Sicilian Defense: Open, Scheveningen Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6
In the Sicilian Scheveningen Black creates a 'small center' with the solid ...e6 and ...d6 moves. Classical development - ...Be7, ...0-0, etc - prepares later counterplay on the queenside or in the center.
Pros:
- A solid beginning but still an unbalanced game
- Learning Scheveningen structures is fundamental to understanding the Sicilian in general
- Unlike many Sicilians, Black develops relatively quickly
Cons:
- White gets the opportunity to attack sharply with 6.g4 - the Keres attack
- Less aggressive than the - related - Najdorf
- Black is less flexible about his development plan