The Sicilian Variation is a variation of the King's Indian Attack, catalogued as ECO A08. The line runs 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O e6 5. d3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
On the King's Indian Attack generally: ECO A05. A chess opening with 18 known variations.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 6 King's Indian Attack variations →
The Sicilian Variation goes 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O e6 5. d3. It is a variation of the King's Indian Attack and is catalogued as ECO A08.
The Sicilian Variation is ECO A08. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the King's Indian Attack.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. O-O e6 5. d3 at -0.01 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.