Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Knight Variation

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3

ECO B43

The Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Knight Variation is a chess opening line in the Sicilian Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3.

It is catalogued under code B43 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nc3 is chosen by White on move 5.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Attacking the Paulsen Sicilian 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.