Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation, Koch Variation

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.e5

ECO B40

The Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation, Koch Variation is a chess opening line in the Sicilian Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.e5.

It is catalogued under code B40 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move e5 is chosen by White on move 6.

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.