Sicilian Defense, Scheveningen Variation

The Scheveningen arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6. Algebraic notation uses letters for pieces and coordinates for squares. Black's pawns on d6 and e6 form a small but resilient center, while the f6-knight pressures e4.

Black gives up some early space to keep a compact structure that creates no serious immediate weakness. The plan is to finish development and then challenge the center with ...d5, or create play on the queenside, the side where the queen begins, with ...a6 and ...b5. Counterplay means making active threats of one’s own rather than only answering the opponent’s threats.

White can choose anything from quiet development to a rapid pawn attack against Black’s king. The Keres Attack, beginning with g4, tries to drive away the f6-knight and open lines before Black is ready. The timing of castling, the special move involving the king and a rook, and the preparation of ...d5 are therefore central decisions for Black.

The Scheveningen center allows 6.g4 before Black castles

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StartNf6Nc3e6g4

4...Nf6 attacks e4 and develops the piece that White will try to drive away in the Keres Attack.

The Scheveningen forms after the Open Sicilian

The move order first pressures e4 and then completes the compact center with ...e6.

1. 4...Nf6 attacks e4 and develops the piece that White will try to drive away in the Keres Attack.
2. 5.Nc3 protects e4 and controls d5, a key square for Black's future break.
3. 5...e6 completes the small center with the d6-pawn and defines the Scheveningen structure.

The same structure can arise through move orders related to the Taimanov. Compared with the Classical Sicilian, the visible difference is that Black's e-pawn has already advanced to e6.