Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation

The Classical Variation of the Sicilian is 5...Nc6, completing the setup of ...d6, ...Nf6 and ...Nc6 in the Open Sicilian. White now chooses between the Richter-Rauzer with Bg5, the Sozin with Bc4, and quieter setups, while Black keeps ...e6, ...e5 and ...g6 in reserve.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6
ECO
B56, B58
Engine
+0.34 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,515 games in our lichess sample
White scores
48.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 6.Bg5 is the Richter-Rauzer: it rules out ...g6 because Bxf6 would wreck Black's kingside pawns.
  • After Bg5, follow with Qd2 and long castling, then use f4 and the d-file against d6.
  • 6.Bc4 aims at f7 and e6; after ...e5, Nf5 hits d6 and the engine line trades bishop for knight on f5.
  • 6.Bb5 pins the c6 knight, and Bg5 next adds pressure to f6 and d5.

Black

  • Against Bg5, play ...e6, ...a6 and ...Be7, then castle short or keep the king flexible.
  • Against Bc4, ...e5 kicks the d4 knight and takes space in the center.
  • Use ...a6 and ...b5 to start queenside play when White castles long.
  • Keep the c-file in mind for a rook and use ...Qb6 ideas against b2 and the d4 knight.

Plans and pawn structure

In the Richter-Rauzer, White castles long and attacks on the kingside, often after a trade on c6 that leaves Black with a c6 pawn and an open b-file. Black answers with ...a6, ...Be7 and play on the queenside. In the Sozin, the c4 bishop eyes e6 and f7, and Black meets it with ...e5 or ...e6 to blunt the diagonal. In every line the d5 square and the d6 pawn matter: White controls d5, Black guards d6 and waits for ...d5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.34: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.34 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.Nxc6 bxc6
  2. +0.33 6.Bc4 e5 7.Nf5 Bxf5 8.exf5 Qa5
  3. +0.16 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Bg5 Qb6 8.Bxf6 gxf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,515 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 48.5%.

under 120062.7%
1200–159950.8%
1600–199947.8%
2000 and up47.3%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Richter-Rauzer Variation6.Bg5 · 759 games
  • Classical Variation, Fianchetto Variation6.g3 · rare
  • Sozin Attack, Main Line, Sherbakov Variation6.Bc4 · rare
  • Classical Variation, Dragon Transfer6.Be2 · rare
  • Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation, Kantscher Line6.Bg5 · rare

How to play against it

With Black, know the Richter-Rauzer best: play ...e6 and ...a6, and do not let Bxf6 ruin your pawns for nothing. Against Bc4, ...e5 or ...Qb6 are the practical answers. With White, 6.Bg5 is the most testing choice and leads to opposite-side castling.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be2.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6. Its ECO code is B56, B58.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.34 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 2,515 lichess games from our sample, White scored 48.5%. A solid but sharp choice for Black, requiring knowledge of the Richter-Rauzer and Sozin.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation?

Black develops naturally with ...Nc6 and ...Nf6. White chooses between Bg5 and Bc4 setups, each with sharp attacking ideas.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Bg5, with Bc4 and Bb5 close behind. 6.Bg5 is the Richter-Rauzer, pinning the knight and stopping ...g6.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.