Closed Sicilian is a strategical opening that often leads to a slow kingside attack by White. Black usually fights for counterplay on the queenside. Much less played than the main line 2. Nf3, this opening is a good alternative against Sicilian experts.

• 2...Nc6: Most of the time in the Sicilian, White puts their Knight on c3. White may yet play d4, but for the moment the question is yet to be answered. White's second move suggests the possibility of NOT playing d4 (avoiding the exchange), and playing a closed position instead of the slashing, attacking types of positions that are common to the Open Sicilian. Often leads to 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6.

• 2...e6: Black usually follows up with g6 and d5.

• 2...e5: Known as the Severino Defence, this allows White's bishop unobstructed view of the f7-square. Also, 2...e5 creates a hole in Black's pawn structure at d5: The chance of Black being allowed to play ...d5 is remote.

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3

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Wikipedia has related information at Sicilian Defence

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.