Watch
Step 1 · The bargain
White to move
rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/2p5/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 2White plays d4 and Black takes it with the c-pawn: a wing pawn for a centre pawn. Black now has two centre pawns, d6 and e7, against White’s one on e4, and the c-file is half-open for a rook. White has more space and gets the pieces out faster. Both sides got something, and the fight is on.
The line: 2.Ng1-f3 d7-d6 3.d2-d4 c5xd4 4.Nf3xd4
Decide
Step 2 · Spot the losing reply
Black to move
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/3p4/2p5/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 3White has just played d4.
One of these replies loses two moves. Which?
Quick check
- Knight to c6
- Take: …cxd4
- Knight to f6
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: Knight to c6 — Yes: …Nc6? d5! kicks the knight straight back to b8. Two moves lost, and a white pawn on d5 cramps you. When d4 comes, take it.
- Take: …cxd4 — …cxd4 is the right move: the bargain, taken.
- Knight to f6 — …Nf6 is fine too: it hits e4 first, and after Nc3 the exchange on d4 comes anyway.
Your move
Step 3 · Play the bargain
Black to move
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/3p4/2p5/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 3Now play it.
Hint: White played d4. Take it with the c-pawn.
The move: 3…c5xd4
3…cxd4. Wing pawn for centre pawn, and the c-file is yours. This is the move the Sicilian is built on.
Also good here
3…Ng8-f6— Also fine: …Nf6 hits e4 first; after Nc3 you take on d4 next move.
Why not another move?
3…Nb8-c6— …Nc6? d5! and the knight goes back to b8. Two moves lost. What follows:4.d4-d53…e7-e5— …e5? dxe5 dxe5 Qxd8+ Kxd8 Nxe5: a pawn gone and your king stuck in the centre. What follows:4.d4xe53…Bc8-g4— …Bg4? dxc5! and taking back costs time: …Qa5+ Nc3 Qxc5 Be3 and White is far ahead in development. What follows:4.d4xc5
Watch
Step 4 · The knight takes back
White to move
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/3p4/8/3pP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 4White takes back with the knight. Count the centre: Black has d6 and e7 against e4. The c-file is half-open for Black, the d-file half-open for White.
The reply: 4.Nf3xd4
Your move
Step 5 · Develop with a threat
Black to move
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/3p4/8/3NP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 4The trade is done. Develop, and make the move do something.
Hint: Develop a piece so that it attacks something.
The move: 4…Ng8-f6
4…Nf6. Develops and attacks e4: White must answer with Nc3, and Black has gained a move. In the Sicilian, development comes with threats.
Also good here
4…Nb8-c6— Also fine: …Nc6 develops toward d4; …Nf6 with the threat on e4 is slightly more precise.
Why not another move?
4…e7-e5— Playable, but Bb5+ forces …Nd7 or …Bd7 first, and the knight goes to f5 with d5 a hole for the rest of the game. What follows:5.Bf1-b54…g7-g6— Playable, the Dragon, but it develops nothing yet: …Nf6 with a threat on e4 first.4…a7-a6— A useful move later; right now it develops nothing and threatens nothing.
Decide
Step 6 · What did Black get?
Black to move
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/3p4/8/3NP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 4Same board, one question.
What did Black get from the exchange on d4?
Quick check
- A half-open c-file and two centre pawns against one
- A pawn
- A misplaced white knight on d4
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: A half-open c-file and two centre pawns against one — Yes. The rook will use the c-file, and the d6 and e7 pawns outnumber e4 in the centre. That is the Sicilian’s long-term asset, paid for with White’s lead in development.
- A pawn — No: pawns are level. The c-pawn went for the d-pawn.
- A misplaced white knight on d4 — The knight on d4 is well placed, not misplaced. Black’s gain is the file and the centre pawns, and it takes time to cash.
On your own
Step 7 · On your own
Black to move
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/3p4/8/3QP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNB1KB1R b KQkq - 0 4This time White took back with the queen. It stands in the centre early. Develop with a threat.
Hint: The queen is exposed in the centre. Develop a piece that attacks it.
The move: 4…Nb8-c6
4…Nc6. The queen is attacked and must move again: a free developing move for Black. A queen that comes out early is a target, not a threat.
Also good here
4…Ng8-f6— Also fine: …Nf6 hits e4; the queen gets hit next move.4…Bc8-d7— Also fine: …Bd7 first prevents Bb5, then …Nc6 with a gain of time.
Why not another move?
4…a7-a6— Playable, but it prevents Bb5 at the cost of a whole move: the queen is the target, hit it.4…e7-e5— Playable, but it chases the queen to d3, where it is comfortable, and leaves d5 weak for good.
A quick refresher
In the app this position is not part of the lesson itself: it comes back later, as a review, to check that the idea stuck.
Your move
Same moment, other move order
Black to move
r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/2p5/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 3A different Sicilian, same moment: White has played d4.
Hint: d4 is offered. Take it with the c-pawn.
The move: 3…c5xd4
3…cxd4. The bargain again. Nxd4 follows, and …Nf6 or …e5 comes with a plan.
Why not another move?
3…Nc6xd4— …Nxd4? Nxd4 cxd4 Qxd4 and the queen sits on d4 unchallenged: you traded off the knight that would have kicked it. What follows:4.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 5.Qd1xd43…e7-e5— …e5? dxe5 and the pawn is simply gone. What follows:4.d4xe53…d7-d6— …d6? d5! and the knight is pushed back to b8: two moves lost. What follows:4.d4-d53…Ng8-f6— …Nf6? e5! kicks the knight before it has done anything. What follows:4.e4-e5
What you learned
d4 must be taken. Then develop with threats: …Nf6 hits e4, …Nc6 hits a queen on d4.
In your next game
In the Sicilian, answer d4 with …cxd4 every time. After Nxd4 play …Nf6 to hit e4; after Qxd4 play …Nc6 to hit the queen. Put a rook on c8 as soon as it can be done.