Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 e6 7.Be2 Qc7 8.O-O Nc6

ECO B85

The Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Classical Variation, Paulsen Variation is a chess opening line in the Sicilian Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 e6 7.Be2 Qc7 8.O-O Nc6.

It is catalogued under code B85 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nc6 is chosen by Black on move 8.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Najdorf 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.