Openings · By Chessschool

Sicilian Defence for beginners – why play 1…c5?

Understand the Sicilian Defence after 1.e4 c5. Explore the Open Sicilian and the Alapin with diagrams and practise explaining Black’s plan.

In brief

The Sicilian Defence begins with 1.e4 c5. Black’s c-pawn controls d4. If White later plays d4 and Black captures there, Black can trade a flank pawn for a central pawn.

Explore the position step by step

After 1…c5, Black controls d4. The arrow shows the pawn’s attack. White to move.

Open Sicilian. After 4.Nxd4, White has a central knight and Black has a half-open c-file.

Alapin. The c3-pawn supports d4. Black to move.

The Open Sicilian

Replay 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4. White has an active knight on d4. Black still has both central pawns and may use the half-open c-file later. A natural developing move is 4…Nf6, attacking e4. White can defend the pawn with 5.Nc3.

White prepares d4 with 2.c3

After 2.c3, White can support d4 with a pawn. This is the Alapin. One reply is 2…d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4. Black has challenged the centre immediately. White has pawns on c3 and d4, but the knight on b1 cannot use c3 for now.

Try it yourself

Which central square does Black’s pawn attack after 1…c5?

Show the explanation

d4. A black pawn on c5 captures diagonally towards b4 or d4.