1.e4 — the open games
Closed Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3ECO B23–B26
White sidesteps the mountains of Open Sicilian theory, fianchettoes on g2 and plays a King's-Indian-Attack-style build-up with f4 and a kingside push. A system opening: plans over memorisation.
Key ideas
- g3, Bg2, d3, f4 and Nf3 — the same setup against most Black replies, aiming for a kingside attack.
- Black expands on the queenside with …a6, …Rb8 and …b5; it becomes a race on opposite wings.
- The point is to play chess, not theory — understanding the pawn breaks matters more than move orders.
Who it suits
1.e4 players who want to avoid Open Sicilian theory and play a plan they know cold.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Closed Sicilian move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer