Key ideas
- The Keres Attack, 6.g4, is White's most direct answer. The g-pawn threatens g5 to drive the f6 knight away before Black has castled; 6...h6 and 6...Nc6 are common replies.
- Many players reach the Scheveningen through the Najdorf move order (5...a6 and only then ...e6) to sidestep the Keres. White then often plays the English Attack: Be3, f3, Qd2, g4 and long castling.
- In the Classical lines, 6.Be2 Be7 7.O-O O-O 8.f4 Nc6 9.Be3, both sides castle short. White continues with Kh1, Qe1-g3 and Rad1 for a kingside attack, while Black plays ...a6, ...Qc7 and ...b5.
- Black's freeing breaks are ...d5, and ...e5 once White has played f4. White's typical attacking ideas are the e5 push against d6 and piece sacrifices on e6, d5 and f5 to open lines toward Black's king.
Plans for White
Strike before Black finishes developing. Against an early ...Be7 and ...O-O, g4-g5 with h4 (Keres or English Attack) or f4, Qe1-g3 and Rad1 build pressure. Once the pieces are in place, look for e5 and sacrifices on e6, d5 or f5.
Plans for Black
Finish development with ...Be7, ...O-O, ...Nc6, ...a6, ...Qc7 and ...b5, then break with ...d5 or ...e5 when White overextends. If g4-g5 is coming, ...h6 slows the pawns down; castling straight into them is risky.
For the wider picture, see the Sicilian Defense guide.