The Sicilian Defense is one of the most extremely theoretical chess openings. Today, you will learn about a variation from this opening, the Four Knights variation. The Sicilian Four Knights comes after the following moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6

You will see this variation less likely in the games of top grandmasters because if White really knows what he is doing, usually he will gain a small advantage. But this is a perfect weapon to make White uncomfortable in the opening. This variation might not be absolutely comprehensive, but it can give you a general idea of how to play the Sicilian Defense with confidence.

Suggested: 5 Best Chess Opening Traps in the Sicilian Defense

Today, our guest coach IM Asaf Givon will teach about this opening variation. Throughout his chess career, he always considered the Four Knights Sicilian to be an opening variation for lazy people, who don’t have much time to study theory or memorize a lot of moves.

In the following video lesson, Asaf covers two major principles of this variation:

1. Creating pressure on White’s center
2. Making the breakthrough for Black with d5

Watch and enjoy the video lesson below:

Do you play the Sicilian Four Knights? If you’ve played some amazing games in this opening variation (or playing against it), please do share them in the comments below. I’d be very happy to see them.

P.S. If you would like to learn more about the Sicilian Defense, I recommend that you study the RCA course “Master Sicilian Pawn Structures”, and here is the introduction video to the course – LINK.