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The Scheveningen Variation is one of the most popular variations in the Sicilian Defense. It can come about a few different ways but the main line is:
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 e6
This is a variation popularized by Garry Kasparov and has since been played by many GMs. It gives black a solid defense while being flexible until white commits to a strategy.
There are a few common ways that white will respond when met with the Scheveningen Variation. The first is the Keres Attack (6. g4). This is the most aggressive line from white and starts to put pressure on black’s king side of the board. Because the pawn on e6 blocks the bishop for black, they must find a different way to defend against the king side attack.
Another common variation for white is the Classical Variation (6. Be2). It’s not as aggressive but it develops a minor piece and then waits to see how black will continue.
Other popular responses for white include the English Attack (6. Bc4) and the Tal Variation (6. f4)
If you would like to learn more about each of these variations be sure to watch the video below.
