Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5

ECO B33

The Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation is a chess opening line in the Sicilian Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5.

It is catalogued under code B33 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move e5 is chosen by Black on move 5.

5 named continuations branch from this position, including the Bird Variation and the Exchange Variation.

Named variations

• Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Bird Variation — ECO B33
• Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Exchange Variation — ECO B33
• Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Retreat Variation — ECO B33
• Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Schlechter Variation — ECO B33
• Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation — ECO B33

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Beat the Sveshnikov 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.