How to Play the Sicilian Scheveningen
The solid, fighting Sicilian used by Kasparov, Anand, and Tal. Black builds a flexible small center with pawns on d6 and e6 — then strikes with queenside counterplay while White attacks the kingside. No sharp memorization required to get started.
TL;DR — Quick Answer
- Moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6
- Black's idea: Build a solid small center (d6+e6), then counterattack on the queenside with ...a6 and ...b5 while watching White's e4-e5 advance
- Key structure: Pawns on c5, d6, e6 — flexible, no immediate weaknesses, long-term ...d5 break as liberation
- Main White systems: Keres Attack (6.g4), English Attack (6.Be3), Classical (6.Be2), Fischer-Sozin (6.Bc4)
- Best for: Players who want a solid, principled Sicilian without the extreme theory demands of the Najdorf — and who enjoy queenside counterplay and structural chess
What Is the Sicilian Scheveningen?
The Sicilian Scheveningen arises after:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 e6
The first four moves are standard Open Sicilian theory. The Scheveningen begins on move 5: instead of the Najdorf's 5...a6, the Dragon's 5...g6, or the Classical's 5...Nc6, Black plays the solid central move 5...e6.
The opening is named after Scheveningen, a seaside resort town near The Hague in the Netherlands, where the variation was prominently played in a famous 1923 tournament. It gained lasting popularity in the 1950s–70s through players like Mikhail Tal and Paul Keres, and was adopted by Garry Kasparov in his early career as a solid, reliable Sicilian system before he transitioned primarily to the Najdorf.
Viswanathan Anand is perhaps the Scheveningen's greatest modern practitioner — he played it extensively against Karpov and Kasparov in World Championship matches, demonstrating its deep strategic resource against the best players in the world. The Scheveningen is considered particularly well-suited for solid, positional players who prefer structural chess over the raw theoretical memorization demanded by the Najdorf.
White's Main Systems — Four Key Approaches
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6, White must choose a system. Each creates a fundamentally different game:
Keres Attack
6.g4
The sharpest and most aggressive White response, invented by Estonian grandmaster Paul Keres in 1943. White immediately advances g4 before Black can play ...a6 or develop naturally, threatening g4-g5 to kick the Nf6 and ruin Black's kingside. Black's best response is 6...h6 — preventing g5 and forcing White to either push or overextend. After 7.g5 hxg5 8.Bxg5, White has a lead in development and attacking chances; Black has extra material (the pawn) and must counterattack with ...Nc6 and ...d5. The Keres Attack demands that Black know specific defensive resources. Without preparation, it is easy for Black to collapse quickly.
English Attack
6.Be3 f3
The most popular modern system. White plays 6.Be3, and after 6...a6 (the Scheveningen-Najdorf move order blend), White continues 7.f3 and 8.Qd2, building a kingside attack with g4-g5. This is essentially the English Attack from the Najdorf transposed one move later — Black has played ...e6 instead of 5...a6, but the plans are nearly identical. Black's primary response is the immediate queenside counterattack with ...b5-b4, hitting White's knight on c3 and opening lines before White's kingside storm arrives. Both kings often castle queenside in the sharpest lines, leading to wild mutual attacks that are decided by calculation and preparation.
Classical Scheveningen
6.Be2
The traditional positional approach. White develops carefully with 6.Be2, castles kingside, and then advances f4 to launch a central attack with f4-f5 or e5. Black mirrors this solid approach: 6...Be7, castle, and develop normally with ...Nc6 or ...a6 and ...b5. The Classical Scheveningen is the best starting point for beginners — it teaches the core Scheveningen structures (the small center with d6+e6, the bishop on e7, the d5 break as Black's dream) without requiring memorized theory. Kasparov used this setup extensively in his early career, understanding it deeply before adopting the Najdorf as his main weapon.
Fischer-Sozin Attack
6.Bc4
White develops the bishop aggressively to c4, targeting the f7 pawn just as in the Najdorf version. After 6...Bd7 7.Bb3, White prepares a direct kingside attack with f4-f5 or a queenside castle and battery on the d-file. The bishop on b3 is powerful — it supports e4-e5 pawn breaks and targets f7 from afar. Black can respond with 6...Nc6, challenging the center, or 6...Bd7, planning ...Nc6 and ...a6. The Fischer-Sozin creates sharp tactical battles where the pressure on f7 and the e5 advance are constant themes. Less popular than the English Attack today but still dangerous, especially for players who haven't studied it carefully.
Where to start: Learn the Classical Variation (6.Be2) first — it teaches the core Scheveningen structure without dangerous attacking theory. Once you handle Classical positions confidently, add the English Attack (6.Be3). Prepare the Keres Attack (6.g4) separately — or avoid it entirely by playing the Najdorf move order (5...a6 first).
The Keres Attack — What Happens and How to Respond
The Keres Attack (6.g4) is the most dangerous surprise weapon against the Scheveningen:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6
6. g4 h6
7. g5 hxg5 8. Bxg5
After 6.g4, Black's best response is 6...h6 — firmly stopping g4-g5 and asking White to commit. If White pushes anyway (7.g5 hxg5 8.Bxg5), Black has captured a pawn and White must prove attacking compensation.
The alternative 6...Nc6 is also playable — Black develops and challenges d4, ignoring the g4 thrust. After 7.g5 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Nd7, Black has broken White's central control at the cost of some development time. These positions are highly theoretical and favor White if Black does not know the defensive resources.
- TipThe easiest way to avoid the Keres Attack entirely is to play the Najdorf move order: 5...a6 before 5...e6. After 5...a6, 6.g4 is far less effective because Black already has the ...b5 option and the a6 pawn provides useful queenside support. Many Scheveningen players adopt this approach once they learn the structure.
After 8.Bxg5 Nc6 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Qd2
White has a development lead; Black has an extra pawn and potentially strong counterplay. Black's plan: develop the dark-squared bishop (6.Be2 or ...Be7), secure the king, and defend the extra g5 pawn while gradually coordinating. White must show concrete compensation for the pawn or the material advantage tells over time. Highly concrete — both sides must calculate carefully from here.
Key Strategic Themes
Master these four concepts and you can navigate any Scheveningen position regardless of how much theory you know:
The small center (d6 + e6) — flexibility at a cost
The Scheveningen's defining feature is Black's pawn formation: pawns on c5, d6, and e6. This 'small center' gives Black a solid, unbreakable structure — there are no targets, no immediate weaknesses. The e6 pawn controls d5 and f5, preventing White's pieces from using those squares. But the structure has a cost: it is slightly passive. Black does not occupy the center with pawns, so White has more central space. The key to playing the Scheveningen is accepting this space disadvantage temporarily and counterattacking with ...a6, ...b5, ...Nc6, and eventually the liberating ...d5 break that equalizes or even gains the advantage.
The e4-e5 pawn thrust — White's constant threat
White's main strategic threat in every Scheveningen system is the e4-e5 advance. If White plays e4-e5 and Black responds dxe5, White recaptures with a piece and gains a significant space advantage — the d6 square becomes weak, White's pieces pour in, and Black's cramped position often collapses. Black must prevent e5 constantly. This means maintaining the d6 pawn firmly, placing a knight on f6 to counter e5 directly (Nf6xe5 or Nf6xd5 after the pawn advance), and sometimes playing ...Nbd7 rather than ...Nc6 to keep the d5 square available for the knight. Understanding the e4-e5 threat is the single most important positional concept in the Scheveningen.
Queenside counterplay — the ...b5 break
While White prepares e4-e5 or a kingside pawn storm, Black's best counterplay is on the queenside. After playing ...a6 (which prepares ...b5 and prevents White's Nb5), Black advances ...b5-b4, gaining space and attacking White's c3 knight. The further push ...b4-b3 or piece activity on the newly opened b-file creates concrete threats against White's queenside. In the English Attack, this queenside counterattack must arrive before White's g4-g5 storm — one of the most important timing decisions in Scheveningen theory. Players who know how to conduct the ...b5-b4 advance will win many Scheveningen games purely through queenside pressure.
The d5 break — Black's ultimate liberating move
Black's long-term strategic dream in the Scheveningen is the pawn break ...d5. If Black can successfully play ...d5 in one move (without it being recaptured advantageously by White), the whole position opens up in Black's favor: the c5 pawn is freed, the d-file is contested, and Black's bishops gain power. But ...d5 is rarely possible immediately — White will often counter with e5, cxd5, or Nxd5. Black must prepare it carefully: place the knight on c6, put the bishop on e7 or b7, support the d5 square with the queen, and only then push. In the Classical Scheveningen especially, the timing of ...d5 is the central strategic calculation. Get it right and Black equalizes or better; misjudge and White gains a permanent advantage.
Scheveningen vs Other Sicilian Variations
The Scheveningen is one of four main Sicilian variations. Here is how it compares:
Scheveningen vs Najdorf Variation
The Najdorf (5...a6) is closely related — both create similar pawn structures (d6+e6 in many lines), and most Scheveningen games today are actually reached via the Najdorf move order (5...a6 6.Be3 e6). The difference: Najdorf's 5...a6 prevents Nb5/Bb5+ and enables ...b5 more quickly at the cost of one tempo. Scheveningen's 5...e6 commits to the central structure immediately but risks the Keres Attack (6.g4). Choose the Scheveningen if you want a calmer introduction to the Sicilian; choose the Najdorf once you understand the structures deeply.
Scheveningen vs Dragon Variation
The Dragon (5...g6) is the fianchetto counterpart to the Scheveningen's solid central approach. The Dragon's g7 bishop is its most powerful piece — it radiates down the long diagonal and creates direct attacking threats. The Scheveningen's bishop on e7 is more modest but the overall structure is more flexible. Dragon games tend to be more explosive (especially against the Yugoslav Attack); Scheveningen games tend to be deeper and more positional. Players who want sharp, tactical Sicilian games often prefer the Dragon; those who enjoy structural chess prefer the Scheveningen.
Scheveningen vs Other Sicilian Systems
The Taimanov (4...Nc6), Kan (4...a6), and Sveshnikov (5...e5) are all less theoretically demanding than the Scheveningen's sharpest lines (especially the Keres Attack). The Kan especially is a natural stepping stone — Black plays ...a6 early and can enter Scheveningen-like structures without facing the 6.g4 problem. If you find the Keres Attack overwhelming, spend time on the Kan first, then return to the Scheveningen with the move order knowledge to avoid 6.g4.
How to Learn the Scheveningen (Step by Step)
- Understand the small center concept first. Before memorizing any Scheveningen moves, play 10 games without preparation — just place pawns on d6 and e6 after the standard Sicilian opening, develop naturally, and observe what happens. Notice: what does White try with e4-e5? Where does your ...b5 counterplay go? How does the ...d5 break feel when it's good vs when it's wrong? This intuition is worth more than any book.
- Start with the Classical Variation (6.Be2). Play 6...Be7, castle kingside, then develop with ...Nc6 or ...a6 and ...b5. Focus on understanding when White's f4-f5 is a threat and how to prevent e4-e5. Study model games by Kasparov in his early career — he has dozens of beautiful Classical Scheveningen victories that teach the key ideas.
- Prepare the Keres Attack (6.g4) specifically. Know the response 6...h6 cold before playing the Scheveningen competitively. If you don't want to study it, switch to the Najdorf move order (5...a6 before 5...e6) — 6.g4 becomes much less dangerous after 5...a6. Either way, have a plan ready.
- Analyze every Scheveningen game without cost. The Scheveningen's positional depth means every game has subtle turning points: was the ...d5 break timed correctly? Was ...b5 premature? Did you prevent e4-e5 effectively? Export your PGN after every game and use chess.rodeo — full Stockfish analysis, no account required, no paywall. Identifying the moment your ...d5 break was possible but missed is the fastest way to improve your Scheveningen play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sicilian Scheveningen?
The Sicilian Scheveningen is a chess opening for Black: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6. The defining feature is the “small center” — Black builds a flexible pawn structure with pawns on c5, d6, and e6. It is named after a Dutch town and has been played by Kasparov, Anand, Tal, and many world champions. It is considered one of the most solid and reliable Sicilian systems for Black.
What is the difference between the Scheveningen and the Najdorf?
The main practical difference is the Keres Attack. In the Scheveningen (5...e6), White can play 6.g4 immediately and launch a dangerous attack. In the Najdorf (5...a6), Black plays ...a6 first, and 6.g4 is less effective because the a6 pawn already helps Black's queenside. The structural ideas are nearly identical — both feature d6+e6 pawn setups in many lines. Most players who master the Scheveningen eventually transition to the Najdorf move order.
What is the Keres Attack?
The Keres Attack (6.g4) is White's most aggressive response to the Scheveningen, immediately advancing the g-pawn to threaten g4-g5 and kick Black's Nf6. Black must play 6...h6 to stop g5 or face a dangerous attack. It is named after Estonian grandmaster Paul Keres who introduced it in 1943. The easiest way to avoid it is to play 5...a6 (Najdorf) before 5...e6 — after 5...a6, 6.g4 is far weaker.
Is the Scheveningen good for beginners?
Yes — the Classical Scheveningen (6.Be2) is excellent for beginners who want a solid Sicilian. The structure teaches fundamental concepts: the small center, preventing e4-e5, conducting queenside counterplay with ...a6 and ...b5. Start there and avoid the Keres Attack lines until you have a plan ready. Players around 1200–1600 can get good results from the Classical Scheveningen without heavy theory memorization.
Analyze your Scheveningen games — free, no account
Export your PGN and use chess.rodeo for full Stockfish analysis. See exactly when ...d5 was possible, whether your ...b5 timing was right, and how to handle White's e4-e5 threat — no account, no paywall.