Puzzles from the Sicilian Defense
Rating 1048White to move. Find the best move.
Puzzle
White to move. Find the best move.
Your move.
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5 of 5 free puzzles left today
Opening
Sicilian Defense
Black answers 1. e4 with 1... c5 and fights for the d4 square from the side instead of copying White. It is the most popular reply to 1. e4 and leads to sharp, unbalanced games.
- 1. e4 c5
- Chosen by Black
- 40,763 puzzles
- Average rating 1440
The position after 1. e4 c5
What Sicilian Defense puzzles look like
Counted from 40,763 puzzlesThe fork is the most common tactic in Sicilian Defense puzzles, in 15% of them. 27% end in checkmate. The average puzzle rating is 1440.
Most common tactics
Ideas in the Sicilian Defense
- An extra centre pawnAfter White plays d4 and Black takes, Black keeps two central pawns against one. That matters in the endgame.
- The half-open c-fileBlack’s rook and queen use the c-file to press on c2 and c3.
- White attacks firstWhite usually gets faster development and play on the kingside. Black has to defend accurately before the counterattack works.