Pin Variation, Koch Variation
- 1.e4c5
- 2.Nf3e6
- 3.d4cxd4
- 4.Nxd4Nf6
- 5.Nc3Bb4
- 6.e5
1,272 games
Sharp Sicilian Pin Variation line where 6. e5 drives away Black's f6-knight to exploit the weakened kingside dark squares.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Koch Variation
White answers the pin with 6. e5, gaining space and evicting the f6-knight to target the dark squares left bare by ...Bb4. The usual retreat 6...Nd5 allows 7. Bd2 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Be7 9. Qg4, when Black must choose between 9...g6 and castling into Bh6, which costs the exchange. The rarer 6...Ne4, met by 7. Qg4, scores better for Black in Lichess games, while 6...Bxc3+ is seldom seen. Engines assess White as slightly better.