Sicilian Two Knights

The Sicilian Two Knights arises after 1. Nc3 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4. The name comes from Eric Schiller. By choosing 2. Nf3 rather than 2. e4, White declines the transposition to the Closed Sicilian. The cost is that Black may answer 2...d5 instead of 2...Nc6. Once White trades the d-pawn for Black's c-pawn, the result is an Open Sicilian with the c- and d-files half-open. White's e-pawn has not yet moved, so there is no e4 target for Black's pieces to attack. White also keeps the choice of advancing that pawn one square or two.

Black is to move. The most common reply is 4...g6, a kingside fianchetto in the spirit of the Accelerated Dragon. Next come 4...Nf6 and 4...e5, which drives the d4-knight away at the cost of a backward d-pawn. The engine rates the position as a slight edge for White. In online play Black has scored somewhat better, and 4...Nf6 has given Black the best results of the main replies. The line is a modest sideline of an already uncommon opening.