The Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B85. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f4 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. O-O Nc6, reaching the position shown below after 16 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after eight moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
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 Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f4 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. O-O Nc6. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B85.
The Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation is ECO B85. 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. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f4 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. O-O Nc6 at +0.33 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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 three minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.