Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, American Attack

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Ndb5 Bb4 7.Nd6+

ECO B45

The Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, American Attack is a chess opening line in the Sicilian Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Ndb5 Bb4 7.Nd6+.

It is catalogued under code B45 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nd6+ is chosen by White on move 7.

The Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation, American Attack is a line of the Sicilian Defense. The Sicilian Defense is a chess opening that begins 1.e4 c5. Read the complete Sicilian Defense guide: what it is, how to reach it, its main variations, how to play against it, and its history.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Beat the rare ...e6 Sicilians course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.