 3. c3 with 3...b5. The move gains queenside space and prepares ...Bb7 to bear down on e4, usually followed by ...e6. This setup can transpose into the St. George line of the French Defense. White nearly always replies 4. d4 to claim the center. The rarer 4. a4 strikes at the b5-pawn at once and has scored well. The engine gives White a slight edge, but practical results are close to even.

Popular continuations