The Scheveningen Sicilian: Complete Guide for Black
Kasparov's Weapon, Reimagined for the Modern Era
For over a century, the Scheveningen Sicilian has stood as one of Black's most resilient answers to 1.e4—championed by Kasparov, analyzed by generations of world-class players, yet often sidelined in recent years due to the aggressive Keres Attack (6.g4). GM Pier Luigi Basso's latest course dismantles that hesitation. Rather than treating the Keres as an obstacle, Basso reframes it as the central battlefield where the Scheveningen reveals its true character: meeting flank aggression with precise central counterplay. The message is clear—stop fearing the Keres, start playing the Scheveningen the right way.
The course structure reflects this philosophy. While many Sicilian repertoires deal with the Keres Attack quickly, Basso dedicates six full chapters (8–13) to White's most critical tries after 6.g4, including the sharp 7.h4 Nc6 8.Rg1 d5! line and modern alternatives like 7.Rg1 and 7.h3. The remaining chapters systematically address the English Attack (6.Be3), Classical lines (6.Be2), and positional setups like 6.g3. The Scheveningen's flexible move order (reaching the structure via 2...d6 or 2...e6) also allows Black to steer around certain Anti-Sicilian tries based on preference.
Variation Map
The course covers all major branches after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6:
- 6.g4 h6 (Keres Attack) — Chapters 8–13
- 7.h4 Nc6 8.Rg1 d5! — Modern main line (Chapter 10) and older 9.Bb5 (Chapter 9)
- 7.g5 hxg5 8.Bxg5 Nc6 — Open h-file counterplay (Chapter 8)
- 7.Rg1 Nc6 8.Be3 Be7 — Independent sidelines (Chapter 11)
- 7.h3 a6! — Space-grabbing tries (Chapters 12–13, including Firouzja's 9.b3)
- 6.Be3 Be7 (English Attack) — Chapters 5–7
- 7.f4 — Standard setup (Chapter 5)
- 7.g4 — Critical sideline (Chapter 6)
- 7.f3 h5! — Tricky recommendation (Chapter 7)
- 6.Be2 Be7 (Classical Main Line) — Chapters 3–4
- 7.O-O O-O — Solid theoretical battleground
- 6.g3 — Chapter 2
- Be7, O-O, Nc6! — Tempo-saving setup vs. Najdorf equivalents
- 6.Bg5 — Chapter 1
- Explains why ...e6 (vs. ...a6) reduces White's pressure
- Miscellaneous tries (6.Be3 without f4, 6.Bg2) — Chapters 14–15
Basso, who co-authored the popular Jospem vs the Anti-Sicilians with GM Jose Martinez Alcantara, pairs perfectly with that earlier work—together, they form a complete Scheveningen system covering both Anti-Sicilian sidelines and the main theoretical battles after 3.d4.
Premium Course Features
This is a Modern Chess Premium course, built as a complete training system:
- 15 deeply structured theoretical chapters
- Overview by GM Felix Blohberger
- 30 test positions to verify your understanding
- 5 training positions for practical experience
- Memory Booster for lasting recall
- To-Go Version of the chapters for fast preparation
- Video instruction explaining ideas, not just moves
- Multilingual PGN availability (English, German, French, Spanish)
The Scheveningen isn't a relic—it's a living repertoire that rewards understanding over memorization. If you've avoided it because of the Keres, this course gives you the tools to turn White's aggression into a liability.