Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Fischer Variation (B88)

The Sozin Attack, Fischer Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B88. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. f4, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine moves. Black has castled while White’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.

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.

Related Sicilian Defense lines

• Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation
• Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation
• Sozin Attack
• Sozin Attack, Flank Variation
• Sozin Attack, Leonhardt Variation
• Sozin Attack, Main Line
• Sozin Attack, Main Line, Sherbakov Variation
• Velimirovic Attack
• Wing Gambit, Marienbad Variation
• Wing Gambit, Nanu Gambit
• Wing Gambit, Romanian Defense
• Coles Sicilian Gambit

See all 238 Sicilian Defense variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Sozin Attack, Fischer Variation?

The Sozin Attack, Fischer Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. f4. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B88.

What is the ECO code for the Sozin Attack, Fischer Variation?

The Sozin Attack, Fischer Variation is ECO B88. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.

Is the Sozin Attack, Fischer Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. f4 at +0.26 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.

What kind of position does the Sozin Attack, Fischer Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.