The Closed, Carlsen Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B23. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Sicilian Defense generally: The most popular and aggressive response to 1.e4. Black fights for the center asymmetrically, leading to rich tactical play.
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The Closed, Carlsen Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B23.
The Closed, Carlsen Variation is ECO B23. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd2 at +0.15 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.