Black's 2...d6 gives them the option of several popular attacking lines, controls the e5 square, supports the c-pawn and activates their queen's bishop.

White's rationale for playing 2. Nf3 was to support a 3. d4 advance which they may now play. Their best alternative to this, for rapid development, is 3. Bb5+, forcing Black to block the check with a minor piece that would then be pinned to the king. Swashbuckling players might be tempted by 3. b4, planning an unopposed d4 when the Black c-pawn is diverted to b4.

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

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6

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Wikipedia has related information at Sicilian Defence

• Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.

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