The Modern Scheveningen Sicilian, GM Alex Colovic

Grandmaster Alex Colovic has done it again! The highly acclaimed Chessable “OG” and author of one of the most popular Najdorf courses is serving up a new Sicilian weapon for your arsenal: the Scheveningen Variation.

This underrated Sicilian is what launched Garry Kasparov to the elite echelons of chess long before he was a Najdorf player. And he was even rumored to be working on a “Scheveningen secret weapon” in the later days of his chess career!

Unfortunately, strong players had all but given up the Scheveningen in fear of White’s daunting Keres Attack (6.g4) – until now.

In this modern reboot, you’ll get all the benefits of the Scheveningen with none of the pain points. In fact, you’ll get the most rapid development out of any of the Sicilians, disarming any attack White can throw at you – including the “deadly” Keres Attack.

Why Play the Scheveningen?

Some players who want a Scheveningen structure opt to reach it through a Najdorf move order so they can avoid complications. But this takes away one of the most beautiful parts of the Scheveningen: lightning fast development.

So in this modern Scheveningen approach, GM Colovic will show you how to develop your pieces rapidly while simultaneously fending off threats from White – and in many cases, launching counterattacks that will turn the tables before move 15.

The key is a flexible pawn structure – the ‘small center’ created by the pawns on e6 and d6 will allow you to push one of those pawns up to change the structure as needed to counter White’s ideas and start your counteroffensive whenever and wherever necessary.

Shock and Awe White In Any Variation

GM Colovic shows you how to subdue any attack White throws at you in this thorough yet easily digestible 207-line course. You’ll learn the:

✅ Keres Attack (6.g4) – In this improved Scheveningen, you’ll either beat White to the punch with an attack of your own or take the wind out of his sails by quickly simplifying to a comfortable endgame

✅ Fianchetto Line (6.g3 7.Bg2) – You’ll learn how to shut down White’s idea of pawn structure damage and focus on central domination and counterplay

✅ White Plays 6.f4 – After a quick kingside castle, you’ll launch some Tal-like attacks of your own on the queenside with pawnstorms and exchange sacrifices

✅ English Attack (6.Be3 followed by f3, g4) GM Colovic shows you how to strike the right balance between keeping your king safe and launching dynamic counterplay in this oft-played variation

✅ Classical Variation (6.Be2) In this quieter variation, you’ll solidify your center with e5 and rearrange your pieces to stop White’s positional ideas and let yours reign supreme

✅ Fischer-Sozin Attack (6.Bc4) This common attack found in many Sicilian variations loses its bite against the Scheveningen setup – the e6 pawn doesn’t let the White bishop have any fun. Instead, you’ll be having the fun with quick queenside mating attacks

And don’t worry about those annoying sidelines – you’ll be prepared against all sorts of 6th move alternatives, including 6.Bg5 if White wants to keep things Najdorfy.

With a veteran Chessable author like GM Colovic as your instructor, rest assured you’ll be covered. Just check out some of his rave reviews – he’s a master at concisely breaking down openings so you can start getting winning results in your own games straight away. Even if you’ve never played the Sicilian, you’ll quickly be able to learn all its dynamic beauty with the Scheveningen.