Overview
Reversed Sicilian Jobs in Almaty, Almaty, Kazakhstan at Chessiverse AB
Title: Reversed Sicilian
Company: Chessiverse AB
Location: Almaty, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Articles/Opening Guides/Reversed Sicilian
Reversed Sicilian
A201.c4 e5
Sep 12, 2027
5 min read
TL;DR
A Sicilian Defense with colors reversed — same structural motifs (flank pressure, fight for d5, half-open c-file) but with White holding the extra tempo. 2.Nc3 is the principled try; 2.d4 throws away the asymmetry that makes the whole line work. Across nearly 50M games.
Reviewed by
IM John BartholomewCo-Founder & Chess Educator
International Master and chess educator. Co-founded Chessable and joined Chessiverse as co-founder. Best known for his "Climbing the Rating Ladder" YouTube series and structured opening courses.
In This Article
- Strategic Overview
- Key Ideas
- History and Notable Players
- Performance Across Rating Levels
- Time Control Patterns
- Move Diversity and Theory Depth
- Main Lines and Variations
- Common Mistakes
- Practice on Chessiverse
Summary
- c4 e5 opens the Reversed Sicilian, ECO A20. Black plays the Sicilian — but on the other side, and a tempo down. That extra move sounds like nothing until you realize how often the Sicilian itself relies on Black's precise move order to make a thing of it.
Strategic Overview
The Reversed Sicilian flips the colors of a Sicilian Defense, with the extra wrinkle that White is now the side with the half-open file and …c5 break. The structural ideas are the same — flank pawn pressure, the long diagonal, fight for d5 — but the tempo advantage changes which lines actually work. White's main choices on move two are 2.Nc3 (the standard plan, reinforcing d5), 2.g3 (preparing a fianchetto and keeping transpositions wide open), and 2.Nf3 (which can lead to a reversed Alekhine if Black plays …e4, with the cxd5 trick available if Black tries …d5). Pushing 2.d4 throws the advantage away — White gives up the structural asymmetry that justifies the opening in the first place. Black's setup has to acknowledge that this isn't the Sicilian — defensive resources that work for Black there don't always work for White here, because the extra tempo can be the difference between a comfortable Najdorf-style position and one where White just has more space. The middlegame revolves around the d5-square, the c-file, and whether White can convert tempo into real initiative.
Key Ideas
The recurring motifs below distinguish a confident handler of this opening from a beginner:
- 2.Nc3 is the principled main move — The standard plan: reinforce the attack on d5 and keep flexibility on the d-pawn. From here White can choose between Nf3, g3 (Bremen System), or e3 setups depending on Black's reply.
- 2.g3 keeps transpositions wide open — Fianchetto first, decide later. The Bg2 will matter in basically every resulting structure, and White retains the option of Ne2 or Nf3 depending on Black's setup.
- 2.Nf3 invites a reversed Alekhine — If Black plays …e4 chasing the knight, the position becomes a reversed Alekhine where White has an extra tempo. If Black tries …d5 instead, cxd5 is a clean equalizing trick.
- Don't play 2.d4 — it gives up the asymmetry — Pushing d4 turns the position into something resembling a Queen's Gambit but with the wrong move order. White throws away the structural advantage of having played c4 first.
History and Notable Players
It arises from the English Opening. Among the most prolific White practitioners are Normunds Miezis (226 games), Wolfgang Uhlmann (198 games), Colin Anderson McNab (123 games). Black-side regulars include Oleg M Romanishin (80 games), Viswanathan Anand (80 games), Ivan Sokolov (76 games).
Performance Across Rating Levels
Popularity and results vary sharply by rating level. Among 1200-rated players, it appears in 1.02% of games — 6,869,641 of them on record — with White winning 51% and Black 45.3%. Move up to 1800 Elo and the share shifts to 1.10%, with White winning 51.7% versus Black's 43.6%. Among 2500-rated players the line appears in 1.22% of games and draws spike to 9.4%, indicating tight preparation. White's edge erodes by 4.1pp from 1200 to 2500 Elo, suggesting Black's counterplay is easier to find with experience.
Time Control Patterns
Time control matters here: rapid players reach for this opening more than others. In bullet, it appears in 0.77% of games (20,523,082); White wins 52.3%. Blitz shows 1.04% adoption across 37,366,590 games, White scoring 51.3%. In rapid, the share rises to 1.11% — 12,232,013 games, White 50.9%.
Move Diversity and Theory Depth
What players actually play after the opening moves depends heavily on rating. At 1200 Elo, the top reply is Nc3, played 54.5% of the time. There are 5 other moves seeing meaningful share, and 75.5% of games stick to established theory. Entropy: 2.28. By 2500, Nc3 dominates at 57% of replies; only 2 viable alternatives remain and 94.4% of moves are theory. Entropy drops to 1.54. That entropy collapse is the signature of a line where preparation pays off: at the top, players know the best move and play it.
Main Lines and Variations
The Main Branches Off 1.c4 E5 Include
- Reversed Sicilian: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3
Each branch leads to a different middlegame character — the resulting pawn structure decides what kind of game you get.
Common Mistakes
- Drifting away from main theory — At 400 Elo, theory adherence sits at 65.1% — versus 91.4% at 2000. The most popular deviation is e4 (played 13.6% of the time at 400, much less so up top). It looks fine but quietly hands the better-prepared side an edge.
- Neglecting development — It can feel productive to make extra pawn moves early, but falling behind in piece development is what loses most amateur games — especially in open positions where active pieces find squares fast.
- Ignoring the kingside attack — In sharp Sicilian lines, White typically castles long and pushes the h-pawn. Without your own counterplay on the queenside or in the centre, White's attack lands first.
Practice on Chessiverse
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Quick Facts
Main Line1.c4 e5
DifficultyEasy
Parent OpeningEnglish Opening
Style
Theoretician openings have deep, well-studied lines where knowledge of specific variations gives a significant advantage. Preparation and memorization of key lines are essential.
49,598,603games on Lichess
51.2%
4.3%
44.5%
White wins Draws Black wins
Top Players
As White
- Normunds Miezis226 games
- Wolfgang Uhlmann198 games
- Colin Anderson McNab123 games
As Black
- Oleg M Romanishin80 games
- Viswanathan Anand80 games
- Ivan Sokolov76 games
Data from Lichess opening explorer (blitz & rapid)
Most Popular At2500
SharpnessVery Sharp
Popularity by Rating
Percentage of all games at each rating bracket that feature this opening.
Data from Lichess opening explorer (blitz & rapid games)
Theory Adherence by Rating
How often players choose the single most popular move at this position. Higher = more predictable play.
White to move after the opening line
Popularity Over Time
Share of all Lichess blitz + rapid games featuring this opening, by year.
What do players play here?
Move preferences across rating brackets. Click a board to toggle its line.
- c4 e5
English: After 1.c4 e5
White's second move in the Reversed Sicilian
Nc3 increases from 41.1% at 400 to 57.0% at 2500
g3 increases from 8.4% at 400 to 32.9% at 2500
e4 decreases from 13.0% at 400 to 0.0% at 2500
Top Moves by Rating
White to move after the opening line
RatingMost Popular2nd3rd
400Nc342.8%e413.6%g38.8%
1000Nc350.6%g310.9%e410.6%
1200Nc354.5%g312.4%e38.6%
1400Nc357.9%g313.4%e38.9%
1600Nc361.6%g314.3%e38.7%
1800Nc365.8%g315.6%e37.1%
2000Nc367.7%g319.5%e34.2%
2200Nc364.9%g326.1%Nf33.4%
2500Nc357%g332.9%Nf34.4%
Popularity by Time Control
Bullet
0.77%20.5M
Blitz
1.0%37.4M
Rapid
1.1%12.2M
2% more decisive in bullet
Raw data tables (Lichess blitz + rapid)
Reversed Sicilian: popularity and win rates by player rating Rating (Elo) Share % Games White win % Black win % Draw % Sharpness 400 0.72 1,660,165 48.1 47.6 4.4 0.956 1000 0.88 3,678,159 50.1 46.1 3.8 0.962 1200 1.02 6,869,641 51.0 45.3 3.7 0.963 1400 1.10 9,966,202 51.5 44.8 3.7 0.963 1600 1.10 10,943,141 51.8 44.1 4.1 0.959 1800 1.10 9,221,492 51.7 43.6 4.7 0.953 2000 1.12 5,054,976 51.1 43.4 5.5 0.945 2200 1.21 2,038,852 49.7 43.3 7.1 0.929 2500 1.22 165,975 46.9 43.8 9.4 0.906 Reversed Sicilian: move-choice theory adherence by rating Rating (Elo) Top move Top move % Viable moves Theory % Entropy 400 Nc3 42.8 7 65.1 2.734 1000 Nc3 50.6 5 72.1 2.434 1200 Nc3 54.5 5 75.5 2.281 1400 Nc3 57.9 4 80.2 2.133 1600 Nc3 61.6 3 84.6 1.961 1800 Nc3 65.8 3 88.5 1.752 2000 Nc3 67.7 2 91.4 1.554 2200 Nc3 64.9 2 94.4 1.442 2500 Nc3 57.0 2 94.4 1.536 Reversed Sicilian: popularity over time Year Share % Games White win % Black win % Draw % 2013 1.00 28,871 51.4 44.9 3.6 2014 1.05 94,794 50.6 45.4 4.0 2015 1.10 243,904 51.6 44.4 4.0 2016 1.08 662,838 51.7 44.1 4.2 2017 1.07 1,219,207 51.4 44.4 4.2 2018 1.13 2,108,448 51.1 44.8 4.2 2019 1.20 3,440,090 51.1 44.7 4.1 2020 1.20 6,858,109 51.3 44.2 4.5 2021 1.09 8,358,755 51.1 44.5 4.4 2022 1.02 7,523,191 51.1 44.6 4.3 2023 0.99 7,855,635 51.1 44.5 4.4 2024 0.99 7,374,783 51.2 44.5 4.4 2025 1.01 7,473,014 51.2 44.4 4.4 Reversed Sicilian: popularity by time control Format Share % Games White win % Black win % Draw % Sharpness bullet 0.77 20,523,082 52.3 44.9 2.8 0.972 blitz 1.04 37,366,590 51.3 44.5 4.3 0.957 rapid 1.11 12,232,013 50.9 44.5 4.6 0.954 Reversed Sicilian: top candidate moves by rating bracket Rating (Elo) 1st move 1st % 2nd move 2nd % 3rd move 3rd % 400 Nc3 42.8 e4 13.6 g3 8.8 1000 Nc3 50.6 g3 10.9 e4 10.6 1200 Nc3 54.5 g3 12.4 e3 8.6 1400 Nc3 57.9 g3 13.4 e3 8.9 1600 Nc3 61.6 g3 14.3 e3 8.7 1800 Nc3 65.8 g3 15.6 e3 7.1 2000 Nc3 67.7 g3 19.5 e3 4.2 2200 Nc3 64.9 g3 26.1 Nf3 3.4 2500 Nc3 57.0 g3 32.9 Nf3 4.4 Reversed Sicilian: top practitioners by side Side Player Games White Normunds Miezis 226 White Wolfgang Uhlmann 198 White Colin Anderson McNab 123 Black Oleg M Romanishin 80 Black Viswanathan Anand 80 Black Ivan Sokolov 76
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Reversed Sicilian?
The Reversed Sicilian begins with 1.c4 e5 and is classified under ECO code A20. This move creates a reverse Sicilian but it's White's move and the aim for White to create an advantage leads generally to different positions.
Is the Reversed Sicilian good for beginners?
The Reversed Sicilian can be played at any level. Beginners should focus on understanding the key strategic ideas rather than memorizing long theoretical lines. Our AI bots at various rating levels provide a great way to practice the opening concepts.
What are the main variations of the Reversed Sicilian?
The main continuations include: Reversed Sicilian: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3. Each variation leads to distinct types of positions with their own strategic themes.
What are the win rates for the Reversed Sicilian?
In a database of 49,598,603 master games, White wins 51.2% of the time, Black wins 44.5%, and 4.3% are drawn. Notable players on the White side include Normunds Miezis and Wolfgang Uhlmann. On the Black side, Oleg M Romanishin and Viswanathan Anand are among the most frequent practitioners.
Related Openings
King's Indian Attack
King's Indian Attack: 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 builds a King's Indian setup with colours reversed. White scores 51.4% across 11M games. Play vs. AI on Chessiverse.
Queen's Pawn Game
- d4: the strategic counterpart to 1.e4. Less direct, more positional, the gateway to every closed and Indian opening. Play vs. AI on Chessiverse.
Reversed Sicilian: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3
White covers d5 first and waits for Black to commit. The d5 square is the whole battle — push it, blockade it, or trade it off. Play vs. AI on Chessiverse.
Reversed Sicilian: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3…… Nc6
Black holds the center with the knight and heads for a closed structure mirroring the Closed Sicilian. Slow strategic maneuvering. Play vs. AI on Chessiverse.
Reviewed by
IM John BartholomewCo-Founder & Chess Educator
International Master and chess educator. Co-founded Chessable and joined Chessiverse as co-founder. Best known for his "Climbing the Rating Ladder" YouTube series and structured opening courses.
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