Sicilian Defence, Chekhover Variation Sicilian Defence, Chekhover Variation The Sicilian Defence, Chekhover Variation (also sometimes called the Szily Variation or Hungarian Variation) is a chess opening named after Vitaly Chekhover, from the game Chekhover–Lisitsin, Leningrad 1938. It is defined by the moves: On move four White ignores the standard opening principle to not develop the queen too early in the game. Although the Chekhover Variation is somewhat rare at grandmaster level, it is not uncommon among amateurs. The "Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings" (ECO) assigns code B53 to this opening. Black's main response to the Chekhover Variation is 4... Nc6 immediately attacking White's queen, leading
Open Game and preparing for d2–d4. Black's most common reply is , which usually leads to the Ruy Lopez (3.Bb5), Italian Game (3.Bc4), or Scotch Game (3.d4), though 3.Nc3 Nf6 (the Four Knights Game), often played in the late 19th to early 20th century, or, less commonly, 3...g6 or ...Bb4, (the Three Knights Game), are other possibilities. If Black instead maintains symmetry and counterattacks White's center with then the Petrov's Defense will usually result, though White can avoid the extensive theory of the Petrov by playing 3.Nc3 if he wishes. The Philidor Defence, (2...d6), largely fell out of use after World War