Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack

The Sozin Attack is 6.Bc4 against the Scheveningen setup, aiming the bishop at e6 and the f7 square. White plans Bb3, Be3 and kingside play, while Black wants ...a6 and ...b5 to chase the bishop and gain queenside space.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bc4
ECO
B86
Engine
+0.10 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
932 games in our lichess sample
White scores
47.3%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Drop the bishop to b3 early so ...Nxe4 tricks and ...d5 breaks do not come with tempo.
  • Develop with Be3 and Qe2, then castle long or push g4 against the king.
  • Prepare f4 and f5 to attack the e6 pawn; the b3 bishop backs the push.

Black

  • Play ...a6 and ...b5 to hit the bishop and put ...Bb7 against e4.
  • Castle short behind ...Be7 and answer quiet play with ...Nc6 and ...e5.
  • Keep e6 well protected: once f5 is possible, the d5 square must stay covered by pieces.

Plans and pawn structure

The bishop on c4 or b3 points at e6, so White's main lever is f4 and f5 to pressure that pawn and open the f-file. Black counters with ...a6, ...b5 and ...Bb7, hitting e4 when the bishop leaves it. If White castles long, both sides push pawns: g4 and g5 for White, ...b4 for Black. Black's ...Nc6 and ...e5 can also shut the bishop out and grab central space.

Where the engine's main line heads: Scheveningen small center: Black pawns d6 and e6. The Scheveningen small center: Black pawns on d6 and e6 cover the central squares and wait for the right moment to break with ...d5 or ...e5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.10: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.10 6...a6 7.Be3 b5 8.Bb3 Be7 9.a3
  2. +0.28 6...Be7 7.Bb3 O-O 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Qe2
  3. +0.37 6...Qc7 7.Bb3 a6 8.g4 h6 9.Qe2

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

932 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.3%.

1200–159946.2%
1600–199949.1%
2000 and up46.0%

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

How to play against it

As Black, start with 6...a6 and follow with ...b5 to gain time on the bishop. Do not leave e6 under-defended once f5 is possible. Keep your king safe before opening the center with ...d5. Answer Bb3 with ...Be7 and short castling.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack?

The Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bc4. Its ECO code is B86.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.10 at depth 20, which is level. In 932 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.3%. A sharp attacking line for White players who like f4 and f5 breaks, and Black needs to time ...b5 well.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack?

White puts the bishop on c4 and then b3 to target e6 and f7. Black answers with ...a6 and ...b5 to chase the bishop and build queenside counterplay.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is a6, with Be7 and Qc7 close behind. 6...a6 prepares ...b5 to kick the bishop and gain queenside space at once.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.