Demuth Adrien The Modernized Sicilian Kan

Table of Contents
Title page
Key to Symbols
Bibliography
Preface
Chapter 1 – 5.Bd3
Chapter 2 – 5.c4
Chapter 3 – 5.Nc3
Chapter 4 – 5.Be2
Chapter 5 – 5.Be3
Chapter 6 – Various 5th moves
Chapter 7 – The Delayed Alapin Variation
Chapter 8 – Various 3rd moves
2
The Modernized Sicilian Kan
by
Adrien Demuth
Thinkers Publishing 2022
www.thinkerspublishing.com
First edition 2022 by Thinkers Publishing

Copyright © 2022 Adrien Demuth
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher.
All sales or enquiries should be directed to Thinkers Publishing, 9850 Landegem, Belgium.
Email: info@thinkerspublishing.com
Website: www.thinkerspublishing.com
Editorial Director: Adrien Demuth

Assistant Editor: Daniël Vanheirzeele
Proofreading: Bob Holliman
Software: Hub van de Laar
Cover Design: Iwan Kerkhof
Graphic Artist: Philippe Tonnard
Production: BESTinGraphics
ISBN: 9789464201383
D/2021/13731/31
3
Key to Symbols
! a good move
? a weak move
!! an excellent move
?? a blunder
!? an interesting move
?! a dubious move
™ only move
N novelty
‰ lead in development
ʘ zugzwang
= equality
∞ unclear position
© with compensation for the sacrificed material
² White stands slightly better
³ Black stands slightly better
± White has a serious advantage
µ Black has a serious advantage
+– White has a decisive advantage
–+ Black has a decisive advantage
‚ with an attack
ƒ with initiative
„ with counterplay
… with the idea of
¹ better is
≤ worse is
+ check
# mate
4
Bibliography
Books
Play the Sicilian Kan: a Dynamic and Flexible Repertoire for Black, John Hellsten, Everymanchess,
2008
Sicilian Kan, John Emms, Everyman Chess, 2002
Electronic/Periodical
Megadatabase, Chessbase
Corr. Database, Chessbase
New in Chess Yearbook, Interchess
5
Preface
When you are building your repertoire you have many choices available against 1.e4. Everyone
knows the Sicilian is the most dangerous reply but there are so many choices! Most of them are
highly theoretical such as the Najdorf or the Dragon. Some are very difficult to understand from a
positional and dynamical point of view. The Kalashnikov and the Sveshnikov are two good examples,
without even mentioning the amount of theory.
I have always been interested by less theoretical Sicilians. I have been playing the Classical Sicilian
for a long time and right before the covid period, I decided to find a new one. The Sicilian Kan came
to me as a very serious option, and I decided to work on it. In the meantime, my friend and editor
Daniël Vanheirzeele offered me the chance to author a book about it. This came to me as a complete
surprise, as I had no experience with it. In comparison with my work on the Reti and the Dutch (my
two previous books), I am a newbie on the subject. But I decided to accept the challenge. I found it
extremely interesting, as this gave me a fresh look at the positions. I think I managed to ask myself
the questions everyone would have asked. I also work as a second for others and am accustomed to
working on openings I do not necessarily play as well as finding the key ideas very quickly. So, after
a deep initial work to understand the variations, I was ready to start writing!
I knew that keeping the variations to a reasonable length would be a hard task as the opening is
generally considered to be better for White.
In opposition to my prior efforts, I decided to start with the mainlines. I did it both during my work
and then in the structure of the book. It seemed better to address the most difficult lines first to prove
that Black gets playable positions, and then take care of the less challenging lines. This approach
allows you to have an idea of the typical positions and then compare it with the less usual lines so you
may understand why the sidelines are not as good.
I take this as an opportunity to share my knowledge of openings and how I analyze them. I started this
book with the idea that I wanted it to be useful for all levels of playing strength, from amateurs to
even top grandmasters. I really consider the best books to be those where everyone can understand the
basics of the variations while also being of use to anyone that aims at going deeper into the theory.
I based many of the lines and conclusions in this book not only on computer evaluation, but also from
a practical point of view. While I did a deep dive using strong engines when analyzing the lines I
cannot say that they are perfect. The most important thing is that all of the evaluations are based upon
my own understanding and knowledge of chess.
After writing this book, I had to take up another challenge: my personal decisions lead me to become
an editor at Thinkers Publishing (once again, after the kind offer of Daniël), and I decided to edit the
book myself. The bad thing with it, is that any problem with this book, about the layout of the chess
content, I can’t complain about anybody but myself!
I really hope this book will help you build a strong understanding of the Kan Sicilian and that it will
bring you some nice results. I hope you enjoy the material as much as I did writing (and editing) it!
If you have any complains or questions, you can write me directly online at
6
adrien.demuth@gmail.com. I also welcome simple and nice compliments!
Chartres, October 2021
7
Chapter 1
5.Bd3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3
Chapter Guide
Chapter 1 – 5.Bd3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5

a) 6.--
b) 6.c3
c) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qg4 Nf6 8.--
d) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qg4 Nf6! 8.Qg3
e) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.--
f) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.0-0
g) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.Qe2
h) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.c4
i) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qe2
j) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.0-0 Ne7
a) 6.--
8
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6
Position after: 4...a6
Here is the start of our work! After 4...a6 we are playing the Sicilian Kan. Some people may call it the
Paulsen variation, but that is normally played with a latter ...d6 which is often not the case here.
To explain the essence of this opening, Black is only playing flexible pawn moves for now. He allows
White to have a wide choice of continuations since there is no immediate reaction in the centre. Thus,
there are several systems that he can employ starting from this position. In reality, I am also providing
a repertoire on White’s earlier sidelines against 2...e6 which you will find in the last chapters of this
book.
I consider the following to be the main line or the most dangerous.
5.Bd3
White is also playing flexibly as he protects his centre, keeps the b1 knight’s options open and waits
before moving his c-pawn.
5...Bc5
9
Position after: 5...Bc5
The idea is to chase the knight from the centre and to simply develop the bishop before playing ...d7-
d6. Black has a wide choice of moves but I like this approach more than the rest. I will not review the
other possibilities here as you may investigate them independently as it is difficult to say which is
best. 6.Nb3 is clearly the main move, but for now we will concentrate on sidelines which are not
dangerous and from which White does not score well.
6.Be3
A) 6.c3 will be covered in the next subchapter.

B) 6.Nf3?! Is anti-positional. Gone are the possibilities of Qd1-g4, no more f2-f4, and no gain of
tempo on the bishop after 6...d6. We just need ...d6 before ...Nf6 to prevent e4-e5. 7.0-0 Nf6
10
Position after: 7...Nf6
B1) 8.a3 Nc6 9.h3?! Obviously, this is not the most useful move. But the following game is
interesting. 9...h6 10.b4 Ba7 11.Bb2 e5! A strong way to change the pawn structure to something
more active while simultaneously stopping the action of the bishop on b2. 12.Nbd2 Be6 13.c4 0-0
14.Nb3 Nh5! 15.b5 axb5 16.cxb5 White is already in trouble, and in the game Gofshtein, L (2507)
– Agrest, E (2554) Fuerth 1999, Black could have been more precise with: 16...Ne7! 17.a4 Rc8
18.a5 Nf4µ.
B2) 8.Qe2 0-0 9.Nc3 Nc6 In this kind of set-up White runs out of useful move very soon. 10.Bg5
11
Position after: 10.Bg5
[10.Rd1?! Ng4! Underlining some problems in White’s set-up. 11.Rf1 b5 12.h3 Nge5³; 10.h3 b5
11.Rd1 Qc7 12.Be3 Bxe3 13.Qxe3 Bb7³] 10...h6 11.Bh4 Bd7 12.Rad1 Nd4 13.Nxd4 Bxd4ƒ
Black is completely fine here as he will play on the c-file.
6...d6!
Position after: 6...d6!
There is no need to rush into something concrete. We are happy to develop logically while protecting
the bishop against any nasty idea like Nd4xe6, gaining the bishop on c5 (if you hadn’t seen it yet, it
was White’s threat).
6...Qb6? This has been tried a few times, but it is over optimistic. 7.c3 Qxb2 8.Nd2!± Qxc3?
9.Rc1!+– You can check this line by yourself, but Black is already in deep trouble.
7.0-0
7.Nd2 Nf6 8.c3 0-0 9.Qe2 Qc7 10.0-0 Nbd7
12
Position after: 10...Nbd7
Black’s moves have all been natural. The next step is to find a spot for the light-squared bishop. 11.h3
In the game Kosteniuk, A (2530) – Van Wely, L (2653) Calvi 2015, Black could have chosen a
different path from the game (instead of 11...e5), with: 11...Ne5!N 12.Bc2 Bd7 13.Rfe1 Ng6 14.Rad1
Rac8 15.N2f3 h6=
7...Nf6 8.Qe2 0-0 9.Nb3 Bxe3 10.Qxe3 Nc6 11.Rd1 Qc7 12.c4 Ne5 13.N1d2
Position after: 13.N1d2
13
We can differ from the game Jakovenko, D (2644) – Svidler, P (2740) Moscow 2005, with:
13...Bd7!?N 14.Rac1 Rfd8 15.Nd4 Qb6³
White is playing a Maroczy set-up, but he traded his good bishop and has the minor pieces misplaced.
b) 6.c3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5
6.c3
This move is slow, just like the ones in the prior subchapter. But we are hard pressed to say it is a bad
move.
6.Nb3! This is the main continuation which we will cover in the following subchapters.
6...d6!
6...Nf6? 7.e5! You must be accurate with your move order. 7...Nd5 8.Qg4± 0-0? 9.Bh6+–
7.0-0 Nf6
14
White has many options here and we will examine the most logical ones.
8.Nd2
A) 8.Qe2 0-0 9.Bg5 Nbd7 10.Nd2 Occurred in Adams, M (2719) – Hansen, S (2551)
playchess.com INT 2003, and now: 10...h6!N
Position after: 10...h6!N
15
was a simple continuation to challenge the bishop. 11.Bh4 Ne5! 12.Bc2 Ng6 13.Bg3 Qc7 Gaining a
tempo with the treat of ...Bxd4, winning a piece. 14.Rac1 e5 15.Nf5 Nf4ƒ
B) 8.Kh1 White would like to follow-up with f2-f4. So, we take the lead with 8...e5! We lost a
tempo in the opening with the e-pawn, and we also weakened the d5-square, but White is unable to
use it. 9.Nb3 Ba7 10.Bg5 h6
Position after: 10...h6
11.Bxf6 [11.Bh4?! g5 12.Bg3 h5! Very logical with the bishop on g3 and the king standing on h1.
13.f3 h4 14.Bf2 Bxf2 15.Rxf2 g4‚ Black has different threats, including ...g3 which weakens the
dark squares around the white monarch.] 11...Qxf6 We are very glad to see this trade. 12.N1d2 0-0
13.Qe2 Nc6 14.Nc4 Occurred in Berelowitsch, A (2546) – Svidler, P (2693) Moscow 2003, and
now I prefer: 14...Be6!N 15.Ne3 Ne7³.
8...0-0 9.a4
9.N2b3 Ba7 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Qe2
16
Position after: 11.Qe2
Timman, J (2607) – Bruzon Batista, L (2669) Curaçao 2005 11...Ne5! 12.Bc2 h6 This is an important
move before playing ...Qc7. We need to stop Be3-g5. 13.Rad1 Qc7³ 14.f4? Nc4 15.Bc1 e5 16.fxe5
Bg4–+
9...e5 10.N4b3 Ba7 11.Nc4 Be6 12.Qe2
17
This position occurred in the game Carlsen, M (2872) – Caruana, F (2782) Zürich 2014. Caruana
managed to win a fine game where he placed his knight on c6, but I prefer keeping more flexibility
with:
12...Nbd7!?N 13.Bg5
13.Rd1?? Bg4–+
13...h6 14.Bh4 Re8 15.Rfe1
15.Rad1? Is still tempting but still bad as it is so easy to forget the unusual bishop on a7. 15...g5!
16.Bg3 Bg4–+
15...g5 16.Bg3 Nf8µ.
The plan is fairly easy for Black whereas we do not see anything obvious in White’s position. In the
short term our knight is heading toward g6, and probably f4 at some point.
c) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qg4 Nf6 8.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3!
Position after: 6.Nb3!
This is the main move, and it will occupy the remainder of this chapter. White gains a tempo on the
bishop while asking Black to pick a diagonal. This is a tough question and theory has not yet
determined which is best!
18
6...Ba7!?
Quite an unusual place for the bishop in the Sicilian, but not a bad one! It directly fights against
Whites Bc1-e3 or f2-f4. Now I can say that White has 3 main plans, and different move orders can
lead to each of these plans. The first idea is Qd1-g4, intending to attack g7 immediately. This is the
subject of the current subchapter, and we will see a similar idea in the next one. Following this we
will focus on the idea of Qe2 connected with Be3. There are diverse ways to do this (the place of the
knight on b1, and the side on which White castles are two of his options). And in the two last
subchapters, we will have a look at the 0-0-ideas which are usually connected with c2-c4 to take
control over the centre.
6...Be7 This has been played a bit more often, but I am really not fond of it. Not that the move is bad,
but it is not to my liking. The main reason comes after: 7.Qg4!? This is one of the main lines and the
threat on g7 more or less forces us to create a weakness. 7...g6 8.Qe2 d6 9.0-0 Nd7 10.a4
Position after: 10.a4
Black will have to play slowly which I find difficult. The following game went pretty smoothly for
White. 10...b6 11.Na3 Bb7 12.Nc4 Qc7 13.a5 b5 14.Nb6 Rb8 15.c4 bxc4 16.Bxc4 Ngf6 17.Be3±
Aronian, L (2780) – Jumabayev, R (2605) Batumi 2018.
7.Qg4
Has been played quite often and is less dangerous than after 6...Be7.
7...Nf6!
19
Position after: 7...Nf6!
This time (compared to 6...Be7), we can confidently offer the g7-pawn because there is a hidden
difference.
8.Qg3!
A) 8.Qxg7? Rg8 9.Qh6 Bxf2+!
Position after: 9...Bxf2+!
20
This makes all the difference. The bishop is untouchable, and the king has to move. Quite a bad deal
for White.
A1) 10.Kxf2?? Ng4+–+ As obvious as it is, I prefer to show it.
A2) 10.Ke2 e5! Again, an important move to stop e4-e5. 11.Bg5! Rg6 12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qh3™
[13.Qxh7?? d6 14.N1d2 Rxg2–+ The threat of ...Bg4+ is obvious.] 13...Bb6 14.Nc3 Qf2+ 15.Kd1
Qxg2µ
A3) 10.Kd1 e5! 11.Nc3 [11.Rf1 Rg6 12.Qd2 Ba7 13.Nc3N 13...d6 14.h3 Be6µ White has long
term problems with his king...] 11...d6 12.Bg5
12...Rg6 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.Qxh7 Qg5!µ Black is really close to winning. In fact, White collapses
immediately in the following game: 15.Nd2? Rh6 16.Nf3 Bg4 17.Qf5 Qg7 0-1 (17) Zwanzger, J
(2340) – Raupp, T (2350) Germany 2004.
B) 8.Qe2 A few players have retreated but it makes no sense since. 7.Qe2 is a usual continuation
after which the knight on f6 is perfectly fine. We now have an extra move. Only one game among
grandmasters has seen this retreat: 8...d6 9.Be3 Bxe3 10.Qxe3 Nc6 11.Nc3 b5 12.f4 b4!
21
Position after: 12...b4!
13.Na4 Rb8 14.0-0-0. Now, instead of castling in the game Mamedov, R (2688) – Andreikin, D
(2737) Tallinn 2016, Black could have tried: 14...e5! 15.Rhf1 0-0µ.
8...d6!
Stopping the move e4-e5 is a priority.
9.Nc3 Nc6
22
Position after: 9...Nc6
10.0-0
This is one of the most logical moves for White.

A) 10.Bg5 Will be covered in the next subchapter.
B) 10.Bd2 My engine wants to play this move immediately, but it seems cleverer to provoke Black
to include ...h6. 10...b5 11.a3 [11.0-0-0 b4 12.Ne2 0-0!= In comparison to the main line this move is
possible because there is no pawn hanging on h6.] 11...Bb7 12.0-0-0 Ne5„ It’s fully playable!
10...b5
Position after: 10...b5
11.Bg5
11.Kh1 Bb7 12.f4 b4 [12...h5!? 13.f5 Ng4 14.Bf4 e5 15.Bd2 Nb4 16.a4 Nxd3 17.cxd3 b4 18.Nd1 d5
19.Ne3 dxe4 20.Nxg4 hxg4„ 0-1 (34) Berg, E (2604) – Hillarp Persson, T (2547) Vasteras 2011]
13.Ne2 0-0
23
Position after: 13...0-0
I like these “small centre” positions for Black with the pawns on d6 and e6 and the two bishops can
soon become powerful. 14.f5 Ne5 15.Bg5 Rc8 16.Na5 Ba8!„ [16...Qxa5? 17.Bxf6+–]
11...Ne5! 12.Kh1 h6 13.Bd2 g5!
Position after: 13...g5!
This strange-looking move is very efficient here. The idea is to stop the move f2-f4.
24
14.Ne2 g4 15.f4 gxf3 16.gxf3 Bd7 17.Bc3
We have been following the game Acs, P (2606) – Smirin, I (2661) Paks 2011, which ended in a 23-
move draw. However, we can try and improve with:
17...Rg8!N 18.Qh4 Rc8
When the black king will remain in the centre. This is probably the safest place in this case thanks to
the pawns and the many pieces around him. Black’s activity will more than compensate for his odd
piece arrangement.
19.Nf4 b4 20.Bxb4 Nxd3 21.cxd3 e5µ
...Rc2 and possibly ...Ng4 are coming.
d) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qg4 Nf6! 8.Qg3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3! Ba7!? 7.Qg4 Nf6! 8.Qg3! d6! 9.Nc3
Nc6 10.Bg5!?
Position after: 10.Bg5!?
The goal of this move is to provoke ...h6 creating a potential target. Since he can not tolerate the
bishop here, he must play ...h6.
10...h6! 11.Bd2 b5!?
25
Definitely a sideline. Other interesting moves have been played more often, but this is my preference.
11...e5?! I am not fond of leaving the d5-square in White’s hands. 12.Nd5 Nh5 13.Qf3 Nf6 14.0-0-
0² So, W (2646) – Andreikin, D (2648) Lubbock 2009.
12.0-0-0
12.f4?!
Position after: 12.f4?!
This has been played a couple of times and the difference is that h6 is no longer under attack thus we
can castle soon. 12...b4 13.Ne2 0-0!N Black’s pieces are great, and the tactics are working for him.
14.f5?! [14.e5 Nd5 15.Be4 dxe5 16.0-0-0 a5! 17.fxe5 Qc7 18.Bxh6 Qxe5µ] 14...exf5 15.exf5
[15.Bxh6? Ng4–+] 15...Ne5–+
12...b4 13.Ne2
26
Position after: 13.Ne2
13.Na4?! The knight is quite exposed here, and it is doing nothing. 13...Ne5!N 14.Be2 0-0! 15.Bxh6
Ng6 16.Be3 Nxe4 17.Qf3 d5µ
13...Kf8!N
I like this new move. We simply protect the g7-pawn. The king is obviously not perfect on f8, but
otherwise Black is in great shape. He can follow up with a6-a5-a4.
13...e5?!N This variation shows why we need to protect g7. 14.Qxg7 Rg8 15.Qxh6 Rg6 16.Qh4 Rg4
17.Qh3 Rg6 18.g4!
27
Position after: 18.g4!
[18.Qh4 Rg4=] 18...Nxg4 19.f4! Nf2 20.Qh7! Objectively, this continuation is quite impossible to
find over the board. [20.Qh8+? Kd7 21.Qh5 Kc7 22.f5 Rg7³] 20...Nxh1 21.Rxh1 Qf6 22.f5 Rg7
23.Qh5±
14.e5!?
A) 14.Kb1?! a5 [14...e5 15.f4 a5 16.Nbc1 Bb7] 15.Bb5 Qc7! White is quite helpless. His pieces are
doing nothing and there is a pawn storm coming. [15...Bb7 16.f3 e5‚] 16.Bf4 e5 17.Be3 a4!
28
Position after: 17...a4!
18.Bxa4 [18.Nd2 a3 19.b3 Bg4µ] 18...Bxe3 19.Bxc6 Bxf2 20.Qxf2 Qxc6–+

B) 14.f4!?
Position after: 14.f4!?
After this standard move the play might continue 14...a5! 15.e5 Nd5! 16.Kb1 a4 17.Nbc1 a3 18.b3
dxe5 19.Be4 exf4 20.Nxf4 Bb8„ ...Qf6 is coming with mating threats, but Black should also be
cautious as the position is still pretty complicated. Anything can happen here!
14...Nxe5 15.Bxb4
The trade is strategically fair for Black, but at least White manages to get some initiative.
15...Qb6! 16.a3
16.Qxe5? Qxb4 17.Qg3 a5µ
16...Kg8!
29
Position after: 16...Kg8!
Very precise. I could not manage to find full equality for White. For instance:
17.Bxd6 Nxd3+ 18.Qxd3
18.Rxd3? Ne4 19.Qf3 Bb7–+
18...Qxf2 19.Rhf1
19.Kb1 Bb7 20.Rhf1 Qxg2µ
19...Qe3+ 20.Qxe3 Bxe3+ 21.Kb1 Bb7³.
In this kind of endgame, the bishop pair enables Black to claim a small advantage.
e) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3! Ba7!? 7.Nc3
30
Position after: 7.Nc3
This logical move is played slightly more often than 7.Qg4. In general, it is played in connection with
the idea of playing Qd1-e2 and Bc1-e3, but it is not necessary. Here, we will mainly focus on other
minor ideas for White.
7...Nc6
In most of the examples we will start with this move since the square for this knight is obvious.
7...Ne7 I would have chosen this move order as I did against most of White’s 7th moves, but here
there might be a slight issue with 8.Qg4!? thus 7...Nc6 is my personal preference. However, both
lines are likely to transpose into each other.
8.Bf4
From a positional point of view this looks decent. White takes advantage of the deserted dark squares,
but Black reacts immediately.
A) 8.Qe2 as well as 8.0-0 will be covered in the next subchapters.
B) 8.Qg4 This is the third main move, but it does not really have an independent value and will
merely transpose into the previous subchapter. 8...Nf6!
31
Once again, we offer a free pawn with strings attached. 9.Qg3 [9.Qxg7? Rg8 10.Qh6 Bxf2+!µ We
previously saw this trick and it is very similar to a line we examined in the 7.Qg4-line.] 9...d6 This
is a transposition into the previous subchapter with 7.Qg4.
8...e5!?
This may seem contradictory to what we previously discussed as it weakens the d5-square. But we
need to prevent the possibility of Bd6, and we will take over the initiative so that the d5-square
becomes irrelevant.
9.Bg3
32
9...h5!?N
After the logical 9...d6 White would have an easier position with 10.Qd2! [10.Bc4?! h5! 11.Qf3 Be6
12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.h4 Qf6³ 0-1 Berezjuk, S (2403) – Oral, T (2521) Czechia 2000.] 10...Nf6 11.0-0-0
Be6 12.Bh4²
Position after: 12.Bh4²
33
This is exactly what we are trying to avoid. By starting with 9...h5 we are going to take away the h4-
square from White. At some point in the diagram position White will give up the bishop pair to use
the d5-square.
10.h3!
Probably the best thing for White is to let the h-pawn advance as much as possible and to free the g-
pawn. However, this is not enough to give White any real edge.
10.h4?! d6 11.Qd2 Nf6 12.0-0-0 Be6
Position after: 12...Be6
13.Kb1 [13.Be2?! Nd4!³ It is fairly easy for Black to cover the d-file.] 13...0-0ƒ With the bishop on
g3, White has big problems launching any kind of attack on the kingside.
10...h4 11.Bh2 Nf6 12.Qd2 d6 13.0-0-0 Be6!
34
Position after: 13...Be6!
There is no rush to castle as we have another option for the king.
14.f4 Qc7„
The position is double-edged, and Black is probably going to castle on the queenside when
convenient.
f) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.0-0
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3! Ba7!? 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.0-0
35
Position after: 8.0-0
This position may also arise with the 7.0-0 move-order. I do not feel the moves Nc3 and 0-0 are well
connected for White because he is now deprived of the possibility of playing c2-c4 which is the main
reason that White then long castles.
8.Qe2 This will be covered in the next subchapter.
8...Nge7
As you have seen I like to place the knight here. The reason is that he cannot be attacked by a pawn
on e5 or pinned by the dark-squared bishop as it would be easy to chase it.
8...d6?! 9.Qg4!‚
9.Qe2
White’s idea is to continue with 10.Be3 in order to trade the annoying bishop on a7. While you can
allow this, I would like to offer a new move preventing it!
9.Kh1 This looks like another decent idea. White simply unpins his f-pawn to be able to advance it.
However, Black has a strong continuation. 9...0-0 10.f4 d5!
36
Way back in 1996 (this sounds like the Cro – Magnon period for modern chess), Ehlvest had found
the way to solve Black’s problem. As he demonstrates White is not prepared to advance like this in
the centre.
A) 11.Qf3 Nb4! 12.Bd2 dxe4 13.Bxe4 [13.Nxe4?! Nxd3 14.cxd3 Bd7µ] 13...f5 14.Bd3 Up to this
point Black has done great in: Zupancic, U (1921) – Neverov, V (2541) Nova Gorica 2012, but here
he should have simply continued with 14...Nxd3! 15.cxd3 Bd7³ with ...Bc6 to come and a great
position.
B) 11.e5 f6! 12.exf6 [12.Qe2? fxe5 13.fxe5 Rxf1+ 14.Qxf1 Nxe5–+; 12.Re1?! fxe5 13.fxe5 Ng6
14.Qh5 Qc7 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Qxg6 Qxe5!µ It is pretty obvious that White’s pieces (especially
both knights), are out of the play.] 12...Rxf6 13.Ne2
37
Now in the game Leko, P (2630) – Ehlvest, J (2660) Cap d’Agde 1996, Black played for a draw
which he quickly achieved but he could have gone with the active continuation: 13...Qd6! 14.c3 e5
15.fxe5 Nxe5³ when Black has more than enough activity in this position with an isolani.
9...d5!?N
Position after: 9...d5!?N
38
9...0-0 10.Be3 While this transposes into the last subchapter of the current chapter dealing with 7.0-0
Nd7 I think the text move is even stronger against this move order.
10.exd5
10.Be3?? d4–+ This is the reason why Bc1-e3 is prevented.
10...exd5 11.Re1
11.Bf4 Be6! This is playable here. We protect the d5-pawn to gain flexibility with the knight on e7.
[11...0-0 12.Qh5‚ This could easily go bad for Black because 12...Ng6 would abandon the d5 pawn
and 12...h6 looks scary because of some sacrificing ideas. 12...h6 13.Rad1‚ If you have some
courage, you can go for it!] 12.Rad1
Position after: 12.Rad1
[12.Qh5 Nb4! First, neutralize the assailant. 13.Rad1 Nxd3 14.Rxd3 0-0=] 12...0-0 13.Qh5 Ng6
14.Bc1 Qd7=
11...0-0!
11...Be6?! 12.Qh5‚ Instead of 11.Bf4, White has now the extra threat of taking on e6 making
Black’s life harder.
12.Qh5
12.Bf4 Ng6 13.Bg3? f5! This is basically game over. White is defenceless against the f-pawn. 14.h3
f4 15.Bh2 f3 16.gxf3 Bxh3–+
39
12...h6 13.Bf4
Position after: 13.Bf4
13.Bxh6? Is too early to be strong. 13...gxh6 14.Qxh6 Bf5µ
13...Be6 14.Rad1 Qd7 15.h3 Rae8=
The position is balanced, and it is not easy to improve White’s position.
g) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.Qe2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3! Ba7!? 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.Qe2
40
The main continuation which usually shows that White is willing to castle on the queenside to have
an attack on the kingside.
8...d6 9.Be3
9.Bd2 Is less played but has the idea of short castling. 9...Nf6 10.0-0-0 b5 11.f4 This position
occurred in Leko, P (2460) – Horvath, C (2515) Hungary 1992, but I do not see any reason to refrain
from chasing the knight. 11...b4! 12.Na4 e5! Now that White’s knights cannot reach d5 we can
blockade the centre
41
Position after: 12...e5!
Now that White’s knights cannot reach d5 we can blockade the centre. 13.f5 Qc7 14.g4 h6! A very
smart move. We can see the point of it after 15.h4 h5! 16.g5 Ng4 17.Rhf1 Bd7µ The knight on a4 is
in huge danger and White’s counterplay is far from obvious.
9...b5
42
We have reached the most critical position of this line. Black immediately develops his queenside and
waits before developing his kingside knight. White has a lot of options at his disposal.
10.Bxa7
A) 10.a4 Generally speaking it does not really bother Black to play b4, since it gains a tempo on the
knight. 10...b4 11.Nd1 instead Naiditsch, A (2574) – Rublevsky, S (2686) Dortmund 2004, went
11...Nf6! 12.Bxa7 Rxa7 13.Ne3 0-0 14.0-0 d5! 15.exd5 exd5 16.Rfd1 Re8=. Our activity
compensates for the isolated central pawn.
B) 10.f4?! b4! Again, chasing the knight will provide us better control of the centre. 11.Nd1 Nf6
12.0-0 0-0 13.Bxa7 Rxa7
Position after: 13...Rxa7
14.Kh1 [14.Ne3 a5ƒ] 14...e5 15.Ne3 Occurred in the game Hou, Y (2612) – Ding, L (2664)
Danzhou 2011, ½ – ½ (46) and it looks good to open the centre by means of: [15.f5 a5 16.Ne3 a4
17.Nd2 Nd4 18.Qe1 Bb7„] 15...exf4 16.Rxf4 a5 17.Raf1 Nd7 18.Bb5 Nde5= White has the d5-
square but the knight on e5 is also a monster.
C) 10.0-0-0? b4!N
43
Position after: 10...b4!N
I am surprised that this move is still a novelty as it looks so logical. 11.Na4 It is probably because of
this move that 10...b4 has not been tried yet, but the knight is going to find itself in trouble here.
[11.Nb1 Nf6 12.Bxa7 Rxa7 13.g4 e5 14.g5 Nd7 15.h4 0-0µ Black follows with a6-a5-a4, and a
straight-forward plan.] 11...Bd7 12.Qd2™ White needs this move to attack the pawn laying on d6.
12...Qb8 [12...Nf6!? This is another promising continuation, preventing the light-squares bishop
from moving.] 13.Be2 Nf6!
44
[13...Nce7?? We cannot move so quickly with the knight as we must first protect the bishop on d7
due to 14.Nac5!+–.] 14.Qxd6 There is nothing else. [14.f3? Ne7–+] 14...Qxd6 15.Rxd6 Nxe4
16.Rxd7 [16.Rdd1 Nxf2 17.Bxf2 Bxf2µ White has no compensation.] 16...Kxd7 17.Bf3 f5µ White
will probably get a pawn back, but still down the exchange.
D) 10.0-0 White will not have much if he plays 0-0 without c2-c4. Consider the following game:
10...Nf6 11.h3 0-0 12.a3
White is playing cautiously but this is not so efficient as Black is well placed. 12...Qc7 13.Bxa7
Qxa7 14.Kh1 e5 15.f4 Despite Black winning in 35 moves in the game Salih, A (2318) –
Oleksienko, M (2568) Abu Dhabi 2013, I would prefer 15...Be6! covering the d5-square 16.f5 Bxb3
17.cxb3 Nd4 18.Qd1 Rac8„.
10...Rxa7
45
Position after: 10...Rxa7
The rook looks odd on a7 and more so if we play ...Bb7 at some point but it may reach c7 quickly.
11.Qe3
Immediately challenging the rook is the main continuation here. For now, we do not need to do
anything about it.
A) 11.0-0-0 b4!N Similar to 10.0-0-0, this move is very powerful. [11...Nge7 12.f4 Qb6 13.Rhf1‚
White is ready to follow with f4-f5, and I prefer to avoid this position, even if Black drew in:
Perunovic, M (2582) – Miladinovic, I (2555) Vrnjacka Banja 2012.] 12.Na4 Bd7 13.Bxa6 [13.Qe3
Nf6 14.Be2 Qc7 15.Nb6 0-0 16.Nxd7 Nxd7³ The knight escaped, but we gained many tempi and
the road for the a-pawn has been opened.] 13...Qc7 14.Rd2!
46
Position after: 14.Rd2!
[14.Bb5 Nf6µ The plan is simple ...0-0 and ...Rfa8.] 14...Nb8 15.Bb5 Rxa4 16.Bxa4 Bxa4 17.Rhd1
Ne7 18.Rxd6 0-0„ The position is really complicated, but I would go for Black in this unbalanced
situation.
B) 11.f4 Nf6 12.0-0-0 b4 13.Na4 We saw this position in ½ – ½ (18) Womacka, M (2475) –
Gavrikov, V (2575) Germany 1998, but I now think it is necessary to close the centre by stopping
White’s possibility of playing e4-e5. 13...e5!N 14.fxe5 Nxe5 15.Qd2 Bg4 16.Be2 Bxe2 17.Qxe2 0-
0=
11...Nf6!
11...b4!? You may prefer this continuation. 12.Ne2 Nge7 13.f4 0-0 14.0-0-0?! This is over-optimistic
as we have an easy path. [14.0-0! Qc7 15.c4„] 14...a5 15.Nbd4 Qb6 16.Qg1 Nxd4 17.Qxd4
47
Position after: 17.Qxd4
Quite unexpectedly, Black traded the queens in Kritz, L (2541) – Rublevsky, S (2686) 0-1 (49),
Mainz 2004. Instead, keeping it on the board is stronger. 17...Qc7!N 18.Kb1 e5 19.Qe3 Bg4µ We
have the attack on the queenside, but we are also about to get a position with a good knight against a
bad bishop.
12.0-0-0
12.0-0 0-0 13.f4 b4 14.Na4 e5!³ Stopping most of White’s activity and some options such as e4-e5.
12...b4! 13.Ne2
48
13...e5!
White is unable to reach the d5-square with a knight, so we take more space in the centre.
14.h3 0-0 15.g4 Qc7 16.f4 a5 17.fxe5 Nxe5 18.Kb1 a4
Things are much simpler for Black.
19.Nbd4 Qc5 20.g5 Nfd7µ
In this old game featuring two players that are now grandmasters, White won despite having a pretty
awful position: Almasi, Z (2390) – Schlosser, P (2485) Budapest 1992.
h) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.c4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3! Ba7!?
In the final 3 subchapters we are going to look at the 3 main ideas: 7.c4, 7.Qe2 and 7.0-0. Against
these 3 moves, I have chosen the same answer, 7...Ne7. That means there can be a lot of
transpositions into different subchapters (and some lines can also transpose into 7.Nc3, even if I did
not choose 7...Ne7). To make things clear, I think it is important to start with 7.c4.
7.c4
49
Position after: 7.c4
This is a move that can be seen in many variations, but it is always really specific. The first thing we
can say about this is that White will rarely play 0-0-0 because Black replies with ...b5 quickly
opening the queenside. But if White goes with 0-0, then the point of 7.c4 is to try to prevent ...d5 or
...b5.
7.Qe2 This line as well as 7.0-0 will be considered in the next subchapters and these subchapters will
not talk about c4-ideas as it is analyzed here.
7...Ne7
50
Position after: 7...Ne7
I have chosen this move because I think it is more flexible than 7...Nc6. As we will see, we
sometimes avoid playing it.
8.Nc3
This is a natural move with this move-order. However, a different move order will likely produce a
different variation.
A) 8.0-0 This generally arise from 7.0-0 Ne7 8.c4 but it has no independent value here. 8...0-0
9.Nc3 See 8.Nc3 0-0 9.0-0. [9.Qe2 You can look at the next variation with 8.Qe2.]. Once again, a
difficulty in this opening is to keep track of the move-orders.
B) 8.Qe2 This line generally arises from 7.Qe2 0-0 8.c4. 8...0-0
51
B1) 9.Nc3 See our main line.

B2) 9.0-0 Nbc6 10.Be3 The only alternative that has been played. [10.Nc3 Most of the players
transpose into the main line of the subchapter.] 10...Bxe3 11.Qxe3 d5! White is not well placed to
react against this central break. The queen is exposed and playing the natural 12.Nc3?? is met with
12...d4. 12.exd5 [12.e5? dxc4 13.Bxc4 Qc7 14.Re1 Ng6µ White is losing a pawn whatever he
tries. 15.f4?! Ncxe5! 16.fxe5 Qxc4–+; 12.cxd5 exd5 13.e5 Bf5 14.Bxf5 Nxf5 15.Qf4 Nh4³]
12...exd5 13.Rd1 d4!?
52
Position after: 13...d4!?
This enters a forcing line. 14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.Be4 Nef5! 16.Bxf5 Nxf5 17.Rxd8 Nxe3 18.Rxf8+
Kxf8 19.fxe3 White is temporarily a pawn up but we have piece activity. 19...Be6 20.b3 Rd8
21.Nc3 Rd3=
B3) 9.Be3 d5!
This is the kind of line where we prefer not to have played ...Nbc6. [9...Bxe3 This is slightly less
accurate. 10.Qxe3 d5 11.Nc3²] 10.Bxa7 [10.Nc3?? is impossible because of 10...d4–+; 10.cxd5
Bxe3 11.Qxe3 exd5 12.0-0 Nbc6= The centre is going to be liquidated and the chances are about
equal.] 10...dxc4! 11.Bxc4 Rxa7 12.0-0 b5 13.Bd3 Rd7! The unnatural rook on a7 reaches the d-
file quickly. 14.Rd1 Ng6³
8...0-0
53
Again, I prefer to delay ...Nbc6 even if it does not make much of a difference.
9.Qe2
9.0-0 Nbc6
A) 10.Qe2 Please refer to the main line.
B) 10.Bf4 This controls the centre, but it allows us to do something very usual in this position while
gaining a tempo on the bishop. 10...e5!? 11.Bg5 d6 12.Qd2 Be6 13.Rad1 Rc8„ When Black cannot
manage to play with ...d5 (the usual plan) this variation with at least an extra-tempo cannot be bad
for Black.
C) 10.Kh1 f5!?
54
Position after: 10...f5!?
A nice move that we will see in the main line too.

C1) 11.Qe2?! This was played in Magness, T (2105) – Bercys, S (2434) Indianapolis 2009, when
Black could have immediately closed the position and started the attack with 11...f4!. Not only
does it give Black attacking prospects, but it also prevents White from having normal development
as the bishop remains stuck on c1. And we can often take advantage of the e5-square. For instance:
12.f3 Ng6 13.Rd1 Nge5ƒ
C2) 11.exf5 Nxf5
C2.1) 12.Qh5?! Ne5 13.Be2 d5‚ And a draw was agreed in Frolyanov, D (2505) –
Shaposhnikov, E (2550) Sochi 2005, but Black is simply better as he has great activity in the
centre and possible tactics on the f-file. White clearly needs to be accurate to stay in the game.
C2.2) 12.Bf4N 12...d5 13.cxd5 exd5 14.Qd2 Be6= White is more solid, but we have enough
activity for equality.
9...Nbc6 10.0-0
This is probably the main variation because it may arise from various move-orders.
10.Be3 Bxe3 We want to attract the queen to e3 to make our next move more powerful. 11.Qxe3
f5!N
55
Position after: 11...f5!N
An ambitious move to react in the centre.

A) 12.0-0?! This is probably a bad idea. 12...f4! 13.Qd2 [13.Qe2? f3! 14.gxf3 Ne5–+] 13...f3 14.g3
Ng6³ It clearly seems unpleasant for White to live with a black pawn on f3.
B) 12.0-0-0 One of Stockfish’ suggestion but it looks risky after 12...b5!‚ . We just want to open
the queenside, and White does not have an easy position.
C) 12.f3 If White wants a chance to castle on the kingside, he should start with this move. 12...Ne5
13.0-0 f4 14.Qd2 b6„ Black has an interesting position and a great spot on e5 for the knights.
10...d5!
56
This has been played only three times but not with the best ideas for Black. Let us do things right!
11.exd5 exd5 12.cxd5
This is definitely the most logical move from a human point of view and the only move that has been
played.
12.Qh5!?N This is an interesting line for White and we need to be careful. 12...h6! We are not afraid
of losing the d5-pawn. [12...g6 I think White’s aim was to create this weakness. it is not a bad move,
but the position becomes dangerous.] 13.cxd5 Nb4!
57
Position after: 13...Nb4!
14.Bb1 [14.Rd1 Nxd3 15.Rxd3 Bf5 Black enjoys a great bishop pair which provides sufficient
compensation and a very pleasant position. 16.Rd1 Bc2 17.Re1 b5©] 14...Nexd5 15.Bxh6 The
position is balanced but this forces a draw. 15...gxh6 16.Qxh6 f5™= And White will need to take the
perpetual before we parry it sufficiently.
12...Nxd5
Position after: 12...Nxd5
58
13.Bxh7+
The only try for White which seems to grab a pawn.
13...Kxh7 14.Qh5+ Kg8 15.Qxd5?!
It seems so logical, and both players played this move, but it is dubious.
15.Nxd5!N 15...Be6 16.Nc3 [16.Rd1 Bxd5 17.Qxd5 Qf6 18.Qf3 Qxf3 19.gxf3 Rfe8= With
compensation for the pawn.] 16...Bc4
Black has many interesting ways to play, but this one is quite forcing. [16...Re8!? 17.Be3 Bxb3
18.axb3 Re5 19.Qf3 Bxe3 20.fxe3 Qe8©] 17.Re1 Bxb3 18.axb3 Re8 19.Bg5 Qb6 20.Be3 Qxb3
21.Bxa7 Nxa7=
15...Qxd5 16.Nxd5 Be6
59
17.Nc7?
So logical and so wrong. White should have settled for something less ambitious because this try
backfires with some damage.
17.Rd1 Rad8 18.Nc3 Nb4= Black is going to get his pawn back thanks to ...Nxa2 at some point, and
he will keep the bishops. He is the one with winning chances.
17...Bxb3 18.Nxa8
18.axb3? Rad8 19.Bf4 Nd4–+ There are too many threats here, White cannot handle all of them.
18...Bc4 19.Nc7
And now in the game Century, J – Osmond, M Islington 1972 Black missed:
19...Rc8!N 20.Bf4 Bxf1 21.Kxf1 g5!
60
22.Bg3™
22.Bd6?? Bb8–+
22...f5 23.Ne6 f4 24.Nxf4 gxf4 25.Bxf4 Rf8!?³
Even if White has 3 passed pawns for a knight, none of these pawns is advanced and we will have a
lot of play which should provide us with winning chances.
i) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qe2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3! Ba7!? 7.Qe2
61
Now let us focus on this move. This is a usual move in this opening, White can prepare different
things such as Be3, and sometimes 0-0-0 a few moves later. And it is very flexible as it keeps every
option available. In the previous subchapter we have seen the ideas with c4, and the next one will be
about 0-0, so you can see this subchapter as a transition between these two ideas, and we will see
what happens when White does not play these moves early.
7...Ne7
Again, this move is not the main line. Usually, Black prefers to play 7...Nc6, but I find it more
flexible as we already saw in the previous subchapter.
8.Be3
This is probably White’s main idea in the current position.

A) 8.c4 See the prior subchapter.
B) 8.0-0 This will be covered in the next subchapter.
C) 8.Nc3 0-0 This position has a low independent value. This is because the two moves that have
been played here transpose into other lines. I tried another move for White that seems to be
interesting. 9.h4!?N
62
Position after: 9.h4!?N
Modern chess allows this kind of approach. White is clearly showing that he will castle on the
queenside, but first he sends an explorer down the h-file. [9.Be3 This goes back to the main line.
9.0-0 Nbc6 This has been already covered in the subchapter with 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.0-0.]
9...Nbc6 10.h5 d5! You should react in the centre. I think playing 10...h6 is possible, but in a way
White would have had succeeded. Because with the pawn already on h6, it will be quite easy for
him to open the kingside with g4-g5 yielding a quick attack. 11.h6 g6 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Bd2 [13.0-0
This is an admission of helplessness for White to castle here. 13...Bb8!?ƒ Maybe Black is not the
one with the best attacking chances but he has some ideas after bringing the queen to h4.]
13...Ndb4! 14.0-0-0 Logical but not great for White. 14...Nxd3+ 15.cxd3 a5!‚ In the end the pawn
on h6 does not look so dangerous, and we manage to launch our attack.
8...0-0
63
This is not the main move but right now I do not believe we need to make a committal decision.
9.Nc3
A) 9.0-0 See next subchapter.

B) 9.Bxa7!?N 9...Rxa7 10.Qe3 Nbc6! Of course, we do not want to retreat with the rook, we prefer
to develop. 11.Nc3 b5! Logical and strong, this move prepares further development or the queenside
attack. 12.0-0-0 Rc7! I like this manoeuvre. The rook was hanging and useless on a7 whereas it is
now a dangerous piece in front of the white king. 13.Kb1 Ne5 14.f4 Nxd3 15.Rxd3 b4 16.Ne2
Bb7„
64
Position after: 16...Bb7„
This is clearly a double-edged position. White has the control over the centre, but we may react soon
with 17...Qc8 and 18...f5, for example.
9...b5!N
Once again, this is the kind of position where we are glad to have delayed ...Nbc6.
10.0-0-0
10.Bxa7 Rxa7 11.Qe3 Nbc6 This was already seen in 9.Bxa7.
10...b4! 11.Na4 d6!?
Again, let us consider that having delayed ...Nbc6 was an improvement for Black as he develops
more ideas to attack the knight on a4.
12.Qd2 a5 13.Bf1
65
Stockfish finds strange moves to keep the balance!
13...d5!
13...Bd7? 14.Bxa7 Rxa7 15.Qxd6+–
14.exd5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5 Nxd5 16.Bc5 Bxc5 17.Nbxc5 Nd7 18.Bb5 Ra7=
The knight on d5 is enough for Black to claim equality. Also, these typical endgames are usually
easier to play because the pawns on a5 and b4 are usually good blockers of White’s majority while
our centre can start rolling down the board.
j) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.0-0 Ne7
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3! Ba7!? 7.0-0
66
To conclude this chapter, we will examine every idea White may have after castling!
7...Ne7
As in the two previous subchapters, we can start with this flexible move.
8.Qe2
This is the main move here and it can arise from various move-orders.
A) 8.Nc3 Nbc6 This position was already analyzed in the subchapter about 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Nc3 Nc6
8.0-0 Nge7.
B) 8.c4 This was considered in the subchapter about 7.c4 Ne7 8.0-0.
C) 8.Kh1 Nbc6 9.f4
67
Position after: 9.f4
This kind of manoeuvre seems to me to be a bit slow, and we will quickly react in the centre. 9...0-0
10.Nc3 d5 11.e5 f6 12.exf6 Rxf6³ ½-½ (16) Leko, P (2630) – Ehlvest, J (2660) Cap d’Agde 1996.
D) 8.Bf4 This looks like a reasonable option for White with the idea of bringing the bishop to d6
paralyzing our centre. But we will not let that happen! 8...d5!
9.Nc3 [9.exd5 This is safe for White, but also very easy for us to play. 9...Nxd5 10.Bg3 Nc6=]
68
9...d4 10.Ne2 Nbc6 11.Bg3 e5 12.f4 exf4 13.Nxf4 0-0 14.Qh5 Ng6!= I do not have much to worry
about here even if Black lost in (39) Leko, P (2749) – Rublevsky, S (2677) Odessa 2007.
8...Nbc6
Position after: 8...Nbc6
9.Be3
The logical follow-up since White has played 8.Qe2.

A) 9.c4 0-0 See the subchapter that deals with 7.c4 Ne7 8.Qe2 0-0 9.0-0 Nbc6.
B) 9.Nc3 This line was seen in the subchapter about 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.0-0.
C) 9.Kh1 This is like 8.Kh1, but the fact that the bishop on d3 has no retreat gives us another
option. 9...0-0 10.f4 d5 11.e5 Nb4³ Black just takes the bishop pair.
9...0-0
As you probably understand, it is challenging to keep track of the opening thru all the possible
transpositions.
10.Bxa7
A) 10.c4 Once again a transposition, this time in the 7.c4 Ne7 8.0-0 line.
B) 10.Nc3 b5! 11.Rad1 d6 12.Bxa7 Rxa7 13.f4 Rd7„ It does not look easy for Black to do anything
with his centre. We are clearly getting ready to meet e5, and if White plays f5 he gives us the e5-
square for the knight.
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C) 10.N1d2!? This position occurred in a rapid game between two of the best players of the world.
There are different options for Black but let us see how the game went: 10...Ne5!? 11.Bxa7 Rxa7
12.f4 Nxd3 13.cxd3. Of course, White has the centre and more space, but it is absolutely safe for
Black on the kingside, and he has a bishop. 13...a5!
Caruana wants to bring his rook into play. 14.Qf2 Ra6 From there the rook can either come to c6 or
defend the kingside through the sixth rank. 15.Nd4 d6 16.Rac1 [16.f5!? Nc6! Black has everything
under control. 17.Nxc6 Rxc6 18.fxe6 Bxe6=] 16...Bd7 17.Nc4 b5 18.Ne3 Qb6 19.Nf3 Raa8= The
position soon entered an equal endgame that Caruana eventually lost but his position is fine right
now 1-0 (57) Anand, V (2759) – Caruana, F (2816) Leuven 2018.
10...Rxa7 11.c4
11.f4 Nb4 12.Nc3 Nxd3 13.cxd3 This is highly similar to Anand – Caruana Leuven 2018 above and
analysed in 10.N1d2. 13...b5! 14.Qe3 Rc7„
11...d5!
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In 2018, this position occurred in two high level games. White scored 1,5/2, but it doesn’t mean
Black is in trouble.
12.exd5 exd5 13.Rd1
Probably the best attempt by White.

13.Nc3 dxc4!?N [13...d4 Contrary to the main line, I am not fond of closing the centre here. 14.Ne4
Also the move 14.Na4 was a possible improvement for White. 14...Ng6 15.f4!ƒ 1-0 (46) Jakovenko,
D (2735) – Artemiev, V (2704) Poikovsky 2018.] 14.Bxc4 b5 15.Rfd1 Rd7 16.Bd3 Re8„ I do not
feel that White can create much play as this position is fairly symmetrical.
13...d4!?N
13...Re8 14.Nc3 d4
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Position after: 14...d4
This is what happened in Sethuraman, S (2657) – Yu, Y (2760) ½ – ½ (82) China 2018, but now
White has an annoying possibility: 15.Qc2! h6 16.Bh7+ Kh8 17.Be4² White will occupy the d5-
square and he has chances to grab d4 at some point.
14.N1d2 Ng6 15.Nf3!
Now we enter a line requiring precision.

15.Ne4?! f5 16.Ng3 b6!³
15...Bg4! 16.Qe4 h5!
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Position after: 16...h5!
17.h3 Re8
This is the point of playing 16...h5, we can gain this important tempo to bring the rook into play.
18.Qd5 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 Nce5 20.Qf5 b5!
An important move to quickly bring the rook into play.
21.cxb5 Nxd3 22.Qxd3 Nf4 23.Qf5 Ne2+ 24.Kh1 axb5 25.Qxb5 Rae7©
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Position after: 25...Rae7©
We have great play with the d-pawn, and on the kingside. I do not think this position will ever occur
in a real chess game, but it can give you some ideas for the middlegame!
Chapter Conclusion
As you can see this chapter is very demanding for anyone that wants to play the Kan Sicilian. It was
the most difficult for me to put together due to the move orders and transpositions and I have tried to
be as clear and thorough as possible. If you learn this chapter, then the rest of the book will be easy!
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Chapter 2
5.c4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4
Chapter Guide
Chapter 2 – 5.c4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6

a) 6.--
b) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Bd2, 7.Nc2 & 7.e5
c) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.f3, 7.Qc2 & 7.Qf3
d) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.--
e) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.-- & 9.e5
f) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.0-0
g) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qd3 0-0 8.Be2
h) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qd3 0-0 8.e5
a) 6.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4
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I consider this to be one of the main and most important variations against the Kan Sicilian. It is
ambitions move aimed at preventing ...b5 while also taking a good grip on the centre. Further, it is a
very reliable and solid system against which Black often struggles to breakthrough. In this first
subchapter, we will only consider the sidelines on the next move, which usually are quite harmless.
5...Nf6
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First, we ask White to make an immediate decision about defending his e4-pawn.
6.Bd3
White is trying to avoid the lines where ...Bb4 pins the knight on c3, but he does not protect the
knight on d4, and we should play based on this fact.
A) 6.Nc3 This logical move is obviously the main line and will be considered in all of the following
subchapters.
B) 6.e5? It is too soon for this move, but many White players have played it and Black responds
with the classical tactic 6...Qa5+! when Black grabs the e5-pawn.
Position after: 6...Qa5+!
7.Nc3 Qxe5+ 8.Be2 [8.Be3 Be7 9.Be2 0-0 10.0-0 Nc6³] 8...Nc6 There are several ways for Black
to reach a great position, but I like to challenge the d4-knight immediately while developing a piece.
9.Nf3 Qc7 10.0-0 Be7 11.Bg5 0-0 12.Rc1 h6 13.Bh4 d6µ It is like we have reached a typical
Scheveningen Sicilian where White is missing his e4-pawn which helps us react in the centre as in
Quet, J (1694) – Mirzoev, A (2527) Marseille 2016.
C) 6.f3?! This early move is often a mistake in the Sicilian. The reason is that it weakens the g1-a7
diagonal where the white king is meant to be once, he has castled. The logical reaction is to quickly
react in the centre if possible. 6...Nc6
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Black intends to follow with ...d5 even if it is already possible to play this move at once.
C1) 7.Be3 d5! Only rarely has Black gone for ...d5 here but it is quite logical. 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Nc3
[9.exd5? This would already be a catastrophic decision for White. 9...Nxd5 10.Bf2 Bb4+ 11.Nd2
Nxd4 12.Bxd4 0-0–+] 9...Be7 10.Be2 Nxd4! 11.Bxd4 dxe4 12.fxe4 0-0 13.0-0 Be6³ And I
already prefer Black’s healthy pawn structure while White has an isolated e-pawn and less pawn
cover for his king.
C2) 7.Nc3 d5!N Again, I find it really strange than almost nobody plays this logical move. 8.exd5
exd5 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Qd4!
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Position after: 11.Qd4!
It is vital for White to prevent ...Bc5. 11...Nxc3 12.Qxc3 Be7! 13.Be3 Taking any of the pawns
would slow White’s development. But just to be sure let us see what happens if he finishes his
development. 13...0-0 14.Rd1 Bh4+ 15.g3 Bf6 16.Qc5 Qc7= White has the better pawn structure
on the queenside, but he has a long-term kingside problem due to the pawns he already advanced.
It always creates weaknesses!
6...Nc6!
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Position after: 6...Nc6!
Black’s results with this variation have been impressive.
7.Nxc6
A) 7.Be3 This is the main alternative, and Black has a strong reply. 7...Ne5! It is a bit slow, but we
get the bishop pair. 8.0-0 Nfg4! 9.Bf4 g5!
A1) 10.Bg3 h5! 11.h3 h4! 12.Bxe5 [12.hxg4 hxg3–+] 12...Nxe5 13.Nc3 b6µ
A2) 10.Bxe5 Nxe5 11.Nc3 Bg7³ Black has great play on the dark squares.
A3) 10.Bc1 Qc7 11.Be2 Nxh2!
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Position after: 11...Nxh2!
12.Re1 [12.Kxh2?? Nf3+ 13.Kh3 Qh2+ 14.Kg4 Ne5+ 15.Kxg5 Be7#] 12...h5! 13.Bxg5 Rg8!‚
Black has great play and won quickly in Perez Bolanos – Maksimenko Lanzarote 2019.
B) 7.Nc2?! b5! 8.cxb5 axb5 9.0-0 [9.Bxb5? Qa5+ 10.Nc3 Nxe4µ] 9...b4 10.f4
10...Bc5+ [10...b3!N Even this move was super strong for Black. 11.axb3 Rxa1 12.Nxa1 Qb6+
13.Kh1 Nb4µ 14.Nc3? A logical way to protect e4 that fails after 14...Nxd3 15.Qxd3 Ba6–+]
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11.Kh1 Black played very aggressively with 11...h5 in Lobanov, S (2526) – Damljanovic, B (2495)
Skopje 2018, but I prefer the simple 11...d6 12.Nd2 0-0 13.Qe2 Bb7µ Black just has a great
position.
C) 7.Nf3 d5! It is quite clear that against this slow play by White, we can react in the centre and
open it. Almost nobody tries this, but I simply cannot see any problem. For instance: 8.exd5 exd5
9.0-0 Be7 10.cxd5 Nxd5=
7...dxc6!
Position after: 7...dxc6!
White takes on c6 in the Sicilian we generally take back with the b-pawn, but here it is stronger to
take back with the d-pawn to open the d-file.
8.0-0 e5
No strong player has ever played this position as White, and the computer already prefers Black. Let
us see why even if we do not examine every possible continuation for White.
9.Nc3
A) 9.Qe2 Bc5! 10.Nc3 Bg4 11.Qc2 0-0³ This is even worse as we have great control over the d4-
square.
B) 9.Be3 Preventing ...Bc5 does not work due to 9...Ng4! 10.Bc1 Bc5 11.h3 Nf6³.
9...Bc5!
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We have a strong square on d4 and the bishop on d3 feels really stupid, those are the two main
reasons why Black is better.
10.Bg5
10.h3 This is the signal for a strong blow. 10...g5!
11.Be2 [11.Bxg5? Rg8 12.Bh4 Bxh3–+] 11...Qe7 [11...Qxd1!? 12.Rxd1 Rg8µ] 12.Bxg5 Rg8 13.Bxf6
Qxf6 14.Bg4 Qg5 15.Qf3 Bxg4 16.Qxg4 Qxg4 17.hxg4 Rxg4µ Once again the knight on c3 is
completely dominated, as in Khakhutashvili, A (1796) – Janjgava, L (2469) Lagodekhi 2016.
10...h6 11.Bh4 g5!?
The centre is stabilized while we have the possibility to launch a kingside attack without fearing any
strong reaction by White.
12.Bg3 Qe7 13.Kh1 h5!
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14.f3 h4 15.Bf2 Bxf2 16.Rxf2 g4!µ
The threat is ...g3 and Black has great play, with no counterplay for White.
b) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Bd2, 7.Nc2 & 7.e5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3
84
This is clearly the main move here. White invites his opponent to come to b4 and pin his knight. His
idea is basically that if Black takes on c3 at any moment he will have great compensation on the dark
squares for the potentially weak pawn structure.
6...Bb4!?
Position after: 6...Bb4!?
Now White has a wild range of choices. In this subchapter we will consider logical moves that theory
does not favour. What do these moves all have in common? They do not defend the pawn on e4.
7.e5?!
With this move it appears that White does not care about the intrusion of the black knight, but he
should.
A) 7.Bd2 This sideline is not really played anymore, but it used to have its adepts. 7...0-0 8.e5 Bxc3
9.Bxc3 Ne4
85
Position after: 9...Ne4
This is actually funny. This line used to be played 50 years ago, by the greats such as Tal, Korchnoi
or Boleslavski. Then it was completely forgotten until Leinier Dominguez brought it back from the
dead in 2011, and it has appeared a couple of times after that, and then it went back to the grave
once again.
A1) 10.Bb4 d6! Of course, we react in the centre, and the threat is now 11...Nc6. 11.Qe2 Qb6
12.Nc2 Nc6 13.a3 This occurred a while ago in the game Kortschnoj, V – Furman, S Leningrad
1957. The game continuation can be improved with 13...a5!N 14.Bxd6 Nxd6 15.exd6 Qxb2
16.Qd2 Rd8³ Black has the healthier pawn structure and should claim a slight edge.
A2) 10.Qc2 Nxc3! [10...d5 Occurred in Tal, M – Jansa, V Prague 1960 but 11.Bb4!N 11...Re8
12.0-0-0ƒ might place Black in some trouble.] 11.Qxc3 d5
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This is the safest way. 12.Rd1 [12.exd6 Qxd6 13.Bd3 e5 14.Nc2 Nc6„] 12...Nc6 13.cxd5
[13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Be2 a5 15.0-0 Ba6=] 13...exd5 14.Nxc6 bxc6 White tends to have the better
pawn structure, but he lacks a few developing moves to be able to claim an advantage. 15.Qxc6
Qa5+ 16.Qc3 Qxa2= All this occurred in the game Dominguez Perez, L (2726) – Ivanchuk, V
(2776) Havana 2011.
B) 7.Nc2
87
Recently a few strong players have tried this as it forces Black to take and White wants to take
advantage of the dark squares. I think we should treat this line with more respect than the other two
in this subchapter. 7...Bxc3+ Of course if we are invited to, we have to take the knight. 8.bxc3 Nc6!
[8...Nxe4? This would be far from a good idea because of 9.Qg4! Nf6 10.Qxg7 Rg8 11.Qh6± when
Black will struggle to find a good spot for his king for the rest of the game.]
B1) 9.Bd3 This is a transposition into 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nc2 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 which will be analysed in
the 5th subchapter.
B2) 9.Ba3 Qa5!N
88
Position after: 9...Qa5!N
This logical challenging move is a novelty. 10.Qd3 d5! 11.Be2! [11.exd5 exd5 12.cxd5 Nxd5
13.Be2 Be6 14.0-0 Nf4 15.Qe3 Nxe2+ 16.Qxe2 0-0-0³] 11...Nxe4 12.cxd5 exd5 13.0-0 Be6
14.Rab1 b5= White has some compensation, but it is still a pawn for Black.
B3) 9.Qd3 d5! 10.cxd5 exd5 11.exd5 Qxd5 I really doubt Black can experience any problem in
this endgame with the more favorable pawn structure against the bishop pair. 12.Ba3 Be6 13.Qxd5
Nxd5 14.c4 Nb6 15.0-0-0 It was all seen in the game Almasi, I (2380) – Horvath, J (2520)
Budapest 1994, and now, I prefer: 15...Rd8 16.Be2 Nxc4µ.
B4) 9.f3
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As I already said, I dislike this kind of approach for White as I find it to be too weakening. 9...d5!
And when your opponent weakens the centre you may want to open the centre. 10.exd5 exd5
11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.c4 Qe7+ 13.Kf2! [13.Be2? Nc3 14.Qd3 Qxe2+ 15.Qxe2+ Nxe2 16.Kxe2
Be6µ] 13...Qc5+ 14.Ne3 Nxe3 15.Bxe3 Qe7= It is true the bishop pair in an open position
compensates for the weak pawn structure and the exposed king, but it cannot be more than equality
for White.
7...Ne4!
90
Position after: 7...Ne4!
8.Qg4
The most critical of White’s choices.

A) 8.Bd2 Bxc3 9.bxc3 Nxd2 10.Qxd2 d6!³ This just cannot be good for White as Black has
managed to damage White’s pawn structure.
B) 8.Qf3 This was tried once in a high-level game, and even if White won, Black responded with
the strong 8...Qa5!.
B1) 9.Qxe4 Bxc3+ 10.Kd1 [10.bxc3? Qxc3+ 11.Kd1 Qxa1 12.Bd3 Nc6–+] 10...Bxd4 11.Qxd4
Nc6³ Simply cannot be good for White.
B2) 9.Nc2 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 Qxe5
91
Position after: 10...Qxe5
[10...Nxc3! This was also strong, with the threat of taking on e5. 11.Qe3 Ne4+ 12.Ke2 d5µ]
11.Bf4 Qxc3+ 12.Qxc3 Nxc3 13.Be5 Na4 14.Bxg7 Rg8 15.Bh6 d6µ And Black had a healthy
extra-pawn, even if he eventually ended up losing in Jumabayev, R (2525) – Ivanchuk, V (2769)
Astana 2012, 1-0 (25).
8...Nxc3!
Position after: 8...Nxc3!
92
9.a3
This is the only challenging move.

A) 9.Qxg7?? Na4+ 10.Ke2 Rf8 11.Bh6 Nc6–+ White has nothing for the piece, the rook on f8 is
protected.
B) 9.Bd2? Nxa2 10.Rxa2 Bxd2+ 11.Kxd2 0-0–+
9...Bf8!
9...Ba5?? 10.Qxg7 Rf8 11.Bh6+– This time the rook on f8 is not protected.
10.bxc3 d6!
10...Qa5 This is interesting too, but the following line is clearly more complicated. 11.Qg3 d6
12.exd6 Bxd6 13.Qxd6 Qxc3+ 14.Kd1 Qxa1 15.Bd3∞
Position after: 15.Bd3∞
White has decent compensation for the exchange. While the position is extremely complicated the
computer just shows equality!
11.exd6 h5!N
93
I have previously seen this idea in the Alapin variation, and it looks like an improvement here.
12.Qg3 h4 13.Qe3 Bxd6³
I simply like Black’s bishop pair here.
c) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.f3, 7.Qc2 & 7.Qf3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4!?
94
Position after: 6...Bb4!?
Now we will have a look at moves that directly defend the pawn on e4.
7.Qc2
It’s more or less in the same spirit as 7.Qf3 as it protects both c3 and e4. Let’s see also other option.
A) 7.f3 First of all, what happens after this move? 7...0-0
95
A1) 8.Be3 Covering the dark squares makes sense but the computer finds a precise move-order.
8...Bxc3+ [8...Qc7 This would allow moves that defends the knight on c3 like 9.Rc1²] 9.bxc3
Qc7!N
Position after: 9...Qc7!N
10.Be2?! And now this logical move is met with 10...d5 11.cxd5 exd5 12.0-0 [12.e5 Qxe5 13.Qd2
Re8 14.Bf4 Qe7 15.0-0 Nc6³]
A2) 8.Be2 Qc7 9.0-0 d5!?
96
I am trying to show the most forcing lines but there are also calmer continuations as well. 10.cxd5
Bxc3 11.bxc3 exd5 12.Bg5! Nbd7 13.Nf5 dxe4 14.Qd4 Qe5 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.fxe4 Ne5= White
has some activity but Black is fine.
B) 7.Qf3 Qb6!
Position after: 7...Qb6!
I must confess that this is a computer move. Since it has rarely been played the idea remains new
and deserves to be played!
B1) 8.Be3!?N 8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Qa5 10.Rc1 d6 11.Be2 0-0 12.0-0 [12.g4!? It is an interesting try
to complicate the game with an early kingside attack. 12...Nbd7 13.g5 Ne5 14.Qg2 Ne8 15.f4
Ng6 16.0-0 e5!„] 12...Nbd7 13.Rfd1 Ne5 14.Qf4 Bd7= I believe Black is fine here.
B2) 8.Nc2 This is a logical move and the only one that has been played to date. 8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3
[9.Qxc3?! Nxe4³ 10.Qxg7?! Qxf2+ 11.Kd1 Qf6! 12.Qxf6 Nxf6µ] 9...d6
97
10.Ba3 [10.Bh6!? 0-0 11.Qg3 Ne8 12.Bg5 f6! It is necessary to prevent 13.Be7. 13.Bc1 Nd7=.
We had to play a few weird moves as White’s plan was really slow.] 10...Nbd7 11.Rd1 was
Tancsa, T (2089) – Poor, S (2179) Budapest 2019, after 11...Nc5!N 12.Qe3!? Bd7! looks like the
strongest and now Black may continue with: [12...Nfxe4 13.f3 Nf6 14.Qd4©] 13.e5 Ng4! 14.Qd4
Nxe5 15.f4 [15.Qxd6?! Qxd6 16.Rxd6 Ne4 17.Rd4 Nxc3³] 15...Ng6
Position after: 15...Ng6
98
16.Qxd6 Qxd6 17.Rxd6 Ne4 18.Rd4 f5³. Clearly the knight on d4 compensates for the bishop
pair, and we have the better pawn structure.
7...0-0!?
Position after: 7...0-0!?
Among Black’s options castling is the most flexible which leaves our options open.
8.Bd3
A) 8.e5!? Concrete and challenging. 8...Ng4
99
Position after: 8...Ng4
A1) 9.Qe2!?N This is a computer conception, and you will see a few moves that would be difficult
for a human to play. 9...Qa5! Attacking c3 and e5! 10.f4! Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qxc3+
Position after: 11...Qxc3+
12.Qd2! Qxd2+ [12...Qxa1?? 13.Nb3 Qb1 14.Bd3+–] 13.Bxd2 f6! 14.h3 fxe5 15.hxg4 exd4
16.Bd3© And White is temporarily two pawns down, but he has great bishops. It should be a
balanced endgame, interesting for both sides.
100
A2) 9.f4?! is compromising! This is the only move that was played here, but there might be
another option. 9...b5!N Gives really active play! [9...d6!? This is the logical move. 10.Nf3 dxe5
11.h3 Nh6 12.fxe5 Nf5 13.a3∞ This was played twice by GM Ninov, with decent results for
White.] 10.Bd3!
Position after: 10.Bd3!
[10.cxb5? Bc5 It is incredibly hard for White to hold since it looks too dangerous to move the
knight and abandon the f2-square. 11.Qe4 Ra7µ Black follows with 12...Bb7 with a great
position.] 10...f5! 11.exf6 Nxf6 12.a3! [12.cxb5 axb5 13.Ndxb5 Qb6© With amazing play for
Black.] 12...bxc4 13.Bxh7+! Nxh7 14.axb4 Bb7 15.0-0 Nc6 16.Nxc6 Bxc6ƒ I like Black in this
complicated opposite color bishop middlegame. Further, White was challenged to find the right
moves to reach this position.
B) 8.Be2 d5!
101
Black is strong enough in the centre and he should open it since White has not yet castled. 9.exd5
[9.e5?! dxc4! A smart intermediate move. 10.Nf3 Nd5 11.Bxc4 Qc7 12.Bxd5 exd5³] 9...exd5
B1) 10.0-0 dxc4 11.Rd1 Qc7 12.Bg5 Kovacevic, A (2541) – Nestorovic, D (2401) Sozina 2004
[12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 Nd7=] 12...Nbd7!=
B2) 10.Bg5 dxc4 11.0-0-0
Position after: 11.0-0-0
102
And now in the game Cafaro, L (2161) – Morello, G (2048) Nicolosi 2015, I prefer: [11.Rd1 Nbd7
12.0-0 Qc7 13.Bf3 Re8„] 11...Nbd7! 12.Nd5 Qa5! 13.Nxf6+ Nxf6 14.Bxf6 gxf6³. It is true that
our kingside is quite damaged, but the extra pawn and the bishop pair should give us the better
chances.
8...d5!
If you really need to win or just prefer positions with 8...d6 you can go for it, but 8...d5 seems to
equalize by force.
9.cxd5 exd5 10.e5?!
Obviously, this is what White wants to do from a positional point of view, but he has not yet castled.
10.exd5N This was probably necessary for White to keep the balance, but it cannot really be bad for
Black. 10...Qxd5ƒ
10...Re8 11.0-0
11.f4 Bc5 12.Nce2 Qb6
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Position after: 12...Qb6
We really want to challenge White on the dark squares. 13.Nb3 [13.Be3? Nc6µ] 13...Bf2+ 14.Kf1
Ng4! [14...Nc6!? 15.exf6 Nb4 16.Bxh7+ Kh8 17.fxg7+ Kxg7 18.Qc3+ Kxh7 19.Qf3 Be3!© Is also
interesting for Black but probably more double-edged.] 15.Bxh7+ Kh8 16.Bf5 Nc6 17.Bxg4 Bxg4
18.h3 Bd7µ White is in trouble.
11...Rxe5 12.Nf3?!
Position after: 12.Nf3?!
104
This position was seen in Navarro Cia, M (2274) – Ivanov, J (2377) ½ – ½ (20) Pamplona 2005, and
now I believe in the following weird move.
12...Rh5!
A very unusual square for the rook but it is hard for White to chase it and it can provide Black some
attacking chances on the kingside.
13.h3 Nc6 14.Ne2 Ne5! 15.Nxe5 Rxe5³
d) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4!? 7.Bd3
Position after: 7.Bd3
Historically, this move has been considered to be the main line of this variation. I could have
considered it later, but recently 7.Qd3 has been chosen in most of the top-level games so I think it
should have the status of the new main line.
7...Nc6
105
White is no longer defending his knight on d4 therefore it makes a lot of sense to challenge it. In this
first subchapter about 7.Bd3 we will consider only the sidelines.
8.Nc2
A) 8.Nxc6 This is the main move which will be covered in the next two subchapters.
B) 8.Be3 This is the most obvious response, but it does not mean it is great. 8...Ne5! We go for our
second threat. The bishop is not allowed to move since it would abandon either e4 or c4’s
protection. 9.0-0 Qc7!
106
Position after: 9...Qc7!
I like this move as it threatens c4 with an attack on h2 after ...Neg4.

B1) 10.Rc1? The most played move which does not consider the prior comment. 10...Neg4! 11.g3
Nxe3 12.fxe3 Bxc3 This exchange is not necessary, but it is a decent idea to avoid unpleasant
surprises. 13.Rxc3 b6 14.Qc2 d6³ Ryznar, V (2180) – Tukmakov, V (2581) Pula 1999
B2) 10.h3 Bxc3! 11.bxc3 b6ƒ
B3) 10.f3 b5!N 11.cxb5 Bxc3 12.Rc1 [12.bxc3 Qxc3µ With a bishop like problem for White.]
12...Bxd4! 13.Rxc7 Bxe3+ 14.Kh1 0-0³ Black has 3 pieces for the queen, and amazing play,
especially on the dark squares.
C) 8.Bc2 Ne5!
107
We can apply the same approach as after 8.Be3, because it is really hard for White to protect c4.
9.0-0 [9.Qe2?! Qc7 10.Bb3 b5!µ This is something you clearly want to avoid with White. You
cannot take on b5 due to the pressure on c3.] 9...d6 [9...Nxc4 This has been played most of the time,
but it may give White too much activity. 10.Qe2 Qc7 11.Bb3 Ne5 12.Bg5©] 10.f4 Nxc4 11.Kh1
Ivanisevic, I (2641) – Horvath, C (2497) Hungary 2017 11...Bxc3! 12.bxc3 0-0³ White does not
seem to have enough.
D) 8.Nde2 Is a solid move but we should still be in time to open the centre even if we have other
choices. 8...d5!? 9.exd5 exd5 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.0-0 Nxc3 12.bxc3!
108
Position after: 12.bxc3!
This has been played by the strongest and most ambitious players as it is more active despite giving
White a poor pawn structure. [12.Nxc3 0-0= This should not give you any worry as the pawn
structure is completely symmetrical and harmless.] 12...Bd6 13.Qc2 h6 The most logical move
before castling. Now, White has a couple of options we need to check.
D1) 14.Ng3 0-0 15.Ne4 Be7 16.Bf4 Bf5! 17.Nf6+ White gets the bishop pair, but Black takes
over the initiative. The following game quickly ended in a draw despite White being much
stronger. 17...Bxf6 18.Bxf5 Qa5 19.Bd2
109
Kazhgaleyev, M (2594) – Akhmetov, A (2311) Almaty 2017

D2) 14.Bf4 [14.Bh7 This is one of the computer’s suggestions, but it is a bit sick so I will just
mention it. 14...Qc7„] 14...Bxf4 15.Nxf4 0-0 16.Rfd1 All this occurred in the game Drinovec, A
(2190) – Rusjan, M (2205) Gostovanja 2010. And now, I think 16...Qg5 is a nice improvement.
17.g3 Bg4ƒ
8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3
This position could also have occurred via 7.Nc2 as we saw in one of the previous subchapters.
9...d5!
I want to make this idea work when White has more or less abandoned the centre.
10.exd5
10.cxd5 This is less flexible because White does not really have other options on the next move.
10...exd5 11.exd5 transposes into the main line with 11.cxd5.
10...exd5 11.Ba3
This appears to be the only critical continuation.

A) 11.Qe2+ Be6 12.Ba3 This is just a worse version than 11.Ba3 for White since ...Be6 is clearly
110
more usual than Qe2.
B) 11.0-0 Leaving Black the possibility to castle easily just makes his life easier. 11...0-0 12.Ne3
Be6 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Qc2 h6= Jianu, V (2397) – Parligras, M (2431) Targoviste 2001.
C) 11.cxd5 Qxd5! 12.0-0 0-0
In these middlegames White always keeps a slight initiative due to the bishop pair, but if we can
manage to balance the initiative, we retain the healthier pawn structure. 13.Ne3 Qc5 14.Nc4 Gomez
Garrido, C (2527) – Gonzalez Zamora, J (2499) Merida 2016. 14...b5! 15.Ba3 Qa7! And now White
does not really have anything better than to take on f8 giving up 2 pieces for a rook. 16.Bxf8 bxc4
17.Bxc4 Kxf8 18.Qd6+ Ne7 19.Rfe1 Qd7=
11...Be6! 12.Qe2 Qa5 13.0-0 0-0-0!
Obviously, it looks dangerous for Black, but it is not that easy to organize an attack with White, and
the computer actually loves Black.
111
Position after: 13...0-0-0!
14.c5
A) 14.Bb4 Qc7 15.cxd5 Nxd5 16.Bc4 Rhe8³

B) 14.Rfb1 dxc4 15.Bxc4 Rhe8 I do not see a real chance for White’s attack to succeed while we
have great activity in the centre. 16.Bb4 Qc7 17.Ne3 Bf5 18.Rd1 Ng4 19.Rxd8+ Nxd8! 20.g3 Nxe3
21.fxe3 Be6³
14...Rhe8 15.Rfb1 Bd7 16.Qd1 Ne4! 17.Bb4 Qc7ƒ
Black also enjoys a lot of piece activity.
e) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.-- & 9.e5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4!? 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nxc6
112
Position after: 8.Nxc6
This is probably the strongest continuation. As we saw in the previous subchapter, bringing the knight
back into White’s camp does not yield much chance of an advantage.
8...dxc6
Again, the decision between which pawn should take is easy, we want to open the d-file and be able
to use the weak d4-square. In this subchapter we will consider two sidelines, before considering 9.0-0
in the following subchapter.
9.e5
9.Qc2?! This is a naive move by White, because his opponent’s move is quite clear, and the queen is
going to be quite useless here. 9...e5! 10.0-0 [10.Bg5 h6 11.Bh4 0-0 12.0-0 Be6 13.Rfd1 Be7³ Riand,
J (2005) – Tukmakov, V (2581) Mendrisio 1999.] 10...Bc5!
113
Position after: 10...Bc5!
This immediately takes away any possibility for White to play Bc1-e3, and Black has full control
over d4. 11.Bg5 h6³ 12.Bxf6? This is exactly what White should not do. After this move, he has no
chance to control the d4-square. 12...Qxf6 13.Na4 Bd4 14.Rac1 0-0 15.Kh1 Be6 16.b3 Rad8µ Bilsky,
M (1751) – Gruenfeld, Y (2445) Kaunas 2013.
9...Qd4!
Position after: 9...Qd4!
114
We do not want to move the knight away therefore Black counter attacks as the tactics work. White
has given up on this line.
9...Qa5 This is just another option to enter the same variation. 10.exf6 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qxc3+
10.exf6
10.0-0 Has been played from time to time, but I do not believe in this move. 10...Qxe5 11.Re1 Qc7 It
is true White has gained a few tempi, but these cannot be worth a central pawn. 12.Bg5 Be7 13.Qf3
h6 14.Bf4 Bd6 15.Bxd6 Qxd6³ And even if the computer says it is equal, I would definitely take
Black’ side here.
10...Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qxc3+
Black will either take the bishop on d3 or the rook on a1.
12.Bd2
12.Qd2?! White tries to complicate things but this is not sound. 12...Qxa1
A) 13.fxg7?! Qxg7 14.0-0 e5!
115
A strong move which brings the bishop into play. Black converted his extra-exchange quite easily in
the following game. 15.f4 Bh3 16.Be4 f5 17.Bf3 Bg4 18.Bb2 Rd8 19.Qe2 Rg8 20.Bxg4 Qxg4
21.Qxe5+ Kd7 22.g3 Rge8–+ 0-1 (33) Moliboga, V (2329) – Perun, S (2347) Kiev 2004.
B) 13.0-0 Qxf6 14.Bb2 Qe7! The “threat” is simply to castle. 15.Bxg7 Rg8
Position after: 15...Rg8
Black has won every game in this position. Here are 3 illustrative games.
116
B1) 16.Qb2?? This one was a very short one. 16...Qg5–+ 0-1 (16) Spaan, T (2284) – Nijboer, F
(2529) Amsterdam 2005.
B2) 16.Bc3 f6! 17.f4 and in the game 0-1 (52) Janssen, H (2285) – Quinteros, M (2525) Baden –
Baden 1985, I would now suggest: 17...e5! 18.fxe5 f5³ with 19...Be6 to follow and a great
position.
B3) 16.Qh6 f5 17.Bf6 Rg6! This simply transposes into a great endgame. 18.Qxg6+ hxg6 19.Bxe7
Kxe7 20.c5 e5–+ Libiszewski, F (2458) – Hansen, S (2551) Playchess.com INT 2003
12...Qxd3 13.fxg7 Rg8
Position after: 13...Rg8
White has tried several moves here. Following are the 3 main choices.
14.Bh6!
A) 14.Qg4 e5! 15.Qg5 Bf5! 16.Qf6 Rd8! Black wants to castle by hand while White is unable to do
so. 17.Qxe5+ Kd7! 18.Rd1 Kc8 19.Qe2 Up to here, Black has played a great game in Almasi, I
(2370) – Farago, I (2515) Budapest 1994, but here he missed: 19...Rge8 20.Be3 Qc3+ 21.Kf1
Qxg7–+. White can’t hold due to the many threats on the light squares.
B) 14.Bg5 Qc3+!
117
Position after: 14...Qc3+!
15.Kf1
B1) 15...Qxc4+? This intermediate move is simply losing because it abandons the f6-square.
16.Kg1 Bd7 [16...Qd5 17.Bf6+–] 17.Qd6+–
B2) 15...Bd7! 16.Rb1 [16.h4?! Qxg7 17.Rb1 f6! 18.Qh5+ Qg6!N A good improvement over the
previous games that reached this position where Black struggled a bit. 19.Qxg6+ Rxg6 20.Be3 0-0-
0µ] 16...Qxc4+
118
17.Kg1 Rxg7 18.Rxb7 Qd5 19.Qxd5 cxd5 20.h4 Rc8³ when only Black can play for a win.
14...Qc3+ 15.Kf1 Qf6 16.Qc1! e5
Position after: 16...e5
If Black manages to castle safely, he will have a great position.
17.Rb1 Be6!
This is the move I like the most, giving away b7, but accelerating development.
18.Rxb7™ 18...0-0-0! 19.Ra7
19.Rb1 The only other choice by White occurred in this game. 19...Bf5 20.Rb3 Bd3+ 21.Kg1 Be2
22.Bd2 1-0 (55) Solodovnichenko, Y (2461) – Kaszowski, D (2309) Poznan 2003 22...Rxg7³ And it
seems that Black has the better chances, mainly due to the awful rook on h1.
19...Qh4™
119
Position after: 19...Qh4™
The idea is simply to take on c4.
20.Ra8+
20.Qb1 Qxc4+ 21.Ke1 Qc3+ 22.Kf1 Qc4+ 23.Ke1 ½-½ (23) Petrisor, A (2242) – Kveinys, A (2522)
Cappelle la Grande 2009. [23.Kg1 Qb5³]
20...Kc7 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.h3 Qxc4+ 23.Qxc4 Bxc4+ 24.Ke1
120
Position after: 24.Ke1
Black has some activity, but the pawn on g7 is simply too strong to hope for more than equality.
However, White does not yet have a draw as the following game shows.
24...f5 25.g4 Bd5 26.f3 Bxf3 27.Rf1 Rd1+ 28.Kf2 Rxf1+ 29.Kxf1 Bd5 30.gxf5 Bxa2=
Objectively, it should be a draw, but the many passed pawns makes White’s life difficult. Black went
on to win in Vandevoort, P (2364) – Kveinys, A (2537) Charleroi 2007.
f) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.0-0
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4!? 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nxc6 dxc6 9.0-0
This has scored badly for White, but it is the main line and I think that it is White’s best chance
compared to the rest.
9...e5!
121
As we will see, the main debate in this variation is control of the d4-square.
10.Qe2
Not the most played move, but with a recent game featuring Caruana as Black it may become the
main one in the future. It is also quite logical as it controls the e3-square. White is ready to meet
...Bc5 with Be3.
A) 10.Qc2 This was already analysed in the subchapter with 9.Qc2.
B) 10.a3 Bc5!
122
If White wants to encourage us to move to d4 we are happy to comply! We no longer with to take
on c3 as it would enable White to control the d4-square. 11.Bg5 [11.b4 Bd4 12.Bb2 0-0³] 11...h6
12.Bh4 Qe7µ
C) 10.Ne2?! This is simply too slow; the response is simply 10...Bc5.
C1) 11.a3 a5!
123
As we do not have the d4-square under full control it is important to secure the bishop on c5. 12.b3
0-0 13.Bb2 Qe7 14.Ng3 Rd8 15.Qc2 h5!? A nice idea against a knight moving to g3. 16.Be2 And
now in the game Katai, D (2224) – Nemeth, A (2279) Hungary 2012, I would prefer: 16...h4!
17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.exf5 Bd4µ. We will have a middlegame with a strong knight against a bad bishop
and good control over d4.
C2) 11.Ng3 h5!N
124
It is possible to be aggressive with this move this early in the game. 12.Bg5 h4 13.Nf5 Bxf5
14.exf5 Qd4! The plan is clear, we will castle long and have good pressure on the centre and the
kingside. 15.Qe2 0-0-0 16.Rad1 e4 17.Bb1 Qe5µ
D) 10.h3 At least this move has an idea as it secures the e3 square for the bishop. 10...0-0 11.Be3
Nd7!
Position after: 11...Nd7!
Black is willing to trade the dark-square bishops and in the meantime brings the knight closer to d4.
12.Ne2?! [12.Qf3 Bc5 13.Rfd1 Qe7= This is equal according to the engine, but I think that it is
much easier to find a plan as Black.] 12...Bc5! 13.Qc1 Qe7 14.Bd2 Rd8³ Black is better and
eventually won in Farago, S (2334) – Gonda, L (2317) Budapest 2003, 0-1 (54).
E) 10.Bg5?! h6 11.Bh4
125
Position after: 11.Bh4
Generally speaking, I do not like White’s last couple of moves. I feel the bishop does not have much
to do on h4 and it is now very far from the d4-square therefore let’s take control of it! 11...Bc5!
E1) 12.Qc2 Qe7 [12...g5!?‚ This was also possible.] 13.Rab1? A bit mistake not considering
Black’s ideas. 13...g5 14.Bg3 h5! 15.h4 Ng4!
126
Position after: 15...Ng4!
The attack is too powerful. If Black plays well there is nothing White can do. 16.b4 gxh4 17.Bh2
h3 18.g3 [18.bxc5 hxg2 19.Kxg2 Nxh2–+ 20.Kxh2 Qh4+ 21.Kg2 Qh3+ 22.Kg1 Rg8#] 18...Qf6
19.Qe2 Bd4 20.Nd1 h4 21.Kh1 Rg8–+ It is a devastating attack for Black as in Belyaev, A (2089)
– Stukopin, A (2439) Taganrog 2010.
E2) 12.Na4 Inviting the bishop to d4 cannot be much better. 12...Bd4 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 14.c5 Be6
15.Qc2 Rd8 16.Rac1 h5!
127
Black’s attack just flows naturally from the position. 17.Bc4 h4 18.Bxe6 Qxe6 19.Qb3 Qxb3!
Should White survive the ending will be awful for him. 20.axb3 h3 21.g3 0-0–+ Baciu, A (2130) –
Muzychuk, A (2545) Brasov 2011.
10...0-0 11.a3
11.Bg5?! h6 12.Bh4
Position after: 12.Bh4
Once again, the bishop goes toward the wrong diagonal. 12...Bc5 13.Kh1 [13.Rad1?? g5 14.Bg3
Bg4–+] 13...g5 14.Bg3 Qe7 15.Rad1 Rd8³
11...Bc5 12.Be3!
128
Position after: 12.Be3!
It looks very logical for White to contest the d4-square.
12...Bd4 13.Bxd4
13.h3 Be6 14.Rad1 Nd7ƒ If feel that here also, Black remains on top in this game.
And now, instead of taking back immediately, a possible improvement for Black from the game
Corrales Jimenez, F (2559) – Caruana, F (2828) Chess.com INT 2019, would be:
13...Bg4! 14.Qc2
14.f3 Qxd4+ 15.Kh1 Be6 16.Rfd1 Rfd8³
129
Position after: 16...Rfd8³
It is hard for White to move anything without losing something.
14...Qxd4
The fact that White does not have access to the d1-square is really annoying for him.
15.Rfe1 Rfd8 16.Bf1 Qd2!?
16...Rd7?! 17.h3 Bh5?? 18.g4 Bg6 19.g5 Nh5 20.Rad1+–
17.Qxd2
17.Rac1 Qxc2 18.Rxc2 Rd4³
17...Rxd2 18.f3 Be6³
130
Position after: 18...Be6³
Objectively the position is close to equality but Black is the only one who can hope for a real
advantage as his position is easier to play.
g) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qd3 0-0 8.Be2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4!? 7.Qd3!
Position after: 7.Qd3!
131
As I said earlier this move has not been played as much as 7.Bd3, but nowadays everybody is playing
7.Qd3. Finding the best continuation for Black is not easy therefore I have decided to use the one that
has brought Black the most success, although that is not the only reason!
7...0-0!?
You might think this is the most played, but it is not. There are other interesting options for Black
such as 7...d6, 7...d5 or 7...Qc7, but here it is my preference. I like that it is the same answer as after
7.Qc2, which makes the choice very logical. Now White has two options but only one of them is
challenging.
8.Be2?!
This is the other main move. The reason is that it is clearly a logical move, but it does not seem to be
precise.
A) 8.e5! It has to be seen as the only dangerous move, and it will be analysed in the next subchapter.
B) 8.Nc2?!
Position after: 8.Nc2?!
This has only rarely been played, and it is quite harmless as shown in the following game. 8...Bxc3+
9.bxc3 [9.Qxc3? Nxe4³] 9...d5 10.exd5 exd5 11.Be2 Nc6 12.cxd5 Qxd5 13.Qxd5 Nxd5 14.Bd2
Re8³ This occurred in the game Tiglon, B (2392) – Paragua, M (2506) Berkeley 2018.
8...d6!
It stops e4-e5 and prepares ...Nbd7.
132
9.0-0
A) 9.f3?! d5!N
Position after: 9...d5!N
There is also 9...Nbd7 which is fine for Black, but this natural move is my preference. 10.cxd5
[10.exd5 exd5 11.0-0 Re8 12.cxd5 Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Qxd5³] 10...exd5 11.exd5 Nxd5 12.0-0 Bc5³
White clearly regrets his ninth move.
B) 9.Nc2 This is the strongest for White against the variation with 7...d6 for Black instead of 7...0-0.
But with Black already castled there is a big difference. 9...Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 [10.Qxc3?! Nxe4³ Here
is the difference with 7...d6, here White cannot take on g7.] 10...Nbd7 11.f3
133
[11.Ba3 Nc5 12.Bxc5 dxc5= And a draw was agreed in Vokarev, S (2457) – Zubov, A (2601)
Pavlodar 2015. Indeed, White cannot be better.] 11...Nc5 12.Qe3 Qc7!?N 13.0-0 Bd7 14.Rb1 Rfe8ƒ
Black has ideas such as ...Rac8, ...Ba4, and ...d5 at some point which ensures him a good position.
9...Nbd7!
Position after: 9...Nbd7!
134
This move has the obvious threat of ...Nc5 leaving White with problems on e4. Further, White has no
good way to prevent the maneuver.
10.f3
A) 10.Qc2 This was tried in a few games, especially by Jakovenko, but it does not seem to be
accurate. 10...Bxc3! 11.bxc3 Nc5 12.f3 Qc7 13.Be3 Bd7 14.Qd2 e5 15.Nb3 Be6 16.Rfd1 Rfd8
17.Bg5 Jakovenko, D (2710) – Andreikin, D (2708) Sochi 2017 17...Na4! 18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.Rac1
Bxc4³
B) 10.Rd1
Position after: 10.Rd1
This was played in a recent blitz game, but it does not parry Black’s threat. 10...Nc5 11.Qc2 Bxc3!
12.Qxc3 Ncxe4 13.Qa3 e5 14.Nb3 Le, Q (2709) – Quparadze, G (2463) Chess.com INT 2020.
14...d5! 15.cxd5 Ng4! 16.Rf1 Ngxf2ƒ … 17.Rxf2?! Qb6! 18.Nc5 Qxc5 19.Qxc5 Nxc5µ
10...Ne5 11.Qd1
11.Qc2 Bd7
135
Position after: 11...Bd7
12.Be3 [12.Qb3 Bc5 13.Be3 Nc6 14.Rad1 Qc7³ White is clearly under pressure, and we are close to
playing ...b5.] 12...Rc8 13.Qb3 Bxc3 14.Qxc3 Nxc4 15.Bxc4 d5 16.e5 Ne8=
11...Qc7
Position after: 11...Qc7
12.Qb3 Bc5 13.Be3 Nc6 14.Qd1
136
This position has been reached 5 times and the refutation illustrates White’s problems.
14.Rad1 e5! Wins a piece! 15.Nf5 Na5 16.Qc2 Bxf5–+
14...Qb6!
Only played once but clearly the strongest.
15.Na4™ 15...Bxd4 16.Nxb6 Bxe3+ 17.Kh1 Bxb6 18.Qxd6
White has a queen and a pawn for 3 pieces, but he will be completely dominated on the dark squares.
I do not like his chances.
18...Rd8
Objectively stronger is 18...e5!.
19.Qf4 e5 20.Qg5 h6 21.Qc1 Nd4
This was clearly a nightmare for Smirnov to play, in Smirnov, T (2324) – Harutjunyan, G (2407)
Moscow 2018.
h) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qd3 0-0 8.e5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4!? 7.Qd3! 0-0!? 8.e5!
137
Position after: 8.e5!
As we saw in the previous subchapter, other moves are quite harmless for Black.
8...Ne8
8...Ng4? Against 7.Qc2, this is the continuation we explored, but there is a major difference: 9.Qg3!
Qa5 10.Bf4+– And the knight is in trouble.
9.Bf4
With this move, White shows his intentions to castle long.

A) 9.Nc2 Ba5!?N
138
Position after: 9...Ba5!?N
Most players came back to e7, but I would like to suggest this move which keeps the bishop on a
more active square. For instance, it still prevents Ne4 from being playable.
A1) 10.Bf4 Nc6 11.Be2 b5! This is one of the reasons why the bishop is strong on e5. Since the
knight is pinned to the king Black gets in this excellent counterpunch. 12.cxb5 axb5 13.a3
[13.Qxb5?? Ba6 14.Qa4 Bxe2 15.Kxe2 Bxc3–+] 13...Ba6 14.b4 Bc7 15.Qe3 Bb6 16.Qd2 f6ƒ
A2) 10.Qg3 Nc6 11.Bd3 d6 12.exd6 Qxd6=
A3) 10.b4 Bc7 11.f4 Nc6 12.Be2 d6 13.exd6 Nxd6 14.0-0 Nf5³
139
Position after: 14...Nf5³
White has probably advanced too many pawns; his position is unstable.
B) 9.a3 Bxc3+ 10.Qxc3 d6!
Black needs to quickly react in the centre. 11.exd6 [11.Nf3 dxe5 12.Nxe5 f6 13.Nd3 Nd6 14.Be2
Nf5! Black is going to have full control over the d4-square. 15.0-0 Nc6 16.Rd1 Ncd4 17.Bf1 e5„
Zarubitski, V (2415) – Fedorov, A (2557) Orsha 2019.] 11...Nxd6 12.Be2 e5 13.Nc2 Nc6 14.0-0
Bf5= Again, in Favarel, J (2333) – Maze, S (2554) Chartres 2019 Black is trying to get rid of the
knight on c2 to reach d4.
C) 9.Be2
140
Position after: 9.Be2
This is a really natural move. It has been played more often than 9.Bf4, but I consider it to be less
dangerous because White is not going to long caste. 9...d6 Of course we need to react in the centre.
C1) 10.Nf3 Nc6 11.a3 Qa5!?N 12.Ng5 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 f5 14.exf6 Nxf6 15.0-0 d5² Objectively
there is slight edge for White, but the position is fully playable for Black.
C2) 10.Nc2 Ba5 11.exd6 Qxd6 12.Qxd6 Nxd6 This is similar to many positions we will consider,
and it worked well for Black in this game. 13.b4 Bc7 14.Bf4 Nc6„ It occurred in Balogh, C
(2598) – Miezis, N (2456) Brest 2019.
C3) 10.exd6 Nxd6 11.0-0 e5 12.Nb3 Nc6!?N
141
Position after: 12...Nc6!?N
13.Nd5 Be6 14.a3 Ba5 15.Rd1 Rc8„ The computer always tends to favour White in these
positions, but the plan seems much easier for Black, who at some point will advance in the centre
with ...e4 and some good prospects.
9...d6
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10.exd6!
It seems that it is a bit harder to meet this move, even if it has been played less often.
10.Nc2 Bxc3+ 11.Qxc3 dxe5 12.Rd1 [12.Bxe5 Nc6 13.Rd1 Qe7 This transposes into 12.Rd1.]
12...Qe7 13.Bxe5 Nc6 14.Be2 [14.Bd3 Nxe5 15.Qxe5 Nf6 16.0-0 b6 17.Ne3 Bb7 18.Nf5 Qc5³]
14...Nxe5 15.Qxe5 Bd7 16.0-0 Nf6!?N
Position after: 16...Nf6!?N
Two games continued with 16...Rac8, but I would rather develop the knight. If White is still better, it
is a tiny advantage. 17.Ne3 Rfe8!? 18.Bf3 Bc6 19.Bxc6 bxc6 20.Rd3 a5„ Black will have some
counterplay on the b-file which should compensate his weaker pawn structure.
10...Bxd6
10...Nxd6? 11.0-0-0± And Black is in a difficult position due to pressure down the d-file.
11.Bxd6
11.Nb3 Qe7 12.Bxd6 Nxd6 13.Rd1 [13.0-0-0 Nf5„ It is not clear who has the better prospects in this
position with kings on opposite sides; but I think White was not so confident here.] 13...Nf5 14.Be2
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And now, in Magem Badals, J (2522) – Delchev, A (2554) Barcelona 2019, I would play 14...Nc6
15.0-0 b6 16.Rfe1 Rd8 17.Qh3 Rxd1 18.Rxd1 Bb7=.
11...Qxd6 12.0-0-0
Maybe White can keep a slight advantage here. But Black is solid, and the position feels really
144
playable. A couple of games continued with 12...Nd7. Another option for White is 12.Rd1 e5 13.Nf5
Solodovnichenko, Y – Miezis, N (2516) Baden 2019 13...Qb4!N 14.Rd2 Bxf5 15.Qxf5 Nc6 16.Bd3
g6 17.Qg5 Nc7 18.0-0 Ne6„ I really like routing the knight to d4 here.
12...Bd7!? 13.Be2 Qf4+ 14.Rd2 Nf6 15.Qg3
15.g3 Qc7 16.Rhd1 Nc6 17.Nb3 e5!„ White has a small initiative due to the d-file, but it is only
temporary.
15...Qxg3 16.hxg3 Nc6 17.Nb3
17.Rhd1 Nxd4 18.Rxd4 Bc6 19.f3 Rfc8 This is similar as our king is heading toward e7.
17...Ne7 18.Rhd1 Bc6=
Position after: 18...Bc6=
Even here I do not think White has real possibilities to keep the initiative in the long term.
Chapter Conclusion
I think the only system that can be a problem from a theoretical point of view is this line with 7.Qd3
which is what most of the best players are playing nowadays. With my current analysis I sometimes
do not maintain full equality with Black, but the results are totally fine for Black. The reason behind
this is that it is hard to keep an edge with White. We are slightly worse, but we have an easy plan to
follow!
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Chapter 3
5.Nc3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3
Chapter Guide
Chapter 3 – 5.Nc3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5

a) 6.Be3
b) 6.Be2
c) 6.g3 Bb7 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.--
d) 6.g3 Bb7 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.a3
e) 6.g3 Bb7 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.0-0
f) 6.a3 Bb7 7.-- & 7.Be2
g) 6.a3 Bb7 7.Be3
h) 6.a3 Bb7 7.Bd3
i) 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.--, 7..0-0 Nc6 8.-- - Sidelines
j) 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Nxc6 Bxc6 9.--
k) 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Nxc6 Bxc6 9.Re1
146
a) 6.Be3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3
During my youth I often heard my coaches tell me “Do not play Nc3 against the Kan, it will only get
you into trouble after ...b5.”. That is probably why I have not been concerned about doing this
chapter, and it also explains why, in my mind, it should only come in third position of the most
dangerous variations by White although it is played more often by White than 5.c4. Nevertheless,
keep in mind that it is a very natural continuation, and it cannot really be bad for White. Also, what is
difficult in this chapter is the multiple possible transpositions into different chapters or subchapters.
5...b5!
Always trust your coaches! This move aims at quickly counterattacking in the centre, especially
targeting the e4-pawn. White has a wide choice of replies, and we will start by examining two bishop
moves that are not as common as other replies.
5...Qc7 This is also a main line here, even more so than 5...b5, but it usually transposes either in the
Taimanov Sicilian, or the Scheveningen, and those are not the subject of this book.
6.Be3
Neither 6.Be3 nor the other move, 6.Be2 (which will be analyzed in the next subchapter) try to
defend e4. And I think that those who play these moves are only looking for logical development,
even if it is not the most accurate way.
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6...Bb7
Position after: 6...Bb7
7.Bd3
White develops his bishop while protecting the pawn on e4.

A) 7.a3 A few players tried this move here, but it is just a transposition into the subchapter about
6.a3.
B) 7.Be2? Careless play leads to a loss of a pawn for White. 7...b4 8.Na4 Bxe4³
C) 7.f3 Qc7 8.Qd2
148
Position after: 8.Qd2
I think this is the only logical plan after 7.f3, White must try to castle on the queenside and launch
an attack on the kingside. 8...Nf6
C1) 9.a3?! Nc6 10.0-0-0 I do not see how this could be right for White. [10.Be2 Be7 11.0-0 In
general, playing f3 and 0-0 together is not a great idea. The aim of having a pawn on f3 is to play
g2-g4 which is pointless when White castles shot. 11...Ne5³] 10...b4! 11.axb4 Bxb4³
149
C2) 9.0-0-0 b4!
First, White needs to find a spot for his knight.

C2.1) 10.Na4 d5 [Here 10...e5?? clearly backfires. 11.Nf5 d5 12.Nb6+–] 11.e5 Nfd7 12.f4 Nc6=
Position after: 12...Nc6=
White has some issues with the knight on a4, but he has managed to close the centre. The game
should be objectively balanced. Here White misplayed in the following game. 13.Kb1? Nxd4
150
14.Qxd4 Rc8 15.Bd3 Bc6 16.Nb6 Bc5! 17.Qxc5 Nxc5 18.Nxc8 Nb7 19.Na7 Ba4–+ Black was
winning although he failed to convert in Lopez Silva, H (2414) – Vasquez Schroder, R (2545)
Santiago de Chile 2014.
C2.2) 10.Nce2 This has occurred in the majority of games. 10...e5! This is very strong and the
only way to ensure opening the centre. 11.Nf5 d5! 12.exd5 Nxd5
13.Bg5?! [13.Bf2 Nd7 14.Kb1 g6 15.Ne3 N7b6³] 13...Nd7 14.Kb1 N7b6! Black quietly
develops his pieces before chasing away his opponent’s pieces. 15.Nc1 h6 16.Bh4 g6 17.Ne3
Bg7µ Novgorodskij, V (2370) – Papin, V (2475) Moscow 2008
7...Qc7
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Among several good continuations for Black, this is the main and possibly the most logical one.
8.f4
Less played, but we are transposing into another (more important) variation.
8.0-0 Nf6
A) 9.a3 See the next subchapter for variations with a2-a3.
B) 9.f4 b4! 10.e5 bxc3 11.exf6 cxb2
152
Position after: 11...cxb2
White remains worse in every variation here. 12.Rb1 [12.fxg7 Bxg7 13.Rb1 Nc6 14.c3 Ne7
15.Rxb2 Nd5ƒ] 12...gxf6 13.Rxb2 Nc6³ Kersic, M (2159) – Horvath, J (2551) Feffernitz 2008.
C) 9.f3 Such a move is normally designed for a kingside attack, and White should long castle
otherwise it just creates a weakness. 9...Nc6 10.Nxc6 Bxc6 11.a3 d5³
Position after: 11...d5³
The position is about to open and White will regret such moves as f3 and the exposed position of his
153
bishops.
8...Nf6 9.Qf3
9.e5 Bxg2!?N 9...b4 is a decent alternative that has been played, but I do not see any objective reason
to avoid this line. 10.Rg1 Nd5 11.Qd2 Nxe3 12.Qxe3 Bb7 13.0-0-0 Nc6³
9...Nc6
With a strange move order, we have transposed in a position that usually occurs in the Taimanov and
is not a great one for White.
10.0-0-0
A) 10.g4?! This move is severely punished by 10...h5! and the following variation is quite forced.
11.g5 Ng4 12.Bg1 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 e5 14.fxe5 Bc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 16.0-0-0 Nxe5³
B) 10.Nb3?! d5!
154
A strong reply. 11.exd5 Nb4! 12.0-0 Nxd3 13.cxd3 Nxd5 14.Ne4 Nxe3 15.Qxe3 Be7³ Tesik, C
(2340) – Ribli, Z (2588) Hungary 2012.
10...Nxd4 11.Bxd4 Bc5
This is the easiest way for Black to complete his development while maintaining the pressure against
155
e4.
12.Bxc5 Qxc5 13.Qg3
13.g4 b4 14.Ne2 d5 15.e5 Ne4ƒ Kristensen K (2342) – Himanshu, S (2436) Lund 2018.
13...Nh5 14.Qf3
Position after: 14.Qf3
14.Qg4 g6 15.Rhf1 b4 16.Nb1 0-0 17.Nd2 d5 18.e5 a5„
14...Nf6=
A peaceful draw occurred in Yemelin, V (2556) – Antoniewski, R (2531) Czech Republic 2018.
If Black wants to keep playing, then 14...0-0!? is playable. 15.g4 Nf6 16.g5 Ne8 17.h4 b4„
b) 6.Be2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5! 6.Be2
156
As I said, it has many similarities with 6.Be3 that we just analysed because it is a logical developing
move, but it does not aim at protecting the pawn on e4.
6...Bb7
7.Bf3
157
A) 7.a3 For this refer to the subchapter about 6.a3 Bb7 7.Be2.
B) 7.0-0 This alternative is not completely harmless. Of course, we should accept the challenge and
take the pawn. 7...b4! 8.Na4 Bxe4 9.Bf3
Challenge the bishop is clearly the most dangerous continuation. [9.Re1!? Does not really change
much, and it is not clear that the rook is useful on e1. Or at least it is not the most important move.
9...Nf6 10.Bf3 d5 is similar to the game.] 9...Nf6
158
B1) 10.Bg5 Has been the most frequent move here but it does appear to be the most accurate. For
example, we can simply defend the bishop with: 10...d5!? [10...Bxf3 11.Qxf3 d5 12.Rae1! Nbd7
13.Nxe6 fxe6 14.Rxe6+ Kf7 15.Rfe1©] 11.Bxe4 dxe4 12.c3.
This was played in Espinosa Aranda, A (2385) – Korneev, O (2590) Linares 2014, and I would
like to suggest the following for Black: 12...bxc3 13.Nxc3 Be7³. Black is about to castle while
White does not seem to have enough play.
B2) 10.Bxe4
159
Position after: 10.Bxe4
This might be seen as the most critical continuation. 10...Nxe4 11.Re1 [11.Qf3?! d5 12.c4 This
goes nowhere for White: 12...bxc3 13.Nxc3 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Bc5 15.Be3 0-0³.] 11...d5! 12.Nxe6
This sacrifice has been tried twice by the same Indian player, earning him two draws against
grandmasters. [12.c4 bxc3 13.bxc3 Bd6!? There is a “perpetual threat” that White should accept if
he does not want to end up worse. 14.c4 0-0 15.cxd5 Bxh2+ 16.Kxh2 Qh4+ 17.Kg1 Qxf2+=]
12...fxe6 13.Qh5+ g6 14.Qe5 Qf6 15.Rxe4 Qxe5 16.Rxe5 Kf7 17.Re3!
Position after: 17.Re3!
160
More or less forcing a draw. [17.Bg5?! Nd7 18.Re3 h6 19.Rf3+ Kg7³ Black has the centre, and he
could have tried more in Nitin, S (2449) – Jojua, D (2583) Abu Dhabi 2018.] 17...Nd7 18.Rf3+
Ke8 19.Re3 Kf7=
7...Ne7!?
Position after: 7...Ne7!?
I like this approach. The knight heads toward g6, where it will not be annoyed by means of e4-e5.
8.0-0
8.Bg5 prevents 8...Ng6, but the bishop does not have any other idea here. 8...h6 9.Bh4 Qb6! 10.a4
Nbc6 11.Nxc6 Nxc6 12.axb5 axb5 13.Rxa8+ Bxa8 14.0-0 Bc5³ It is clear that the white pieces are
misplaced, Black has the better position. [Zaitsev, I (2417) – Ghaem Maghami, E (2446) Moscow
2000.]
8...Ng6 9.e5!?
White is trying to get some play on the h1-a8 diagonal, but we can keep everything under control.
9.Re1 Nc6 10.a4 b4
161
11.Nxc6 [11.Nd5? This is a typical trick by White in this kind of pawn structure, but here there is
simply no threat at all. 11...Nce5! 12.Nf4 Bc5µ] 11...Bxc6 12.Nd5 Bc5= Once again, it is not clear
that there is anything special for White, he lost in Kalashian, D (2380) – Sjugirov, S (2653) Yerevan
2014.
9...Qc7! 10.Bxb7 Qxb7 11.f4
162
Often a weakening move, but White needs to defend his pawn on e5.
11...Nc6 12.Nxc6 Qxc6 13.Qe2
This occurred in Guseinov, G (2609) – Kamsky, G (2702) Baku 2010, and now I like:
13...Rc8!³
That prevents White from going anywhere with his knight, Black is simply better.
c) 6.g3 Bb7 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.g3
Position after: 6.g3
Even if it is rarely a main line, every Sicilian contains a variation where White can fianchetto on the
kingside. The Kan Sicilian is no exception.
6...Bb7 7.Bg2 Nf6
The most logical move although Black has other choices. Black will have to keep the possibilities of
e4-e5 under control because there are some tactical ideas for White that we need to know. White has
tried several moves here. In most of the cases White is defending his e4-pawn, and this is the moves
we will consider in this subchapter.
8.Qe2
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A) 8.0-0 and 8.a3 will be considered in the next subchapter.
B) 8.Bg5?! This move is a bit tricky, but it cannot be very good for White as he will have no choice
but to give up the bishop pair. 8...h6! 9.Bxf6 The rest simply makes no sense. 9...Qxf6 10.0-0
If you are not careful, you will miss White’s threat. 10...Nc6! [10...d6?? 11.e5! Qe7 12.exd6 Qd7
13.Bxb7 Qxb7 14.Re1+–] 11.Nb3 [11.Nxc6 Bxc6!³ This is my preference, even if taking back with
the pawn was also possible.] 11...Rc8 12.Qe2 Qd8 Objectively it is hard to find a right plan for
White. If he adopts a slow approach with 13.Rad1?! then 13...Ne5³. The knight will invade c4
whenever it wants.
C) 8.Qd3?! Compared to 8.Qe2 this is a worse choice. The main reason is that we will soon have a
knight on d7 which will be able to attack the exposed queen. 8...d6 9.0-0 Nbd7
164
10.a3?! [10.Re1?! Be7 11.Bg5 0-0 12.Rad1 h6µ This goes nowhere for White. 10.Qe2 The
computer’s move, shows White’s conception is wrong. 10...Qc7ƒ] 10...Be7 11.Qe2 Qc7 12.Re1 0-0
13.f4 Rac8 14.Be3 Black is already better here, but in Pena Duarte, F (2226) – Oratovsky, M (2501)
San Sebastian 2017, he could have played even stronger with: 14...Nb6! 15.Bf2 Nc4µ. This is a
dream position for every Sicilian player.
8...b4!?
165
Position after: 8...b4!?
We could also have played similarly to 8.Qd3, but it is a slightly worse version, so let us go for a
completely different and quite forcing line.
9.Na4 Qa5 10.b3 Nc6 11.Bb2 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 e5!
And now White has a choice.
13.Bb6
13.Be3 [13.Bb2 Probably the less dangerous continuation. 13...Bc6 14.f4 d6ƒ It looks OK for Black
since White lacks activity.] 13...Nxe4! 14.Nb6 Rd8 15.Nc4 Qb5 16.Bd4!
Position after: 16.Bd4!
This strange position occurred in an amateur game, but now things could have gone wild depending
on the variation. 16...f6! This is my preference because White’s most logical move is wrong.
[16...d5!? 17.Nxe5 Qxe2+ 18.Kxe2 Be7=] 17.Bxe5! [17.Bxe4? Bxe4 18.Qxe4 d5 19.Qf5 dxc4µ]
17...d5 18.Bd4 Kf7∞ With an extremely complicated position.
13...Qb5 14.Qd3!?
166
Position after: 14.Qd3!?
The only try for an advantage 14.Qxb5?! White cannot hope for an advantage here. 14...axb5 15.Nc5
Bc6 16.0-0 And Black can take a draw, or if he wants to play, he can try 16...d6. 16...Rb8 17.Ba7
Ra8=
14...Be7
And now White tried castling both ways.
15.0-0-0
Perhaps an improvement for White is 15.0-0 Rc8 16.Rac1 0-0= Balashov, Y (2575) – Chuchelov, V
(2535) Germany 2001.
And now there should be a way to improve for Black has well, instead of the move 15...Rc8 played in
1-0 (64) Petrosian, T (2539) – Koneru, H (2503) Cochin 2004.
15...Rb8!?N
With the following logical continuation.
16.f4 Qxd3 17.cxd3!
17.Rxd3?! exf4 18.gxf4 Bxe4 19.Bxe4 Nxe4 20.Re1 f5³
17...Bc6 18.fxe5 Bxa4 19.exf6 Bxf6
167
Position after: 19...Bxf6
White has an easy way to reach an even position.
20.Ba7 Rb7 21.Be3 Bc6=
d) 6.g3 Bb7 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.a3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.g3 Bb7 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.a3!?
168
Position after: 8.a3!?
I think it is the main alternative to 8.0-0, and the battle is getting tense.
8.0-0 We will consider this move in the next subchapter.
8...d6 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Re1!
Definitely the most logical, in order to consider the idea of Nd5.
10...Qc7
This is the right square for the queen and the bishop on b7 needs to be protected if Black wants to
complete his development.
10...Be7?? This is a typical trap you need to watch out for. 11.e5!+–
11.a4
Some players have tried this move.

A) 11.f4 I do not think this fits well in White’s set-up. 11...Rc8!
169
Position after: 11...Rc8!
A good way to pin the knight on c3. 12.Be3 Be7 13.Bf2 0-0 14.g4 g6 15.Qf3 e5!µ Popova, N
(2314) – Dzagnidze, N (2550) Khanty – Mansiysk 2014.
B) 11.Bg5 Be7 This is a developing move, but it also obstructs the e-file. [11...h6? It is easy to go
wrong here. 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.Nd5! exd5 14.exd5+ Kd7 15.c4+–] 12.a4 This is often a move that
shows White wants to play Nd5 while first weakening our queenside. 12...b4!N
170
This move looks more natural to me, and it seems to work better while also giving White less
possibilities. [≤ 12...bxa4 This move gives White more options and if White goes 13.Nd5 anyway, I
prefer the version with 12...b4.] 13.Nd5! exd5 14.exd5 h6! [14...Kf8? 15.Nf5! Ne5 16.Rxe5 dxe5
17.d6±] 15.Bxf6 [15.Bf4 g6 It is important to prevent 16.Nf5. Now it is not clear how White should
continue even if he has compensation.] 15...gxf6! [15...Nxf6?! 16.Nf5 Ng8 17.Qd4‚] 16.Nf5 Ne5!
This is the right conception for Black who will give back the piece to take over the initiative.
17.Nxe7 Kxe7! 18.f4 Qc5+ 19.Kh1 h5 20.fxe5 fxe5ƒ And I like Black a lot, even if the position
remains complicated.
11...b4
171
12.Na2
White’s major idea of 12.Nd5? Is not so good due to 12...exd5 13.exd5+ Ne5!. When you face this
Nd5-sacrifice your priority is to give back the piece while taking over the initiative. 14.f4 0-0-0
15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Nb3 Nxd5µ Black has a powerful position.
12...Nc5! 13.Nxb4
As this line is more critical, we will look a bit deeper into the variations.
13.f3?! Most of the players went for this move, but it really is too slow. 13...e5! 14.Nf5 a5³
172
Position after: 14...a5³
15.c4?! Simonian, H (2445) – Korneev, O (2598) Sareyn 2017. 15...h5! 16.b3 g6 17.Ne3 h4–+ White
has many misplaced pieces.
13...Ncxe4 14.Bf4
And now in the game Danielyan, V (2303) – Pantsulaia, L (2591) Tbilisi 2017, I like:
173
14...e5!?N
We are not forced to enter this crazy line, but it is very temping.
15.Rxe4!
White has options as well.

15.Qd3 Nc5 16.Qf1 0-0-0∞
15...Nxe4 16.Qe2 d5!?
Probably the “safest” if we can speak of something being safe.

16...Nf6!? This is also interesting, and it is challenging for White to find the right move here.
17.Bc6+!
Position after: 17.Bc6+!
Unfortunately, this seems quite strong for White. [17.Bxb7 Qxb7 18.Nbc6 Kd7!!∞ A crazy move
that seems to hold in every variation. But let us say there is no need to go any deeper.] 17...Bxc6
18.Nbxc6 Rc8 [18...Nd7 19.Ra3ƒ] 19.b4!! Be7 20.b5ƒ The knight on c6 is a monster and I am not
sure we are able to take either hanging piece.
17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.Bxe4 Rd8 19.Re1 f6
174
Position after: 19...f6
If Black is able to castle, he will stand better.
20.Qxa6 Bxe4 21.Rxe4 Be7∞
The computer quietly says that it is equal, but White needs to sacrifice more material. You are free to
continue this position, but I doubt it will ever happen due to the many possibilities for both sides
earlier.
e) 6.g3 Bb7 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.0-0
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.g3 Bb7 7.Bg2 Nf6 8.0-0!?
175
Position after: 8.0-0!?
Sacrificing the e4-pawn is the most dangerous continuation for White.
8...b4!
Black should definitely go for this move, entering some forcing lines and gaining at least temporarily
a pawn.
9.Na4
The most dangerous move

A) 9.e5?! Starting a secondary line of threats is rarely a great idea. 9...Bxg2 10.Kxg2 bxc3 11.exf6
Qxf6 12.bxc3 Bc5
176
Black easily completes his development, and he has the better pawn structure. 13.Bf4 0-0³ Navara,
D (2491) – Ni, H (2568) Athens 2001.
B) 9.Nd5?!
Position after: 9.Nd5?!
Normally, if White wants this move to work, he needs to take back with a check or a threat to a
knight on c6, but this is not the case here. 9...exd5 10.exd5 Bc5! I do not see real possibilities for
177
White to compensate for the missing piece. 11.Re1+ Kf8
B1) 12.c4 d6 13.Bf4 Nbd7 14.Nc6 Qb6µ Rozentalis, E (2618) – Plischki, S (2422) Teplice 2014.
B2) 12.Nb3!
Position after: 12.Nb3!
This is probably an improvement for White over “theory”. 12...Bb6 13.a3 a5 14.axb4 axb4
15.Rxa8 Bxa8 16.Bd2 This is the point of White’s play, he will take another pawn and have two
pawns against a piece while Black still has his king on f8. Objectively Black is fine. 16...d6
17.Bxb4 Na6 18.Ba3 h5³
B3) 12.Nf5 Almost everybody played this move, but it is not so great, and Black can easily
stabilize his position. 12...d6 13.Bf4 Bc8 14.Ne7
178
This is going nowhere for White. For example, in the game Lodici, L (2623) – Budisavljevic, L
(2565) Chess.com INT 2020, Black could have played 14...Ra7 15.Nxc8 Qxc8–+.
9...Bxe4 10.Bxe4 Nxe4
Position after: 10...Nxe4
11.Re1
179
11.c4!? A few games continued with this move. 11...bxc3 12.Re1
A) 12...d5? It is easy to fall for this mistake. 13.Nxc3! Nxc3 14.Qh5!
Position after: 14.Qh5!
This is quite well-known and has been played in quite a number of games, with crushing results for
White. 14...Ne4 15.Nxe6 Qd7 16.Nc7+ Qxc7 17.Qxd5+– White is temporarily two pieces down,
but he will soon regain them.
B) 12...Nf6!
B1) 13.Qf3 d5 14.bxc3 Nbd7!N This move is important as it covers b6 and prepares Black’s next
move. 15.Qe2 Rc8 16.Qxa6 Ra8 17.Qb5 Qc7 18.Rb1 Bd6µ Black is clearly the one with the better
pawn structure, and he also has very stable minor pieces.
B2) 13.Qb3
180
Position after: 13.Qb3
13...Nc6 14.Nxc6 dxc6 15.Qxc3 Rc8 16.Be3 Nd5³ All this was seen in the game Gurevich, D
(2326) – Drozdowski, K (2464) Richardson 2014.
11...Nc5!
I think this is the most solid move for Black. Now White has tried several options.
181
11...d5 12.c4! gives white a strong initiative. 12...bxc3 13.Nxc3‚ This is the same dangerous line we
met in 11.c4.
12.c3!?
The most dangerous, in my opinion. Let us see the alternatives

A) 12.c4 This move is less effective because we will not have the pawn tension. 12...Nxa4 13.Qxa4
and now Black can try 13...Qb6! 14.Be3 Bc5 when he completes his development with a great
position. 15.Rad1 0-0³ Rouffignac, T (2280) – Loiseau, Q (2430) Chalons en Champagne 2015.
B) 12.Nxc5 Bxc5 13.Qf3 Ra7!
Position after: 13...Ra7!
A very important and cold-blooded move. 14.Nb3 [14.Be3 Qb6! 15.Qg4 0-0 16.Rad1 d5µ] 14...Bb6
15.Bf4 Qf6! [15...0-0 This would allow White to get his pawn back even if he remains worse.
16.Bd6 Re8 17.Bxb4 Rc7³] 16.Nd2 0-0 17.Ne4 White is trying to disrupt White’s harmony, but it is
not really working. 17...Qf5 18.g4 Qg6 19.Ng3 Nc6µ Gongora Montes, B (2251) – Soto Paez, O
(2388) San Jose 2009.
C) 12.Qf3 This is the move that has been played more often. 12...Ra7!
182
Position after: 12...Ra7!
[12...d5?? it is quite clear that this move is impossible. 13.Nxc5 Bxc5 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Rxe6+ Kd7
16.Qxd5++–] 13.Be3? This is the only independent try here, but it is not a great one. [13.Nxc5 This
transposes into 12.Nxc5.] 13...Nxa4 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Bxa7 Nc6 It is quite clear that White does not
have enough, and he can only hope that Black does not keep things under control. 16.Rxe6+
[16.Rad1 Qc8–+] 16...dxe6 17.Qxc6+ Qd7–+
12...Nxa4! 13.Qxa4
183
Position after: 13.Qxa4
13...Qb6!
It is important for Black to avoid any tactical shot such as 13...Bc5? 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Rxe6+ Kf8
16.Re4‚ when White has some good play.
14.Be3?!
Everybody went for this move.

14.Qd1!N A really hard novelty to find if White is not familiar with the position. Black keeps and
even position with 14...bxc3 15.bxc3 Nc6 16.Bf4 Be7 17.Rb1 Qc5 18.Rb7©.
14...Bc5 15.Rad1
Black is soon about to complete his development and has secured his extra-pawn.
15...0-0 16.a3 bxc3 17.b4 Bxd4 18.Bxd4
Position after: 18.Bxd4
We are following Shchukin, D (2344) – Kalegin, E (2471) Voronezh 2011, but here, instead of the
game continuation, I would suggest the following.
18...Qb5 19.Qb3 Nc6 20.Bxc3 Ne7µ
Black still is a pawn up and the knight is headed to d5.
184
f) 6.a3 Bb7 7.-- & 7.Be2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.a3
We have previously discussed the merits of this move in prior subchapters. It is a logical and natural
guest in some variations. It efficiently stops ...b4, but of course the drawback is that it is absolutely
not a developing move.
6...Bb7
Of course, we continue our development in the most logical way
7.Be2
The idea is generally to castle short with the idea of playing f2-f4 and Bf3.
A) 7.Bd3 This will be the subject of the next subchapter.
B) 7.f3?! Qc7 8.Be3 Nf6 9.Qd2 We have already analyzed this position in the first subchapter about
6.Be3 in the 7.f3-variation.
C) 7.g3 Nf6 8.Bg2 This has already been seen in the first subchapter about 6.g3.
7...Qc7 8.f4!
I think it is the only way to justify White’s last move.

8.0-0?! This is clearly the most played move, but no strong player ever used this variation. The reason
185
is that after 8...Nf6! White is unable to push e5 and playing f3 is clearly a concession for White who
should play f3 only if he wants to launch a kingside attack with g4-h4. But this is not playable when
he has castled on the kingside. 9.Bf3 Nc6
10.Re1 [10.Nxc6 dxc6! 11.Qe2 Bd6 12.g3 0-0 13.Bg2 c5 14.f4 e5!³] 10...Ne5 11.Bf4 d6 There
appears to be nothing White can do as he has no pawn breaks. 12.Bg3 Be7 13.Qd2 h5 14.Bxe5 dxe5
15.Nde2 Rc8µ Uildriks, M (2032) – Miezis, N (2579) Utrecht 2009.
8...Be7!?
186
Position after: 8...Be7!?
You can play another move, but I would like to suggest this interesting move, which is actually a
novelty suggested by the computer. The idea is basically to wait for White to choose a set-up, and to
adapt to it.
9.0-0
A) 9.Bf3 Nc6 10.Nb3 d6 11.Be3 Nf6 12.0-0 0-0 This transposes into the main line of this variation.
B) 9.Be3 Nc6 10.0-0 Nf6 11.e5 Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Nd5 13.Nxd5 Bxd5= This is also nothing special
for White.
187
Position after: 13...Bxd5=
White has more space, but we are solid, and we can use the c-file to trade bishops if we want to.
9...Nf6 10.Bf3
10.e5 Ne4 11.Nxe4 Bxe4 12.Bf3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nc6 14.Nxc6 dxc6=
10...Nc6 11.Nb3
11.e5? Nxd4! 12.Bxb7 [12.Qxd4?? Bc5–+] 12...Qxb7 13.Qxd4 Ng4 14.h3 Rc8 15.Kh1 Nh6µ
11...0-0
188
12.Be3
12.e5?! Ne8 13.Be3 d6³ The centre will open favouring Black.
12...d6 13.Qe1 Nd7 14.Qg3 Bf6„
The position is really complicated, but objectively not better for White in opposition to the main line
of this subchapter, the bishop on f3 instead of d3 is quite misplaced as it does not target h7 and it
blocks the rook-lift Rf3-g3.
g) 6.a3 Bb7 7.Be3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.a3 Bb7 7.Be3
189
This is the other line that we will consider but the idea is less obvious.
7.Bd3 This will be the subject of the next subchapter.
7...Qc7 8.Bd3
A) 8.f3 Nf6 was discussed in the 7.f3 subchapter.

B) 8.Qd2 Nf6 9.f3 A necessary move that also transposes into 7.f3.
8...Nf6 9.0-0 d6
The difficult thing is that there are a lot of different move orders. We will only focus on the most
played moves.
10.f4!? Nbd7
190
If we compared this to the next subchapter (where White has not yet played Be3), I think it is slightly
worse for White because the bishop is often a source of problems here, or it often interferes with other
pieces such as the rook coming to e1. And now, White has 3 different approaches.
11.Qf3
It is hard to analyze such a position. There are a lot of possibilities for each side at every move. But
we can try to organize a logical plan for Black.
A) 11.Nb3 I am never really found of this as I find it too slow. It seems important to mention that
this position sometimes arises with White to move after Black has lost a tempo playing ...Qb6 at
some point before coming back to c7. 11...Be7 12.Qe1 0-0 13.Rd1 Now, I find the following game
really instructive even if everything is not perfect as it was a blitz game. 13...Rac8 14.Qg3 Qb8
15.Bd2 g6?!
191
Position after: 15...g6?!
This is a thematic idea, but it was not great, and I would have preferred 15...Rfe8 with a good
position for Black. 16.Rde1 Qa8 17.e5? [17.f5!±] 17...Nh5 18.Qh3 dxe5 19.fxe5 Qb8 20.Bh6
Nxe5! Black is giving up the exchange for a pawn and great play on the dark squares. 21.Bxf8
Rxf8µ Black lost in the end in Anton Guijarro, D (2674) – Gordievsky, D (2579) chess24.com INT
2020, but has a great position so far.
B) 11.Qe2 Be7 12.Kh1 0-0 13.Rae1 Nc5
192
14.Bg1 [14.Bd2 Rac8 15.Rf3 g6 16.Rg3 Rfe8³ It seems that Black is fully in control.] 14...Rfe8!?N
Black has a lot of possibilities, but I like this one which anticipates the opening of the centre. 15.e5
[15.Nf3 Rad8³] 15...Nxd3 16.cxd3 Nd7³
11...Be7 12.Rae1
Position after: 12.Rae1
12...Nc5!?
12...0-0?! I am not sure that I want to castle immediately because of 13.Qh3‚ [13.g4 This is also
interesting for White.]
13.g4!?
This is a principled move but not played that often.

A) 13.Kh1 Always logical in a way, but is White certain that the king is better here since we have a
bishop on b7? 13...0-0 14.Bg1 Rfe8 15.Qh3 Bf8 16.Nf3 Nxd3 17.cxd3 h6 18.Rc1 Qd7 19.Bd4 e5!
193
Kramnik confidently reacts in the centre with strength 20.fxe5 dxe5 21.Bxe5 Qxh3 22.gxh3 Nd7³
And Black was much better in the game Ponomariov, R (2718) – Kramnik, V (2777) Cap d’Agde
2003.
B) 13.Bf2
Here the bishop helps the rook that is on e1, but not the other one. 13...0-0 14.Qh3 Rfe8 15.Kh1
194
Rad8! Black keeps everything protected, and he waits for White to do something. 16.Bh4 h6 17.Re3
Kh8„ The hardest thing for Black is to remain calm. Here he simply wants to anticipate Rg3-ideas
and be able to play a move like ...Nh7 at some point.
13...h5!
Only one game continues with this move, but it looks extremely interesting for Black even if the idea
is a bit hard to understand.
14.g5 Ng4 15.Bc1 0-0-0 16.h3 Qb6!
White will experience some problems on d4.
17.hxg4?!
17.Kg2 Nxd3 18.Qxd3 Ne5 19.fxe5 dxe5 and the knight on d4 is lost. 20.Rxf7 Bc5 21.Nce2 exd4„
17...hxg4 18.Qe2 d5! 19.e5! Ne4=
195
Position after: 19...Ne4=
There are a lot of threats, and it is easy for White to go wrong.
20.Kg2
20.Bxe4 dxe4 21.Be3 Rxd4∞
20...Qxd4 21.Be3?? Qxc3 22.bxc3 d4–+
196
Position after: 22...d4–+
White is a queen up against a piece, but he is defenceless against the numerous threats
23.Bxe4?
Accelerating his defeat.
23...Bxe4+ 24.Kf2 Rh2+ 25.Kg3
25.Kg1 Rxe2 26.Rxe2 dxe3–+
25...Rh3+ 26.Kxg4
26.Kf2 g3+ 27.Kg1 Rh1#
26...Bf5#
Position after: 26...Bf5#
A nice way to finish but I doubt it will ever happen in a game, I just wanted to include it to have a
mate at least one if my book!
h) 6.a3 Bb7 7.Bd3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.a3 Bb7 7.Bd3
197
This subchapter is like a transition between the other lines with 6.a3 that we just saw, and the ones
with 6.Bd3 that will be covered in the next subchapters.
7...Qc7
Of course, there are several possible moves but if we want a chance to remember something about
these lines, we have to keep the same system, if possible, White already has several options.
8.0-0
8.Be3 It was analysed in the previous subchapter.
8...Nf6
198
9.Qe2!?
A) 9.Be3 Was seen in the previous subchapter and when White plays this move, I think the bishop is
slightly misplaced on this square.
B) 9.f4??
Position after: 9.f4??
199
It seems pretty clear that White is not ready for this move because of the weakness of the dark
diagonal in front of the king. 9...Bc5 10.Be3 Nc6 11.Nf5 [11.Be2? Qb6–+] 11...Ne7! 12.Nd4™
Position after: 12.Nd4™
Otherwise, White loses a piece. 12...Qb6 13.Nce2 Nxe4µ

C) 9.Re1 Bd6!
Position after: 9...Bd6!
200
This has rarely been played, but the computer claims it is clearly the best, so let us give it a try.
C1) 10.g3 In some lines of the Sicilians with ...e6 this is the way to answer for White. It allows
him to keep ideas such as f4 and e5. 10...h5!?N This move was called for by 10.g3. 11.Bxb5
Clearly this is the move we need to check because it is never possible to take it back. [11.Bf1 Be5!
Black needs this in order to prevent 12.Ndxb5.12.f4 Bxd4+ 13.Qxd4 Nc6 14.Qd3 h4³] 11...h4!
[11...axb5?? 12.Ndxb5+–] 12.Bxa6! hxg3! [12...Bxa6?? 13.Ndb5+–; 12...Rxa6? 13.Ndb5 Qc5

14.Be3±]
C1.1) 13.Ncb5! The only move. 13...gxf2+!? Less strong but very interesting. [13...gxh2+!
14.Kh1 Nxa6 15.Nxc7+ Bxc7µ The pawn on e4 is in danger and so is the king, it is just an
amazing position for Black.] 14.Kxf2 Rxh2+ 15.Kg1 Rxa6! 16.Nxc7+ Bxc7© And this position
just needs to be played. The computer is very close from assessing this position as better for
Black despite only having 2 minor pieces for the queen, that kind of prove the compensation we
have!
C1.2) 13.hxg3? The most logical move but wrong! 13...Rxa6 14.Ndb5 Qc5 15.Be3 [15.b4 Qh5
16.Nxd6+ Rxd6 17.Qxh5 Rxh5–+] 15...Nxe4!!
201
Position after: 15...Nxe4!!
This is the major difference with 12...Rxa6, the a-file is already opened. 16.Bxc5 Nxc3 and White
is losing some heavy material. 17.Nxd6+ [17.f3 Bxc5+–+] 17...Rxd6 18.f3 Rxd1–+
C2) 10.h3 Nc6!
C2.1) 11.Nd5? This is just a mistake for White. 11...exd5 12.exd5+ Ne7 13.Nf5 Kf8–+
202
C2.2) 11.Be3 0-0ƒ I think the point of 9...Bd6 is seen here, White is unable to do anything in the
centre. 12.Bxb5? This never works because of 12...axb5 13.Ndxb5 Bh2+! 14.Kh1 Qb8 15.g3
Bxg3 16.fxg3 Qxg3–+.
C2.3) 11.Nxc6 dxc6 12.Qe2 Nd7!N
Position after: 12...Nd7!N
13.a4! It is important to play this move to prevent 13...c5. 13...0-0 14.Rd1 Rfd8 15.Bg5 f6 16.Be3
Ne5³ Black is going to have the advantage of the bishop pair; he has a great position.
D) 9.Kh1 In this line White can bring the queen to f3 instead of e2 as in the main line, but it is not
necessarily better. 9...d6 10.f4 Nbd7 11.Qf3 Be7
203
D1) 12.f5 e5 13.Nde2 h5!? Even if not forced, the inventive way Ivanchuk treated this position is
worth remembering. 14.Bg5 Ng4 15.Bd2 Ndf6 16.h3 d5 Leaving a knight on g4 is often done is
positions where White has played an early Kh1, that is another reason I do not like this move.
17.Be1 Rd8ƒ Of course it is complicated, but Black had a great position in Areshchenko, A (2660)
– Ivanchuk, V (2731) Foros 2006.
D2) 12.Qg3 Nc5!
204
13.Re1 [13.Qxg7 Rg8 14.Qh6 Ncxe4µ Black will long castle and have the initiative.] 13...0-0
14.Bd2 Rfd8 15.b4 Nxd3
Without this bishop the defence is often much easier. Black was fine in the following game.
16.cxd3 Rac8 17.Rac1 Qd7 18.h3 Rc7 19.Nce2 Rdc8³ Tondivar, B (2315) – Lutz, C (2580)
Leeuwarden 1994.
9...d6
9...Bd6!? I have not chosen this move, but it is a possibility worth mentioning for Black, if you want
to explore this sideline. 10.Kh1 [10.h3 Nc6 11.Be3 0-0 12.f4 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 e5 14.fxe5 Bxe5
15.Bxe5 Qxe5 16.Rf5 Qd4+„] 10...Bf4!?N 11.Bxf4 Qxf4„
10.f4
205
Eventually, White will have to play this move if he wants to do something in this position.
10.Bd2 Nbd7 11.Kh1 Be7 12.f4 This always goes back to the main line once White plays f2-f4.
10...Nbd7 11.Kh1
11.Nf3?! It does not look really useful, and Karjakin is going to experience the uselessness of this
approach. [11.Bd2 Be7 12.Rae1 This is clearly another very logical approach which we have seen.
12...0-0 13.Kh1 Nc5 Transposing into the main line.] 11...Be7 12.Bd2 0-0 13.Rae1 Rac8 14.Kh1
Nc5 15.b4 Nxd3 16.cxd3 Qd7! Always logical, the queen makes space for the rooks. 17.Nd4 And
the knight eventually came back to d4. 17...Rc7³ Karjakin, S (2754) – Korobov, A (2670) Bucharest
2019.
11...Be7 12.Bd2
206
12...Nc5!?
We can start with this move even if it is less common.

12...0-0 13.b4 Usually players just transpose with 13.Rae1, but it is an interesting possibility to
prevent ...Nc5.
13.Rae1
13.b4 Nxd3 14.cxd3 0-0 15.Rac1
207
Position after: 15.Rac1
The rook can come here instead of Rae1, but it is not dangerous for Black. 15...Qd7 16.g4 This is
Alonso, S (2434) – Hellsten, J (2592) Santiago de Chile 2006, and now, I think Black should
anticipate 17.g5 with: 16...Ne8! It seems that White does not have much in either of the following
lines. 17.g5 [17.f5 Bf6 18.Be3 h6³] 17...f5! 18.gxf6 Bxf6 19.Be3 Rc8³
13...0-0 14.Rf3!?
This kind of move might seem very frightening, but we can hold.
A) 14.b4 Nxd3 15.cxd3 Rac8 16.Rc1 Qd7³ We have seen the same position with a tempo down for
Black, and it was already fine.
B) 14.e5?
208
Position after: 14.e5?
Opening the long diagonal for the bishop clearly shows a lack of understanding by White.
14...Nfd7! There is nothing for White since his light-squares bishop can be traded whenever Black
wants. [14...dxe5!? 15.fxe5 Nfd7 16.Bf4 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 Rfd8µ This is also really fine for Black as
in Piorun, K (2651) – Castellanos Rodriguez, R (2501) Katowice 2017.] 15.Nf3 dxe5 16.fxe5 Nxd3
17.cxd3 Nc5µ Black follows with 18...Rad8 and he has an amazing bishop on b7.
14...Rfe8 15.Rh3 g6!
Prevents any Qh5 or tactics on h7.
16.Nf3
209
Position after: 16.Nf3
This position has occurred in a few amateur games but here I would suggest the strong:
16...Ng4!N 17.Rg3 f5! 18.exf5 exf5µ.
This simply opens every line in Black’s favor. Once Black has the rook on e8 protected he will be
more than fine.
i) 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.--, 7..0-0 Nc6 8.-- - Sidelines
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.Bd3
210
We have now reached the main line of the 5.Nc3 b5 variation. As seen in the previous lines White
should try to avoid playing 6.a3 and I see this line as the right way for White to play if he wants to
challenge Black.
6...Bb7!?
I have decided to keep the same move in every variation for consistency and convenience. This line is
sound for Black, and it is not worse than the alternatives.
6...Qb6 This is another interesting idea that I investigated. While we might call it the main line, I
prefer the text as it is more in the spirit of this chapter as we want to play 6....Bb7. The other problem
I see with 6...Qb6 is illustrated in the following: 7.Nb3 Qc7 8.0-0 Bb7 9.f4. This is very similar to
what we analyzed in the previous subchapter, but with the knight on b3 instead of d4, and it might be
harder to remember the lines.
7.0-0
Most of the players continue with this move as it is the most natural continuation.
A) 7.Be3 This has already been seen in the first subchapter about 6.Be3 Bb7 7.Bd3.
B) 7.a3 This has also been analyzed in the previous subchapter.
C) 7.Qe2 Nc6 8.Nxc6 Bxc6 9.f4
211
The only independent try. [9.0-0 Is the most logical which transposes into the 9.Qe2 line that will be
covered later.] 9...b4 10.Nd5?! This has been tried once, but Black has a surprisingly strong reply.
Perpinya Rofes, L (2395) – Vega Gutierrez, S (2285) Sabadell 2011 [10.Nd1 Nf6 11.0-0 Bc5+
12.Kh1 0-0 13.Nf2 Qc7„ This position is clearly double-edged, but Black is by no means worse.]
10...f5!!N The knight is now “trapped” on d5, because if it goes back to e4, the pawn on e4 is lost.
C1) 11.c3 Qb8!
212
Protecting the pawn on b4 but also giving the d8 square to the king as we will see in the following
line. 12.Bd2 [12.Nxb4 Bxb4 13.cxb4 fxe4!–+ White cannot take back and Black will have a
healthy extra pawn after 14...Qxb4+.] 12...fxe4 13.Bxe4 exd5 14.Bxd5+ Kd8–+
C2) 11.0-0 Bb7!? According to the computer there are stronger moves including 11...Qb8 or
11...Qa5 but this one is more human. The bishop simply retreats to threaten 12...exd5. 12.Ne3 fxe4
13.f5 Nf6! 14.Bc4 d5 15.Bb3 e5 16.Ba4+ Kf7µ.
7...Nc6
8.Be3
It is not clear at all that the bishop is on its best square here.
A) 8.Nxc6! This is going to be analysed in the next subchapters.
B) 8.Nb3 I believe that this has to be too slow to be strong. 8...Nf6
B1) 9.Qe2 Ne5!? 10.f4?! [10.Bf4N 10...Nxd3 11.cxd3 Be7 12.a4 b4 13.Nd1 a5=] 10...Nxd3
11.cxd3
213
Position after: 11.cxd3
11...b4!N This is an improvement over the games that reached this position. White’s knight will be
passive while the bishop on b7 might soon become a monster. This should be enough to prevent
White from playing e4-e5 at any moment. 12.Nd1 a5! 13.Be3 Be7 14.Nf2 0-0³
B2) 9.f4 Nb4!?N
Position after: 9...Nb4!?N
In the same spirit it is possible to take the bishop pair. 10.Be3 [10.Be2? Clearly a mistake.
214
10...Nxe4 11.Bf3 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Qb6+ 13.Kh1 Nd5–+] 10...Nxd3 11.cxd3 Be7= And we have a
similar position to 9.Qe2 Ne5, except that the white knights are better here.
8...Ne5
This is also interesting, trying to get the bishop pair.

8...Nf6!? This is the main continuation. 9.Nxc6 [9.Qe2 Ne5!? 10.f4 Nxd3 11.cxd3 Be7= It is similar
to 8...Ne5.] 9...Bxc6
Position after: 9...Bxc6
10.e5!? [10.a3 Qc7 11.f4 Be7„] 10...b4! 11.exf6 bxc3 12.fxg7 Bxg7 13.Qg4!? Be5!?N 14.bxc3 h5
15.Qh3 Bxc3 16.Rab1 Rg8 17.f3 h4= Clearly, anything can happen in this position. Black should be
fine because he is active enough but having the king in the centre in the long term might be a
technical problem.
9.f4 Nxd3
215
10.cxd3
10.Qxd3?! b4 11.Nce2 Bc5 12.Ng3 Nf6³
10...Nf6 11.Qf3 Be7 12.Qg3 0-0N 13.Rac1 Rc8=
Black’s main task is to activate his bishops when he may be able to prove that he is better.
j) 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Nxc6 Bxc6 9.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.Bd3 Bb7!? 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Nxc6!
216
Position after: 8.Nxc6!
This is the only continuation that can get Black into trouble, and it is also the only one that prevents
Black from getting the bishop pair advantage.
8...Bxc6
White has a wide choice of moves. It would be quite counterproductive to analyze all of them, so I
have selected the most interesting ones.
8...dxc6? This time this move would be a mistake, because of 9.e5± and White has the possibility of
using the e4-square with strength. The knight will soon be coming there in order to reach d6 later.
9.Qe2
This is clearly the main alternative to 9.Re1. Other moves are only rarely seen in practice.
A) 9.Re1 This is going to be the subject of our last subchapter!
B) 9.a4
217
This move occurred in a few games, but we will gain a tempo on the knight, and it seems too slow
to be good for White. 9...b4 10.Nb1 Bc5 11.Qe2 Ne7 12.Be3 Qb6 13.Bxc5 Qxc5 14.Nd2 Ng6=
Black is going to finish his development and the position is roughly balanced as in the game
Fedorchuk, S (2673) – Balogh, C (2660) Bastia 2014.
C) 9.e5?! This move is nothing special, but it has some ideas. The first is the same as against
8...dxc6, White wants to be able to bring the knight toward e4. It also prevents our own knight from
reaching its natural f6 square. 9...d6 10.Bf4 dxe5 11.Bxe5 Nf6 12.Qe2 Be7=
218
Position after: 12...Be7=
This position is objectively equal, but here White misplayed with: 13.Ne4? And after 13...Qd5!
White is forced to give up the bishop pair and Black has a great initiative. 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.f3 f5
16.Nf2 Rg8µ Although White won after an amazing game she was objectively in trouble here in De
Seroux, C (2095) – Kaenel, H (2297) Graechen 2017.
9...Bc5!?
Position after: 9...Bc5!?
Among all of Black’s options, this is considered to be the main move. It is also by far the one that
brought Black the best results.
10.a4
A) 10.Be3 Qb6!
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I prefer to bring the queen into play instead of taking immediately on e3.
A1) 11.Qg4?!N Not easy to refute, but objectively wrong. 11...Bxe3 12.Qxg7 Bd4 13.e5 0-0-0!
14.Qxh8 f5!! 15.Rae1 [15.Qxh7 Bxe5 16.Rae1 Nf6 17.Qh3 Bd4µ Black will follow with ...Rg8.
15.exf6 Nxf6 16.Qg7 Rg8–+] 15...Nh6 16.Qxh7 Ng4 17.Re2 Nxe5µ The white monarch is in
huge trouble due to the many pieces that are directed against him!
A2) 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.Bxc5 Qxc5 13.exd5 Qxd5©
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Position after: 13...Qxd5©
As always, White might have enough for a pawn in this position, but he really needs to be super
accurate which he was not in the following game. 14.c4?! bxc4 15.Be4 Qe5 16.Qxc4 Rb8 17.Rfe1
Qb5 18.Qc7 Nf6µ And Black is now safe, he has a great position in Kis, J (2122) – Ionescu, C
(2456) Eger 2004.
A3) 11.Bxc5 Qxc5 12.Qg4 [12.Rae1 Ne7 13.Qe3 Qxe3 14.Rxe3, I see no reason Black should be
worse in this endgame. 14...0-0 15.Ne2 Rfc8 16.Nd4 Bb7 17.f4 d6= Trent, L (2399) –
Mekhitarian, K (2554) Chess.com INT 2020] 12...Nf6!? 13.Qxg7 Ke7©
Position after: 13...Ke7©
A nice conception by Black, it seems horrible to play for White even if his position should
objectively be fine. 14.Qg3?! Rhg8 15.Qe3 Qxe3 16.fxe3 b4 17.Ne2 Nxe4µ Stoleriu, G (2574) –
Mekhitarian, K (2879) Chess.com INT 2020.
B) 10.e5 Bd4 11.Rd1 Qb6 12.a4 b4 13.a5 Qc7 14.Na2 Qxa5³ And Black quickly ended up on top
of the complications in Felgaer, R (2597) – Kamsky, G (2705) Khanty – Mansiysk 2010.
10...b4 11.Nd5
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Position after: 11.Nd5
11...Bb7!?
Of course, this needs more practical tests, but I like this move.
11...Ne7 This main line failed to convince me, so I opted for a move that has been played only once.
12.Be3
12.Nf4N 12...Ne7 13.Be3 Qa5! 14.Rfe1
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Position after: 14.Rfe1
14...Rc8 [14...0-0!? There is also nothing bad with this move. 15.Rad1 Rac8 16.b3 Bxe3 17.Qxe3
Rfd8=] 15.Bxc5 Rxc5 16.c4!? Ng6! [16...bxc3?? 17.b4! A nice trick. 17...Qxb4 18.Rab1+–] 17.Nxg6
hxg6=
12...Qa5! 13.Bxc5 Qxc5
White needs to be accurate if he wants to try something.
14.Qg4!
14.Ne3 Nf6 15.Nc4 d5! It looks safer to start with this move. [15...0-0?! 16.e5 Nd5 17.Qe4‚]
16.exd5 Qxd5 17.f3 Qc5+ 18.Qf2 Qxf2+ 19.Kxf2 Ke7=
14...Kf8!
Position after: 14...Kf8!
It does not appear to be too dangerous to have the king in the centre a little bit longer and we gain a
few tempi on the white queen.
15.Ne3
15.Nf4? Nf6 16.Qf3 Ke7³ The knight on f4 is really misplaced.
15...h5N
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Not necessarily stronger but interesting.
The only game to reach this position saw 15...Nf6 but quickly ended in a draw. 16.Qf4 d6 17.c3
Maninang, R – Olafsson, F Manila 1979. 17...Ke7„
16.Qf3 h4 17.h3 Nf6„
Position after: 17...Nf6„
Having the pawn already on h4 also allows Black to continue with ...Rh5, probably on the next move,
with an interesting position which is fine according to the engine!
k) 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Nxc6 Bxc6 9.Re1
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.Bd3 Bb7!? 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Nxc6! Bxc6 9.Re1
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Position after: 9.Re1
With this move White is trying to play Nd5 at some point which explains the move I choose.
9...Ne7!?
Position after: 9...Ne7!?
In comparison to 9...Bc5 or 9...Qb8 it is clearly a main line. I feel it is Black’s best option and White
cannot prove a clear advantage in this line. White has tried a lot of moves here and it is hard to
225
determine which should be the main move.
10.Bd2
This is not the most played move at the time I am writing but it has scored 100% for White thus it
must be considered as dangerous and a tempting line for a player who has worked on it.
A) 10.Be3 Placing the bishop here is somehow less intuitive because it interferes with rook that just
came to e1. We have no problem continuing our development. 10...Ng6 11.a4 Bb4!
Position after: 11...Bb4!
[11...b4? This is always what White wants in order to play Nd5 with more strength (b4 and a6 are
potentially weaker) 12.Nd5! Bd6 13.a5± and the knight will reach b6.] 12.axb5 Bxc3 13.bxc3 axb5
14.Rxa8 Qxa8 15.Bc5 And now in the game Caspi, I (2427) – Tunik, G (2498) Israel 2010, Black
secures his king with 15...f6! 16.Qh5 Kf7 17.f4 Re8!= while effectively preventing 18.f5. Our next
move will probably be 18...Kg8.
B) 10.Bg5?! This is the last logical square for the bishop, but it is not particularly annoying.
10...Qb8!
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The queen is often better here than on c7 or b6 where it can come under attack from White’s Nd5
ideas. 11.a4 [11.e5 It is really hard for me to understand this move. Now in the game Panarin, M
(2558) – Kamsky, G (2673) Sochi 2015, I would prefer: 11...b4 12.Ne4 Ng6 as the pawn on e4
seems condemned. 13.c4 h6 14.Bc1 Qxe5 15.Ng3 Qc7³] 11...b4 12.Ne2 Ng6 13.Nd4 Qe5 14.Nf3
Qxb2 15.Rb1 Qc3
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Black does not really have a choice but to take the repetition. 16.Bd2 Qf6 17.Bg5 [17.Bxb4?! Bxb4
18.Rxb4 a5³ Now the a4 pawn becomes a target and it may fall.] 17...Qc3 18.Bd2 Qf6 19.Bg5
Felgaer, R (2570) – Bachmann, A (2551) Asuncion 2011.
C) 10.a4 This is slightly similar to 9.a4 which we considered in the previous subchapter. 10...b4
11.Nb1 [11.Ne2 Ng6 12.Nd4 Bb7 13.Qh5 Qc7 14.e5 Bc5! Black will enjoy amazing bishops in
this middlegame. 15.Nb3 Ba7 16.a5 0-0³ 1-0 (45) Krejci, J (2489) – Zueger, B (2426) Merlimont
2011.] 11...Ng6 12.Nd2 Be7 13.Nc4 0-0 14.Be3
Here in the game Xu, X (2576) – Bu, X (2721) Khanty Mansiysk 2019, Black could have reacted in
the centre with 14...d5! 15.exd5 exd5 16.Bb6! This is the only move to keep the balance more or
less. 16...Qb8 17.Bxg6 dxc4! 18.Rxe7 Qxb6 19.Be4 Rae8³ Only Black can be better here.
D) 10.Qh5 This is what White played in 5 out of 24 games. The queen is quite fine here as it cannot
really be attacked, and it may have some use here as it is controlling a lot of squares. Nevertheless, it
should not be seen as a big problem. 10...Ng6 11.a4 Bb4!
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Pinning the knight is the best reaction. [11...b4 allows White to play 12.Nd5ƒ Ponomariov, R (2630)
– Dao, T (2555) New Delhi/Teheran 2000.]
D1) 12.axb5!? This is probably stronger but with no more than equality for White. 12...axb5
13.Bd2 [13.Rxa8 Qxa8 14.Bxb5? Qa5! This places White in an uncomfortable situation. 15.Be2
Bxc3 16.bxc3 Qxc3µ] 13...0-0=
D2) 12.Bd2 bxa4! White will have to disorganize his pieces to get the pawn back. 13.Re3 Qa5!
229
Position after: 13...Qa5!
A nice way to prevent White’s attack. 14.Qxa5 Bxa5 15.Bc1 Bxc3 16.bxc3 0-0µ And White won
in Benderac, S (2310) – Miladinovic, I (2550) Montenegro 2016, but it was not due to the opening.
10...Ng6!
Strangely enough, this natural move has only been tried once out of 4 games.
11.a4
11...bxa4!N
11...b4?! Again, this is what White wants. 12.Nd5 White fully justifies his 10.Bd2 by gaining a
tempo against the pawn on b4. And, as usual, the knight is untouchable here. 12...a5 13.c3! White has
time to open the position under good circumstances. 13...bxc3 14.Bxc3 f6 15.Qh5± Riff, J (2477) –
Zueger, B (2433) Switzerland 2012.
12.Nxa4 Bd6!?
This is not the only move, but this is what brings Black the most active development. For example,
White can try to control the b6-square and the game might continue with:
13.Be3 Qc7
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14.g3
14.h3 Is clearly safer for White, but not as challenging. 14...0-0 15.Bb6 Qb8 16.Bd4 Bh2+ 17.Kh1
Be5= Once again, Black is starting to have ideas like ...f5, especially if the bishop on d3 moves in
order to defend the bishop on d4.
14...0-0 15.Nb6
15.f4?! This is a risky approach. 15...Rfb8 16.e5 Bf8 17.Qd2 a5³ The white king is weak in the long
term and Black also has good prospects on the queenside.
15...Rab8 16.Rxa6
16.Nc4 Be7 17.Rxa6 Bxe4 18.Bxe4 Qxc4 19.Bd3 Qc7„
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Position after: 19...Qc7„
White has the bishop pair, but we have a great centre. The chances are probably balanced.
16...Bb7 17.Ra4
17.Ra1?! f5! This is what will bring Black great compensation. 18.Nc4 [18.exf5? Ne5! 19.Be2 Qc6–
+ White is defenseless.] 18...fxe4 19.Be2 Bc5³
17...f5©
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Position after: 17...f5©
If White wants to keep the game alive this looks like a strong possibility for him, but he could also
have taken the repetition.
17...Bc6 18.Ra6™=
Chapter Conclusion
I am still doubtful about 5.Nc3. Of course, it is a very logical move, but it is more or less what we
want to see, and it often provides us with a clear and easy plan. I am not surprised that Black enjoys a
positive score in most of the variations!
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Chapter 4
5.Be2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be2
Chapter Guide
Chapter 4 – 5.Be2

a) 5...--, 5...Nf6 6.--
b) 6.Qd3, 6.Nd2 & 6.Bf3
c) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.-- & 7.0-0
d) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qd3
e) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.e5 Ne4 8.Qd3
f) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.e5 Ne4 8.0-0
a) 5...--, 5...Nf6 6.--
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I have been quite surprised that this move is actually quite tricky. That is the reason I dedicated a full
chapter to it. Not that the move in itself is not particularly strong, but it is a bit annoying if Black does
not want to transpose into the Taimanov or the Scheveningen Sicilians. To White’s credit he can still
play c4 based on the circumstances, the knight is protected whereas after 5.Bd3 it is not and, now
5...Bc5 does not make much sense. I have chosen the line with 5...Nf6 intending to provoke 6.Nc3,
but I will also shortly explain why I did not choose other variations.
5...Nf6
I want this move to be fully playable in order not to enter a completely different opening. And I think
it works! In this subchapter we will consider 3 of the minor likes that are not great for White.
A) 5...b5 This is the first option I considered. It has brought Black good results, but I think that was
because White was not prepared enough in most of the games. Nevertheless, you can try it as a
surprise weapon. Black’s goal is to follow with ...Bb7, and 6.Nc3 would transpose into the previous
chapter. But White has other options.
235
A1) 6.0-0!? Bb7 7.c4 bxc4 8.Nd2!± This transposes into 6.c4 that you can fine below in A3.
A2) 6.a4!? This is also a logical choice. Here White does not have a knight on c3 as opposed to
several prior variations therefore 6...b4 does not attack anything. White is fine after 7.Qd3 Bb7
8.Nd2².
A3) White has another option 6.c4! This was one of the first moves I inspected.
Position after: 6.c4!
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A very strong approach and Black is practically forced to take. 6...bxc4 [6...b4 7.Be3 Bb7 8.Nd2±;
6...Bb7?! 7.cxb5 Bxe4 8.0-0 Nf6 9.Nc3 Bb7 10.Bf4± White has a big lead in development.] 7.0-0
[7.Bxc4?! Bb7 8.Nc3 Qc7„] 7...Bb7 8.Nd2! White wants to be able to take back with the knight
to invade the d6-square. 8...d5 [8...Nc6 9.Nxc6 Bxc6 10.Nxc4 Bxe4 11.Qd4 Nf6 12.Bf4±;
8...Qc7 9.Nxc4 Bxe4 10.Be3 Followed by 11.Rc1 with great compensation.] 9.exd5
Position after: 9.exd5
9...Bxd5 [9...exd5 10.Re1 Be7 11.Bf3+– Black is unable to finish his development due to the threat
of 12.Nf5.] 10.Nxc4 Nd7 11.Bf4+– And it is a nightmare for Black as in Cornette, D (2293) –
Greeff, M (2080) Dubai 2011. My advice is that you go over these lines with a computer to
convince yourself that the whole line is crushing for White.
B) 5...Qc7 6.0-0 Nf6 7.Nc3
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And now it appears Black should choose between two moves that lead to completely different
openings which contain a lot of theory. This does not mean you should not play this, but it is a bit
frustrating to play a Kan Sicilian and to end up in a different system against a sideline like 5.Be2.
7...d6 This is already a Scheveningen Sicilian. [7...Nc6 8.Be3 This is one of the main lines of the
Taimanov Sicilian, and depending upon what Black plays, it can also be a Scheveningen Sicilian.]
6.f3?!
We have already talked about this idea many times. First of all, White seems to be willing to castle
kingside which does fit the idea of f3 & g4 with a kingside attack when the white king has castled to
the kingside. With the dark diagonal (g1-a7) weakened Black should aim at opening the centre. For
example:
A) 6.Nc3 This move and other more important variations will be covered in the next subchapters.
B) 6.e5? This is probably the worst way to reply as it loses a pawn. It is crazy to see that more than
70 people managed to blunder like this. 6...Qa5+!
238
Position after: 6...Qa5+!
Of course, we can easily grab the pawn. 7.Nc3 Qxe5 8.0-0 Nc6 9.Nf3 Qc7µ There are many games
that have been played from this position but none of them is worth examining. The queen retreats to
a natural square and Black has gained an important central pawn for which White has no
compensation. It is easy to guess that Black will be able to take advantage of this by playing ...d5
soon.
C) 6.Bg5? This is another bad way to try to be smart while taking care of the attacked e4-pawn. We
apply the same medicine: 6...Qa5+! 7.Qd2 [7.Bd2 Qb6! White cannot parry every threat. 8.Nb3
Nxe4 9.Be3 Qc7 10.0-0 Nc6µ] 7...Bb4! Apparently White overlooked the follow up. 8.c3 Nxe4!
239
Position after: 8...Nxe4!
The bishop on g5 is also attacked, so there is not any intermediate move for White. 9.cxb4 Qxg5
10.Qxg5 Nxg5 11.Nc3 f5µ We open the f7-square for the knight and have an extra central pawn in
this endgame. The temporary lack of development should not count much.
6...d5!?
240
Only one game has been played with this move, but it is the first move I consider when my opponent
plays an early f3.
6...Bc5!? I also like this natural move a lot. 7.Nb3 [7.Nc3 d5 8.e5 Nfd7 9.f4 Qb6ƒ] 7...Ba7 8.Nc3
[8.Qd6! This seems necessary just to hold the balance. 8...Nc6 9.Nc3 b5 10.Bd2 Bb8 11.Qc5 Ba7=]
8...d5 9.Bg5 Qb6‚ Even now we have some mating ideas.
7.e5
Clearly a necessity.
7.exd5 Nxd5 8.0-0 Bd6³ The pawn on f3 looks pointless and weakening.
7...Nfd7 8.f4 Nc6 9.c3 Qb6ƒ
Position after: 9...Qb6ƒ
It is very difficult for White to keep control over the dark squares. It looks like a very good version of
the Advance Variation in the French Defence for Black.
b) 6.Qd3, 6.Nd2 & 6.Bf3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be2 Nf6
241
Now, let us have a look at 3 moves that are more interesting sidelines for White than in the last
subchapter, but still not dangerous.
6.Qd3
At least a few strong players have tried this move, while the other two moves has been tried in
amateur’s games and have obvious drawbacks as we will see.
A) 6.Nd2?! I think that the knight is always misplaced here, it is not his natural square, and it blocks
the bishop on c1. 6...Qc7 7.0-0 Bc5!?
A1) 8.c3 Nc6
242
9.N4b3 [9.b4 Be7 10.a3 0-0 11.Bb2 d5!ƒ] 9...Be7 Coming back to a7 is possible but I prefer to
play in the same way as after 8.N4c3. 10.f4 d6 11.Bf3 0-0 12.Qe2 b5³. White’s development
makes absolutely no sense to me, it is like White has no plan, as in Tate, W (1784) – Hansen, E
(2472) Victoria 2009.
A2) 8.N4b3 Be7 9.f4 d6 10.e5!?
Position after: 10.e5!?
243
At least here White is trying to take over the initiative. 10...Nd5 [10...dxe5 11.fxe5 Nfd7 12.Nc4
0-0 13.Bf4 Nc6ƒ I feel like White’s position is really close to collapsing.] 11.Nf3 [11.exd6 Bxd6
12.Ne4 Be7=] 11...0-0 12.c4 Nb6= 13.Bd2? This is way too slow to defend the centre. 13...Nc6
14.Bc3
Position after: 14.Bc3
And now in the game Gulde, J (1880) – Chuchelov, V (2550) Berlin 1995 that surprisingly ended
into a draw, Black could have simply played 14...Na4!µ gaining the bishop pair, or a pawn.
B) 6.Bf3?!
244
Position after: 6.Bf3?!
This is played more than 6.Qd3, but I really feel that the bishop in misplaced here as it blocks the f-
pawn which is needed to launch any kind of attack. Also, the bishop can be a target of a future
knight on e5. 6...Qc7!? Among the different possibilities for Black, let us use the same move against
the other moves of this subchapter.
B1) 7.Be3 Be7 8.Nd2 Nc6 9.0-0 [9.Nxc6 dxc6 10.0-0 0-0 11.c3 e5ƒ The bishop on f3 looks
awkward.] 9...Ne5!
If we are allowed to move here, we should do it even if the bishop can escape! 10.Be2 0-0 11.f4
Ng6 The knight is perfect here, it keeps an eye on f4, and it means 12.Bf3 is impossible right now.
12.c3 d6 13.Bf3 e5³ White has different misplaced pieces, and he has already lost a few tempi with
the light-squared bishop, that’s enough for us to be better.
B2) 7.0-0 Be7
245
We just want to castle and decide our optimal development a bit later, waiting for White to show
how he is going to develop the rest of his pieces. 8.Nc3 0-0 9.Re1 d6 It is a completely normal
position, with a weird bishop on f3. 10.Be3 [10.g3 Nbd7 11.Bg2 Rb8 12.a4 b6„ Black is clearly
fine due to the many tempi lost by White, and the fact that his overall system is quite harmless in
this kind of Hedgehog position as he does not have a full control over the centre, especially the d5-
square. This is where Black should try to breakthrough soon.] 10...Nbd7 11.Nb3 Ne5 12.Bd4
246
And now Black is better as in Vodopivec, V (2145) – Golubovic, B (2381) Postojna 2009, and he
could have simply played: 12...b5! 13.Be2 Bb7 14.f3 [14.Bf1 b4–+] 14...b4 15.Na4 Nfd7µ White
has a pointless position.
6...Qc7
Consistency! Everybody knows it is the logical square for the queen in the Sicilian, so we can go
there right now.
7.0-0
7.Nc3?! This seems worse because White does not have any idea of playing c4 anymore. 7...b5!
A) 8.Bf3?! Nc6! 9.Nxc6 dxc6
247
Position after: 9...dxc6
Compared to the main line it seems clear that the knight has nothing to do on c3. 10.0-0 [10.Bg5
Be7 11.Qe3 e5³] 10...Bd6 11.g3 [11.h3 0-0 12.Rd1 Be5µ] 11...0-0 12.Rd1 Be5 13.Be3 c5µ
B) 8.Qg3!?N Apparently a good novelty but I doubt it can be really strong. 8...d6 9.a3 [9.b4∞ My
computer wants this move, but it seems impossible to consider such a move...] 9...Bb7 10.f3 Nbd7
11.0-0 Be7!
Position after: 11...Be7!
248
This is the way to show the drawback of White’s conception, it is scary to take on g7, but it is
necessary to keep some logic in White’s play. 12.Qxg7 Rg8 13.Qh6 d5!© I would not like to be
White here.
C) 8.a3 Bb7 9.0-0 Be7 10.f4 d6³
Position after: 10...d6³
And I will stop here, it is extremely similar to what we analysed in the chapter about 5.Nc3 b5 6.a3,
but with the queen on d3 which is exposed for no apparent reason. Black will follow with ...Nbd7
with some ideas against the queen and the centre.
7...b5!?
I would still like to prevent c4 and develop the queenside.

7...d6?! We should avoid playing this move because of 8.c4! Nbd7 9.Nc3 b6 10.f4 Bb7 11.b4 Rc8
12.f5!
249
Position after: 12.f5!
The queen is actually well place on d3 to quickly reach the kingside. 12...Ne5 13.Qh3+– And White
was already winning and converted quickly in Shankland, S (2725) – Sheng, J (2451) Chess.com INT
2019.
8.Bf3!?
Probably the critical test.

8.Bg5 There is no real threat in this move because I doubt that White is happy to take on f6 which
gives up the bishop pair, opens the g-file and only slightly weakens our pawn structure. 8...Bb7
9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd2 Nc6 Black easily activates every piece, and he will probably castle on the
queenside. 11.N2f3 Rg8³
8...Nc6!N
250
Position after: 8...Nc6!N
8...Bb7 9.e5 Nd5 10.a4² This important move seems to somehow bring White an advantage.
9.Nxc6 dxc6 10.e5
This is the precise time to play this move.
10...Nd7
10...Nd5 11.c4 bxc4 12.Qxc4 a5 13.Re1 Ba6 14.Qg4 h5 15.Qe4 Rb8∞ Black is active, but he will
have issues finding the right place for his king.
11.Re1 Bb7 12.Bf4 g5!?
251
Position after: 12...g5!?
I find this approach really interesting.
13.Bg3!
13.Bxg5?! Nxe5 14.Qc3 Nxf3+ 15.Qxf3 c5 Black just needs to find a way to long castle. 16.Qh3
Be7 17.Bxe7 Qxe7³
13...h5 14.h3 0-0-0!„
White might be better according to a computer, but it is clearly a double-edged game with a kingside
attack already underway.
c) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.-- & 7.0-0
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be2 Nf6 6.Nc3
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This move resembles Chapter 3 with 5.Nc3, but we cannot react the same way. Black has many
choices but some transpose to other Sicilians and we are examining the Kan which explains my
choice!
6...Bb4!?
This is also a very logical approach; we just pin the knight that protects e4. However, Black needs to
understand that while he can weaken White’s pawn structure by taking on c3 he will give White
compensation on the dark squares especially by means of Ba3, as we will see in some variations in
this and the next two subchapters. In this first subchapter, we will consider the sidelines and less
dangerous lines for White.
A) 6...b5? Playing this move in the same spirit as in the previous chapter is impossible because of
7.e5!± and we must retreat the knight back to g8.
B) 6...Qc7 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Be3 We have already discussed this position in the first subchapter of this
chapter, and it is one of the main lines of the Taimanov, or later Scheveningen variations.
C) 6...d6 This is now a Scheveningen.
7.0-0
This is played more often than 7.e5, but I really feel it is easier to meet this move, and the variations
are less deep, so it does not deserve a full subchapter.
A) 7.e5 This interesting attempt, as well as 7.Qd3 which is the main move here, will be analysed in
the next subchapters.
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B) 7.Bg5? As on move 6, this is not a great try by White. 7...Bxc3+! [7...Qa5? This seems smart
too, but it does not work so well due to 8.Bd2!=] 8.bxc3 Qa5!
Once again, this is a strong reply. Black attacks c3 and g5, but also e4 since his knight is no longer
pinned. 9.Bxf6 [9.Bd2? No longer works due to 9...Nxe4µ.] 9...Qxc3+ 10.Kf1 gxf6µ Several games
reached this position, but there is no way White has enough compensation.
C) 7.Bf3?! As previously noted, blocking the f-pawn is a concession. 7...d5
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With the c3 knight pinned this central break is fine for Black. 8.exd5 Nxd5 9.Nde2 0-0 10.0-0 Nxc3
11.Nxc3 Qc7= Black has no problems and may even try to claim a slight advantage thanks to his
central pawn majority.
D) 7.f3?!
Another move that has been discussed many times which does not work well with kingside castling.
D1) 7...d5!? I want to make this work whenever I can. 8.e5 Nfd7 9.f4 Nc6 10.Be3 0-0 11.0-0
Bc5= This is more common in the French Defence, but it is also a pretty good version for Black.
This choice merely depends on your general chess knowledge.
D2) 7...Qc7 8.0-0! [8.Bd2?! In most of the games White was worried about losing a pawn, but he
should not, Black can only waste time taking twice on c3. 8...0-0 9.0-0? Bc5 10.Be3 d5µ 11.exd5?
e5–+] 8...Nc6 9.Be3 d5!
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Finally, we can plat this central reaction when 10.e5 is impossible. 10.exd5 exd5 11.Qd2 0-0ƒ
Black has an isolated queenside pawn, but he has a lot of activity and White still has this stupid
pawn on f3, weakening the e3-square.
7...d6
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Having control over the dark squares is really important, and that is why I would start with this move.
7...Bxc3 I would not go for this, because White will get clear compensation. 8.bxc3 Nxe4 9.Ba3!
Nxc3 10.Qd3 Nxe2+ 11.Nxe2© And it is clear we may never castle.
8.Bg5
A) 8.Qd3 The main move here, but it is just a transposition into the last subchapter about 7.Qd3.
B) 8.Bf3 0-0 9.Nde2 These plans are so slow for White. It has only been played once, and it cannot
be good. 9...Nc6 10.a3 Bc5 11.g3 e5!?
Position after: 11...e5!?
Black gets a lot of central squares, and he allows his light-square bishop to develop naturally (since
playing ...b5 is hard with a white bishop on f3). 12.Bg2 h6 13.Qd3 Be6³ I am not surprised that
Black went on to win in Kravtsiv, M (2672) – Quparadze, G (2506) Riadh 2017, he has great
prospects on the queenside, while White’s plan is not clear at all.
8...Nbd7 9.f4
9.Nb1 Someone tried this move and actually won with it, anything can happen! I would understand if
the bishop were in danger, but here that is not the case. 9...Qc7 10.Bd3 h6 11.Bh4 Bc5 12.Nb3 Ba7³
This is very similar to the first chapter we covered, but it is an incredibly good version for Black in
Balogh, C (2449) – Anka, E (2432) Budapest 2003.
9...b5!?N
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Position after: 9...b5!?N
This position is pretty much in the spirit of the Najdorf Sicilian, but with the bishop on b4 instead of
e7 or f8. And it seems really active for Black. Also, I think White’s set-up with Bg5 and f4 is more
appealing when he castles queenside.
9...h6 10.Bh4 Nf8? Black won in the following game, but his play is just too strange to be good.
11.e5 dxe5 12.fxe5 Ng6 13.exf6 Nxh4 14.Ne4± Ricardi, P (2519) – Hellsten, J (2534) Santiago de
Chile 2007.
10.Bf3 Bb7
I cannot find anything worrying for White to do.
11.a4!?
This move is natural when the b5-pawn is unable to advance, but here we have:
11.e5? Bxf3 12.exf6 Bxd1 13.fxg7 Rg8! 14.Bxd8 Bxc2 15.Nxc2 Bc5+ 16.Kh1 Rxd8µ Black will
take back on g7 and end up with a healthy extra-pawn.
11...Bc5 12.Kh1
12.axb5? e5–+ And White eventually loses his knight.
12...b4 13.Nce2 Qc7³
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Position after: 13...Qc7³
Black looks more than fine. White should play for an attack, but his centre is already under pressure,
and the white queen is far from the kingside.
d) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qd3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be2 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Qd3
Position after: 7.Qd3
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This is the most played move in the position. This is a very reasonable choice for White as it is
clearly less complicated than what we just analysed in the previous subchapter with 7.e5. Black has a
few options and I have chosen the most flexible one (and in accordance with the choice we made
against 7.0-0, because of the possible transpositions).
7.e5 This is less played, but I think it should be considered as the main line here. See the next
subchapters for this move.
7...d6!?
Less played than 7...Qc7 or 7...d5, but totally an option for Black.
8.0-0
Less ambitious than 8.Bd2 but not necessarily worse.

8.Bd2 This is the other option for White. The main goal of this move is not really to unpin the knight
but for White to consider queenside castling.
A) 8...Nbd7 Most of the games followed this move. It is logical to challenge the exposed queen on
d3, but it looks like White has a good continuation. 9.Nb3! Not only does this put more pressure on
d6, it also deprives the b4-bishop of any retreat square. 9...0-0 10.a3 Nc5! 11.Nxc5 Bxc5 and now
in the game Slingerland, F (2389) – Nijboer, F (2562) Hilversum 2009, 0-1 (17), Black won easily
but White should have played 12.Be3 b5 13.Bxc5 dxc5 14.0-0-0ƒ with slight pressure for White.
B) 8...e5!?
9.Nb3 0-0 10.a3 Bxc3 [10...Nc6!? Even this is playable but in the event of 11.axb4 Nxb4 12.Qg3
260
Nxc2+ 13.Kd1 Nxa1 14.Nxa1 d5!?∞ I am not sur I would like to be White here.] 11.Bxc3 Nc6
12.0-0-0
White has some pressure on d6 but it is unlikely that he will have time to take because of the threats
against e4. 12...Qc7! 13.f4 [13.f3?! This would be too slow 13...Rd8! 14.h4 d5³] 13...Rd8„ Black
follows with 14...Be6. The white minor pieces are not in active positions, and I feel the attack comes
more easily for Black.
8...0-0
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9.Bg5
White selected this move in most games. While it may be logical it is not particularly dangerous.
A) 9.a3 Looks to slow and simply provokes... 9...Bxc3 10.bxc3 Nbd7 11.Nb3 Ne5 12.Qd4 Nc6
13.Qe3 e5!
262
Black will easily finish his development. 14.Rd1 Qc7 15.Qd3 h6 Often useful to prevent Bg5 and
have a stabilized knight on f6. 16.h3 Be6³ As in the game Plenkovic, Z (2278) – Kovacevic, B
(2468) Pula 2006.
B) 9.Nb3 Nbd7 10.Rd1 [10.a3 Ne5 11.Qd4 Bxc3 12.bxc3 This position was previously examined
after 9.a3.] 10...Ne5 11.Qd4 Nc6 12.Qe3 Qc7 I am not sure the queen is great on e3 but after
13.Bd2 d5!
A draw was agreed in Fedorchuk, S (2633) – Hillarp Persson, T (2586) Budva 2009.
Black seems to have a great position. For example: 14.exd5 exd5 15.Qg3 Bd6 16.Qh4 Ne7ƒ With
many of White’s pieces on the queenside they are unable to do anything about Black’s kingside
activity.
9...Nbd7 10.Nb3
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Position after: 10.Nb3
Now out of all of Black’s different options I like the following.
10...b6!?
10...b5?! This has similar ideas, but White has: 11.a4!² with no good solution for Black.
11.Qd4
The queen moves away from possible threats of the d7-knight, and it forces our bishop to make a
decision.
11...Bxc3 12.bxc3
12.Qxc3?! Bb7!³
264
Position after: 12...Bb7!³
The pawn on e4 is under pressure. 13.f3?? Nxe4 14.Bxd8 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Rfxd8–+
12...Qc7 13.Rad1 e5!N
Position after: 13...e5!N
This is often the way to stabilize the centre.

13...Bb7?! This was tactically easier for White. 14.Qxd6 This move is impossible in our variation.
265
14...Qxc3 [14...Qxd6 15.Rxd6 Bxe4 16.Rfd1²] 15.f3 Rac8 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.Qxb6 Qxc2 18.Rd2±
Harika, D (2492) – Krush, I (2477) Sochi 2015.
14.Qd3
14.Qxd6?! This is clearly less appealing here for White. 14...Qxd6 15.Rxd6 Nxe4 16.Bf3™
16...Nxd6 17.Bxa8 Nf6³ I would pick Black’s side because of the better pawn structure.
14...h6 15.Be3 Bb7! 16.Qxd6 Qxc3=
Position after: 16...Qxc3=
White’s bishops do not look strong in this case, and the chances are roughly balanced. Black has a
clear plan on the queenside while noting is clear for White.
e) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.e5 Ne4 8.Qd3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be2 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.e5!?
266
Position after: 7.e5!?
Objectively, this may be the most dangerous line in this position. A few years ago, a notable game,
Giri – Vitiugov, which eventually ended up in White’s favour, probably was just bad publicity for
Black in this variation.
7...Ne4
In this particular position, White only has two choices, and both have been tried.
7...Nd5 This is also a possibility that leads to slight differences, but the main problem is that it gives
White another interesting possibility in 8.Bd2ƒ.
8.Qd3
It’s not the most dangerous attempt, but we still need to play with great precision.
8.0-0!? See the next subchapter.
8...Qa5!
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We counterattack against the knight on c3.
9.0-0!
This sacrifices a pawn, but under better circumstances than 9.Qxe4.

9.Qxe4?! Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 [10.Kf1 Bxd4! 11.Qxd4 Nc6 Black is winning a pawn, and White can only
to get compensation, but it will not be completely fine for him. 12.Bd2! Qxe5 13.Qxe5 Nxe5 14.f4
Nc6 15.Kf2 d5³ I would take Black’s side without any hesitation.] 10...Qxc3+
268
11.Kd1! [11.Bd2? Qxa1+ 12.Bd1 This is too slow for White to be good. 12...Nc6 13.Nxc6 bxc6
14.0-0 Rb8–+ White did not have enough in Jolly, J (2369) – Genov, P (2437) Guingamp 2011. 0-1
(34)] 11...Qxa1 Sebastian, D – Fuhrmann, D (2300) Hamburg 1993 12.Nb3! By far the best try by
White. He wants to chase our queen from a1 12...d5! A hard move, and maybe the only one to keep
an edge. [12...Qxa2 13.Qg4!∞; 12...Qc3 13.Ba3©] 13.Qa4+ b5! 14.Bxb5+ axb5
Position after: 14...axb5
15.Qxa8 [15.Qxb5+?? Bd7 16.Qxb8+ Rxb8 17.Nxa1 0-0–+] 15...Qxe5 16.Re1 Qc7 17.Qa3 Nc6
18.Qc5 Qd7³ Black will continue with 19...f6 to bring the king to f7. He should still be better due to
his extra pawn and the white king in an unsecure place, but it is definitely the most complicated
variation.
9...Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bxc3 11.Rb1
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Position after: 11.Rb1
11...Nc6!
11...Bxd4 12.Qxd4 Nc6 13.Qg4 0-0 This has been tried a couple of times by Black, but I checked
14.Rb3© And White has great compensation.
12.Nxc6 dxc6 13.f4
This occurred in Heuer, V – Poutiainen, P Tallinn 1977, and now I prefer
13...Bb4=
270
Position after: 13...Bb4=
This is probably Black’s safest continuation. White still needs to prove why he invested a pawn here.
For the moment White only has enough compensation to claim equality.
f) 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.e5 Ne4 8.0-0
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be2 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.e5!? Ne4 8.0-0!?
Position after: 8.0-0!?
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This is an interesting pawn sacrifice that needs to be checked with great carefulness.
8...Nxc3!
Here, we transpose also in the main line of 7...Nd5. Black has other choices including 8...Bxc3?
9.bxc3 Nxc3 10.Qe1 Nxe2+ 11.Qxe2 0-0 12.Ba3 Re8 13.Rab1 b5 14.Rb3±. Our king is extremely
lonely, and the attack is going to be dangerous.
9.bxc3 Bxc3 10.Ba3!
This is the point, White also sacrifices the exchange, but Black will not have time to castle.
10.Rb1?! Nc6!
We have time for this move, intending to trade the knights, and to be able to attack the pawn on e5
with the bishop. 11.Nxc6 dxc6 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Rd1+ Kc7 14.Be3 b5! [14...Bxe5 15.Bb6+ Kb8
16.Bf3© Black would clearly be paralyzed, even if it is playable.] 15.f4 Ba5 16.Bf3
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Black still is a pawn up, and I would improve on the game Rodshtein, T (2263) – Petrenko, S (2182)
Mamaia 2016, with 16...Bb7! 17.Bc5 Bb6 18.Bxb6+ Kxb6 19.Rd7 Rhf8 20.Rbd1 Rac8³ It looks
easier for Black to play and White must prove his compensation.
10...Bxa1!
Position after: 10...Bxa1!
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It feels like we should take the rook and hope for the best later. Strangely enough, only one game
continued this way.
10...Qa5?! The main move here. 11.Bd6 Nc6 12.Nxc6 dxc6
Position after: 12...dxc6
A) 13.f4 The “big game” of this variation continued like this. White won but 13.f4 may not be the
most accurate continuation. 13...Bxa1 14.Qxa1 Qd2 15.Bd3 Qe3+ 16.Kh1© And it is clearly hard
for Black. Giri, A (2714) – Vitiugov, N (2729) Reggio Emilia 2012.
B) 13.Qd3!N I believe this is a strong novelty yet everyone has played as Giri. It seems that taking
on a1 is just hopeless for Black. 13...Bxe5! 14.Rad1± With an overwhelming position for White.
11.Qxa1 b5!N
I see this as a strong novelty. People who love computer analysis will argue that there are still ways to
find an edge for White.
But it is clearly a computer line, and there are plenty of ways for White (and of course for Black) to
misplay, and if you are well prepared, it feels interesting. Anyway, Black is willing to develop his
pieces, and it forces White to have an effective plan.
11...Qa5? 12.Bd6 Nc6 13.Nxc6 dxc6 14.Qd4 Black is left with no play in these middlegames.
14...Bd7 15.Rd1 Qd8 16.Qg4 g6 17.Qf4+– This was the game Espinosa Aranda, A (2399) –
Schlittermann, W (1751) Las Palmas 2012
274
12.Bf3!?
It is hard to say which move should be the main line, but it looks like the most logical to me.
A) 12.Rd1?! Bb7 13.Qc3 Nc6 14.Nf5!
Position after: 14.Nf5!
White must settle for this move, which normally leads to passive trades. 14...exf5 15.e6 Qf6™
275
16.exf7+ Kd8 17.Qxf6+ gxf6 18.f8=Q+ Rxf8 19.Bxf8 Ne5= We have a weird pawn structure, but
still an extra pawn.
B) 12.Bd6?! This is not so useful for White. The bishop is strong, but the move gives us time.
12...Bb7 13.Rd1 Nc6„
C) 12.c4!? This is the other strong move according to the computer, but I doubt anyone will ever
find the right moves over the board. 12...Bb7! 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Bd6
[14.Nxb5?! Rxa3! 15.Nxa3 Qg5 16.g3 0-0„ Black has a totally fine position, and 16...Qd2 may
also be strong.] 14...f5! Now in this position Black has some choices and my preference is for this
move which leads to a crazy line. [14...Qg5 15.g3 f5 16.h4 Qd2 17.a3 b4 18.Bxb4 Qxb4 19.axb4
Rxa1 20.Rxa1²]
C1) 15.exf6?! Qxf6 16.Qd1 Kf7! Black is willing to continue with ...Rc8 and ...Kg8, and he seems
to have time for it. 17.f4!? Now 18.f5 is a threat and we need to stop it. 17...Nc6! 18.Nxb5 Rhc8
19.Be5 Qd8 20.Nd6+ Kg8= Black does not lose a piece due to 21...Qb6+, so White can get his
exchange back, but then the position is just complicated.
C2) 15.Nxf5! exf5
C2.1) 16.e6?! Qg5 17.Bh5+!!
276
Position after: 17.Bh5+!!
17...Kd8™ 18.e7+ Kc8 19.Qc1+! White is getting mated if he promotes on e8. 19...Qxc1
20.Rxc1+ Bc6 21.Be5! Kb7 22.Bxg7 Rg8 23.e8=Q Rxe8 24.Bxe8 Rxa2= And anything can
happen here, the bishop pair is strong, but we have an extra passed pawn on b5.
C2.2) 16.Bh5+ g6 17.e6
Position after: 17.e6
17...Rg8™ 18.e7! A crazy variation! 18...Qb6 19.Qf6 And eventually, 20.Qf8 is a deadly threat,
277
so we have no choice but to play 19...Qxd6! 20.Qxd6 gxh5 Now g2 is under attack. 21.g3 Nc6
22.Rd1 Bc8∞
Position after: 22...Bc8∞
My computer claims there is still a small edge for White, but we have more than enough material
for the queen. This is the kind of position where the exact evaluation does not really matter as the
stronger player will eventually win.
12...Ra7 13.Bc5! Rc7 14.Bb6
278
Position after: 14.Bb6
White regains the exchange but gives up the dark-square bishop.
14...d5!
Black needs to organize his counterplay, and this is more or less needed.
15.exd6 Qxd6 16.Bxc7 Qxc7 17.Nf5!!
And as in the 12.c4 variation, White only remains better thanks to amazing moves! Clearly there are
chances for White to misplay.
17...f6!
17...exf5?? 18.Qxg7 Rf8 19.Re1+ And we are defenceless. 19...Be6 20.Rxe6++–
18.Bh5+ Kf8 19.Qd4!!
Position after: 19.Qd4!!
19...Nd7!
We can still fight back!

19...exf5?? 20.Re1 Bd7 21.Qe3+– And now for example: 21...Qd8 22.Qc5+ Kg8 23.Qd5+ Kf8
24.Qf7#
20.Re1 e5 21.Qd2
279
21.Qd5?! Nb6! And Black escapes. 22.Qe4 Bxf5 23.Qxf5 Ke7=
21...Nc5!N
One of the threats was Qb4+
22.Rd1!
Position after: 22.Rd1!
The only move to avoid ending up worse.
22...Bxf5
And this time we have no choice but to give up another exchange.
23.Qd8+ Qxd8 24.Rxd8+ Ke7 25.Rxh8 Bxc2²
As in the 12.c4 line, the engine gives an evaluation around +0.50 for White, but with 2 pawns and a
better king against the exchange I do not think that White is the only one that can be playing for a
win. And again, what are the chances that anyone ever finds the best moves here. Even if White does
find the best moves you should be prepared.
Chapter Conclusion
I think the variation that we analysed in this subchapter is a critical and dangerous test, but fully
playable with the right ideas! Some theory might be required, but only if you are playing against
players who have an ELO above 2300. In other cases, I think remembering the move orders and the
main ideas is sufficient.
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Chapter 5
5.Be3
Chapter Guide
Chapter 5 – 5.Be3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be3 Nf6

a) 6.--
b) 6.Nd2
c) 6.Nc3
d) 6.Bd3 Qc7 7.--
e) 6.Bd3 Qc7 7.0-0
a) 6.--
281
This is the 5th most played move in the position thus it makes sense to have it in the 5th chapter of
the book. Even if it is a rare guest in high-level games (it has only been played twice by players with
ELO ratings over 2600, it is important to understand the different move orders and transpositions,
what is playable or not. First off, let us see why I choose 5...Nf6 as our main line, as in the previous
chapter about 5.Be2.
5...Nf6!
I think that challenging the e4-pawn and seeing how White protects it is the right thing to start with.
In this section we will focus on two of the side lines for White which are less natural ways to defend
it!
5...b5?! Once again, playing this move while White has not played Nc3 looks a little bit premature.
Among White’s options is the interesting 6.c4! [6.a4 This move also makes a lot of sense to me,
forcing Black to take a decision with his b-pawn.] 6...bxc4 7.Bxc4²
282
Position after: 7.Bxc4²
We can argue that Black has a central pawn majority, but White’s central play is going to be very
easy, and he is clearly ahead in development.
6.f3?!
Black can take over the initiative.
283
A) 6.Nc3 This move, as well as 6.Nd2 and 6.Bd3, are the subjects of the next subchapters.
B) 6.e5? Is a mistake just like 5.Be2 which we previously covered. Not many have played 6.e5 since
6...Nd5 is a good answer for Black as well as 6...Qa5+ 7.Nc3 Qxe5µ.
6...e5!?
Very forcing and not played very often. While not in the spirit of the 2...e6 Sicilians when a move is
strong you should play it.
6...Qc7 This is more in the spirit of our opening, but it is also less forcing as White has plenty of
moves. But I would say that he will often follow with ...d5 with a great position. The point of having
played 6...Qc7 is that White cannot close the position by e4-e5. And it works even if White tries to
avoid it! For example: 7.c4 d5! 8.exd5 exd5 9.Nc3 dxc4 10.Qa4+ Nbd7 11.Bxc4 Bc5
Heading into a complicated middlegame. Once again, White regrets having played f3. 12.0-0-0 0-0
13.Qc2 b5 14.Bb3 Re8ƒ The white king does not look safe on this side of the board.
7.Nb3
7.Nf5?! d5 8.Bd3 Bxf5!N 9.exf5 Nbd7 10.0-0 Bc5 11.Bxc5 Nxc5µ Black has a great centre, and he
might be able to grab the f5-pawn at some point.
7...d5!
284
The point of 6...e5! White cannot play 8.e5 closing the centre.
8.exd5
Most players decided to take, but it is pretty clear the bishop on e3 is misplaced.
8.Bg5 And the rest of the players went for this variation. There is a theoretical line that exist and is
better than this one. Consider the Sicilian with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.f3 e5 6.Nb3
d5 7.Bg5. This is the exact same position, except that here the pawn is already on a6. And it makes a
huge difference in Black’s favour, because the possibilities of Bb5 (with check or pinning a future
knight coming to c6) are very important for White! Here we can go 8...d4! 9.c3 Nc6 10.Bc4 [10.cxd4
exd4 11.Bd3 Bd6 White will have a lot of problems on the dark squares, due to his pawn chain on the
light-squares. 12.0-0 h6 13.Bh4 Qc7µ] 10...Be7 11.0-0 0-0 12.cxd4 exd4 13.Na3
285
Position after: 13.Na3
All this occurred in Firouzja, A (2456) – Vitiugov, N (2726) Doha 2016, and even if Black won
convincingly, there is a possible improvement here with: 13...b5!N 14.Bd3 Be6 15.Rc1 Rc8µ. I think
the potential weakness of the d4-pawn is clearly compensated for by Black’s active pieces.
8...Nxd5 9.Bf2 Nc6 10.Bc4!
Position after: 10.Bc4!
286
Apparently, the only way to keep the balance.
10.Be2?! Be6 11.0-0 Nf4³
10...Be6! 11.0-0 Ne3! 12.Bxe3 Bxc4 13.Re1 f6!?=
It is clear that Black cannot be worse. He has the luxury of securing the e5-pawn, and the apparent
weakening of the light squares is ok because Black is the only side with a light-square bishop.
b) 6.Nd2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be3 Nf6! 6.Nd2
We have also considered this move in the 5.Be2 chapter, but here at least it does not prevent the dark-
square bishop from developing. While it is not natural development, I would not say it is a bad move.
6...Qc7!
287
As often, the most logical continuation. The idea is to control the e5-square, and to push 7...d5 with
the reaction 8.e5 being impossible. We cannot go deep in every variation, but I will still briefly check
White’s five most important variations.
7.Bd3
This also does not prevent ...d5, but at least the bishop is defending the e4-pawn.
A) 7.c3?! d5! There is no strong way to react for White, his bishop on e3 is too exposed to take on
d5. 8.Bd3 Bd6 9.g3 Nbd7!
288
Keeping the tension and bringing the knight into play is simple and great. 10.exd5 Nxd5 Black has
active pieces and no weakness at all. White does not have the same! 11.Ne4 Nxe3 12.fxe3 Be7µ
James, D (2199) – Plaskett, H (2490) West Bromwich 2004.
B) 7.Be2?! This move does nothing to prevent 7...d5!.
B1) 8.exd5?! Nxd5 9.Bg5! The best in a position that is already bad for White. 9...h6 10.Bh4 Nf4!
289
With this move the knight is remarkably strong. It can either remain here or take the bishop. The
fact that White is better developed would be relevant if he had good development. 11.0-0 Bc5
12.N4b3 Ba7 13.Bf3 0-0 14.Bg3 e5³
B2) 8.Bf3 e5! 9.N4b3 d4 10.Bg5 Be7 11.0-0 Nc6³ We can only “congratulate” White for the nice
development of the bishop on f3.
C) 7.f4
This move prevents ...d5 because White would push e5. However, it weakens the dark diagonal.
7...Bc5 8.c3 d6 9.Qf3 0-0 10.Bd3 And now, to improve the game Benson, C (1924) – Ly, M (2376)
Queenstown 2012, there is the strong continuation: 10...b5! 11.e5 [11.0-0 e5! This breaks White’s
harmony in the centre. 12.Nf5 Bxf5 13.exf5 Bxe3+ 14.Qxe3 Re8³] 11...dxe5 12.fxe5 [12.Qxa8??
The rook is obviously untouchable. 12...exd4 13.cxd4 Bb7–+] 12...Qxe5
290
Getting rid of the pawn looks strongest. 13.Ne4 Nd5 14.Nc6 Nxc6 15.Bxc5 Rd8³ I doubt White has
enough for a pawn.
D) 7.c4 Bc5!? I like this move the most. We try to challenge the knight on d4, which is less
defended since White played 6.Nd2. 8.f3
Eventually this move will be necessary if White wants to be able to move his knight away from d2
291
with b3 being his most natural square. [8.Be2 d6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Rc1 White is getting nowhere if he
keeps avoiding the move f3. 10...Nc6 11.Nxc6 Bxe3 12.fxe3 Qxc6ƒ] 8...0-0 9.Be2 b6!? Bringing
the bishop to b7 will give Black more possibilities to play for ...d5 at some point. 10.0-0 Nc6
11.N2b3 e5 12.Nc2 d6! 13.Nxc5 It is hard to never take on c5 for White. 13...bxc5= Once it is done
Black has great control over the d4-square, and he will be able to bring the knight there.
7...d5!
8.f4!?
Strangely enough, White is ready to play such a move. Now we need to take on e4 if we want to
prevent 9.e5.
8.0-0 Bd6 9.f4 [9.h3 Nbd7„] 9...dxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 Nd7!=
292
Position after: 11...Nd7!=
Bringing the knight to f6 before castling is safe for Black. It is not clear that White is happy to have
played f4 in this middlegame because it is weakening, and not so useful.
8...dxe4 9.Nxe4 Nd5 10.Qf3
Position after: 10.Qf3
10...Bd7!
293
10...Nxe3 11.Qxe3 Black enjoys the advantage of the bishop pair, but it cost him some important
moves, and I would say that White’s position is interesting. 11...Nc6 12.Nxc6 Qxc6 13.0-0-0 Bd7„
Teske, H (2538) – Drabke, L (2433) Germany 2004.
11.0-0-0 Nc6ƒ
Black’s threat is to take on d4 and then f4. The position is complicated, but Black looks safe, the
knight on d5 is a monster.
c) 6.Nc3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be3 Nf6 6.Nc3
This is the most natural way for White to defend the e4-pawn even if it is not the most played move.
6.Bd3 This will be covered in the next two subchapters.
6...Qc7!?
I have chosen this line because it is very useful to understand the kind of transposition that may arise
with other chapters. One of the first ideas of this move is to prevent the move e4-e5 thereby securing
the f6-square for our knight. Black usually follows with 7...b5 or 7...Bb4 depending on what White
plays.
A) 6...Bb4 This is another line that I could have suggested but there is no transposition with the
variations previously covered.
294
B) 6...b5 This is not good immediately because of: 7.e5!±.
Position after: 6...Qc7!?
7.Be2
Let us call this the main line. Not because it is the best, but it is one of the only decent moves that we
have not already seen elsewhere in this book, especially in the Chapter 3 about 5.Nc3.
A) 7.f3?! Bb4 8.Qd2 This will be covered in 7.Qd2, which is the next line!
B) 7.Bd3
295
This is the most played move, but it has no independent value. 7...b5 8.0-0 This move, as well as
8.f4, are both a transposition into chapter 3 about 5.Nc3 b5, in the first subchapter with 6.Be3. [8.a3
Bb7 And this one is covered in chapter 3 too, in the subchapter about 6.a3 Bb7 7.Be3.]
C) 7.Qd2?! This kind of move is already a big mistake. It does not prevent any of Black’s threats
...Bb4 and ...d5 7...Bb4!
White has two different ways to protect e4, but none of them is great.
C1) 8.f3?! This is probably even worse for White. 8...d5! It is not necessary to hope for a solution
for White, Black is already much better. 9.Bd3? This is White’s main reaction, but it is already
losing. [9.exd5 Nxd5 10.a3 Bxc3 11.bxc3 0-0µ Black’s position looks good.; 9.e5 Qxe5 10.0-0-0
Qc7 11.Bf4
296
11...Bd6!N 12.Bxd6 Qxd6µ; 9.a3 Bxc3 10.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 11.bxc3 dxe4³] 9...e5!–+ Black follows
with ...d4, just winning a piece.
C2) 8.Bd3 d5!
9.exd5 [9.f3? still loses a piece after 9...e5–+ Just like 8.f3?!.] 9...Nxd5 10.Nde2™ 10...Nxe3
11.Qxe3 Nd7 12.0-0 Nf6 13.Qg3 White is trying to escape with a draw in the endgame, but he
297
will have to suffer. 13...Qxg3 14.Nxg3 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Bd7³ In the end, it was not enough for
White to hold in Studer, N (2341) – Grigoryan, K (2563) Budva 2013.
D) 7.a3 b5
D1) 8.f3 Bb7 We have already analysed this position in the first subchapter of chapter 3 dealing
with 6.Be3 in the 7.f3-variation.
D2) 8.Bd3 Bb7 This is also a transposition into chapter 3, in the subchapter about 6.a3 Bb7 7.Be3.
D3) 8.Be2 Bb7 9.Bf3?! This quite illogical variation is the only one that has an independent value.
9...Nc6!
D3.1) 10.0-0 Ne5 11.Bf4 [11.Re1 Bd6 12.h3 0-0µ It is like White is unable to move anything!]
11...Bc5 12.Nb3 Ba7 White’s development really makes little sense; Black has a great position in
every variation. 13.Be2 [13.Re1 d6µ] 13...0-0 14.Bd3 Rac8 15.h3 d6µ
D3.2) 10.Nxc6 dxc6! 11.0-0 Bd6 With this awful bishop on f3, White is unable to do anything in
the centre. 12.h3 [12.g3 0-0 13.Qe2 c5 14.Rfd1 Be5µ] 12...0-0 13.Qe2 c5 14.Rad1 Bh2+ 15.Kh1
Be5µ
298
Position after: 15...Be5µ
This is so boring to play with White, there is no plan at all except trying to trade some pieces and
hope for drawing chances.
7...Bb4 8.0-0!
This is the best for White, but if we compare it to chapter 4 with 5.Be2 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.0-0, it looks
like a worse version because the bishop is not great on e3. It would probably be more active on g5, or
on a3 if Black takes on c3 at some point.
8.Qd3? This has been played in most of the games. But it is just a mistake that we can refute with
8...Nxe4! not a hard tactic 9.Qxe4 Bxc3+–+ White is unable to take back due to the hanging rook on
a1, so White is already lost.
8...Bxc3!
299
Position after: 8...Bxc3!
We can take advantage of the impossibility for White to play Ba3 at some point placing the bishop on
the weak diagonal for Black.
9.bxc3 Nxe4!?
9...d5!? This is another less explored option, more based on piece activity.
10.Bd3
10.c4 Nc3 11.Qd3 Nxe2+ 12.Nxe2! Nc6= In might be around equal, but I would choose Black’s side
for sure.
10...d5 11.c4!? Nf6 12.cxd5 Nxd5©
300
Position after: 12...Nxd5©
As shown in the game Zawadzki, S (2428) – Stohl, I (2561) Czech Republic 2004, White has some
compensation, but it is not enough for an advantage.
d) 6.Bd3 Qc7 7.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be3 Nf6 6.Bd3
301
This move does not appear to be as logical as 6.Nc3, but at least there are less possibilities like ...Bb4
for Black. This is probably the reason why it is the main line here. If we compare this position with
the one dealing with 5.Bd3 we see that 6...Bc5 is not possible here due to 7.Nxe6.
6...Qc7
This is the main move, and it is in the same spirit as the rest of this chapter. It prevents any e4-e5
ideas and develops the queen on its natural square. In this first subchapter, we will consider every
sideline apart from 7.0-0. However, we do need to keep in mind that there might be some
transpositions.
6...e5 7.Nb3 d5!? This is another interesting variation which is less played but appears promising. If
you want something less mainstream, then you may want to investigate this idea.
7.Nd2
This is going to be our main line. The knight avoids the c3 square where it can be pinned or chased.
A) 7.0-0 See the next subchapter.
B) 7.Nc3 This move has not been played a lot in this exact position, but we already covered it in the
previous subchapter.
C) 7.f4 This is a direct approach, but it does not seem that White is threatening anything as we
would easily meet 8.e5 with 8...Nd5. But the idea it probably to meet ...d5 with e5! 7...b5.
302
This is what seems the most logical to me. White has weakened the e4 square with his last move, so
we want the bishop on the long diagonal. 8.0-0 Bb7 9.Nd2 Bc5 10.Kh1 [10.c3 0-0 11.Kh1 See the
main line.] 10...d6 11.c3 [11.Qe1 Nbd7 12.Qh4 0-0 13.Rf3 In this case we can also find a way to
play for ...e5. 13...Qb6! 14.c3 e5 15.Nf5 Bxe3 16.Rxe3 exf4 17.Qxf4 Ne5 The knight has a
dominant square here and it can also come back to defend. 18.Qg5 Ng6„] 11...Nbd7 12.Qe1 There
have not been any games from this position so a possible continuation might be the following.
12...0-0 13.Qh4 e5!
303
This might appear frightening as it leaves the f5 square to the white knight, but it stops any e4-e5
ideas and may be a way for us to eventually get the e5 square for a knight. 14.Nf5 Bxe3 15.Nxe3
Rae8 16.Nf5 [16.f5?! The knight wanted this square and now we can react in the centre. 16...d5³]
16...g6 17.fxe5 dxe5 and now it seems that White should be the one to try to force a draw with
18.Nh6+ Kg7 19.Rxf6 Nxf6 20.Nf5+ gxf5 21.Qg5+ Kh8 22.Qxf6+ Kg8 23.Qg5+ Kh8=. White
has no other choice but to take the draw.
7...d5!?
In the same spirit as the next subchapter, we can immediately react in the centre.
8.f4
A) 8.0-0 This will be covered in the next subchapter with 8.Nd2.

B) 8.exd5?! Nxd5 Looks good for Black with the possibility of taking on e3 whenever we want. 9.0-
0 Nxe3 10.fxe3 Nd7!N
304
Position after: 10...Nd7!N
A really precise move giving us the possibility of bringing the knight to d6 for defense or to the
strong e5 square. [10...Bd6?! This gives White an annoying possibility. 11.Qh5 g6 12.Qh6∞]
11.Ne4 [11.Qf3 Nf6! 12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Bd6 14.h3 0-0µ] 11...Ne5! 12.Qh5 Be7 13.Rad1 Bd7
There is no rush at all, we can just develop the remaining pieces. [13...0-0?? Of course, you cannot
go for this blunder. 14.Nf6+ Bxf6 15.Qxh7#] 14.Ng5 Bxg5 15.Qxg5 0-0³ White’s activity is just
visual. Black has the better pawn structure which should prevail to get an advantage.
C) 8.c3?! Nbd7!
305
Black has time for this move. 9.Bc2 [9.0-0?! White seems well developed, but he cannot really do
much in the centre, we are totally in control. Let us make some threats: 9...Nc5 10.Qc2 Ng4!
11.N2f3 Nxe3 12.fxe3 dxe4 13.Bxe4 g6µ.] 9...b5! Finishing our development in the most active
way, we are ready to attack on e4. 10.0-0 Bb7 11.exd5 Nxd5 12.Ne4 Be7³ It is impossible not to
like Black, just look at that healthy development!
8...dxe4!
We should take, otherwise White closes the centre with 9.e5, and he already has full control over the
important d4 square.
9.Nxe4
Position after: 9.Nxe4
9...Nbd7
9...Nd5 I am not fond of this move, I feel it is too slow, we are clearly under-developed. 10.Qf3
Nxe3 11.Qxe3 Nc6 12.Nxc6 Qxc6 13.0-0-0 Bd7„ Teske, H (2538) – Drabke, L (2433) Germany
2004.
10.Qf3 Be7 11.0-0-0
This is the way for White to get a double-edged position.
306
11...0-0 12.g4 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 Nf6 14.Qf3 Bc5„
Position after: 14...Bc5„
I would say that the chances are approximately equal. White looks ready to advance his attack, but it
is rather difficult to create anything with his pawns, and our counterplay in the centre is quick. We
will probably continue with ...Nd5 and ...Rd8, with a complicated position.
e) 6.Bd3 Qc7 7.0-0
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Be3 Nf6 6.Bd3 Qc7 7.0-0
307
This is by far the main move, and it is logical as White is waiting for us to show our cards before
committing with either Nc3, Nd2, f4 and even c4. It does make a difference, in these variations if the
king is already safely placed. That is why I believe we should make the first committal decision.
7...d5!
308
Just like we did against 7.Nd2 we immediately react in the centre. If White takes then we take back
and attack the bishop on e3.
White has 3 options.
8.Nc3!
I believe this is the only dangerous attempt, and it was played by the strongest players that reached
this position.
A) ≤ 8.Nd2 This is weaker than 8.Nc3. 8...e5!
Instead of transposing, this is also an interesting possibility. [8...dxe4!? If you want, you can also get
back to the main line like this. 9.Nxe4 And you can review the variation 8.Nc3 dxe4.] 9.N4b3
[9.Ne2 Be6 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nc3! A computer-move, but it clearly shows White’s problems.
11...Nxe3 12.fxe3 Nd7=] 9...Be6! 10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.Re1 Be7= White cannot really do much in the
centre, we are fine with him taking on d5, and it is an unpleasant situation for White.
B) 8.exd5?! Nxd5 9.Bd2
309
This is the most logical for White, but it is really slow. We can easily continue our development.
9...Bd6
B1) 10.h3 0-0 11.Nc3 Nf4! Again, this idea is strong. 12.Be3 Rd8³
B2) 10.g3 It is not great for the king, but at least it prevents the idea of ...Nf4 when Black often
obtains the bishop pair. 10...0-0 11.Nc3 Nxc3 12.Bxc3 Nd7 13.Qh5 h6! If Black is careful, he will
not be in danger on the kingside. we do not want to play 13...Nf6 here as it is stronger to place the
knight on c5. 14.Rfe1 Nc5 15.Bf1 b5 16.Bg2 Bb7 17.Bxb7 Qxb7=
B3) 10.Nf3 0-0 11.Nc3 Nf4!
310
12.Bxf4 Bxf4 13.Qe2 Nd7 14.Rad1 Nc5³ Black has the bishops and the easier position as in
Setkauskas, V (2216) – Burstein, R (2308) Vilnius 2013.
8...dxe4!
This is the only good reaction for Black.

8...e5?
311
Position after: 8...e5?
Black can be tempted by this move (as against 8.Nd2), as it seems to win a piece. A few players
followed the temptation but White has a strong idea in response. 9.Nxd5! Nxd5 10.exd5 exd4
11.Bxd4 White has two pawns for the piece but also two amazing bishops, and it is not clear that we
can find a safe place our king. 11...Be7 12.Bxg7 Rg8 13.Bd4 Bh3 14.Be4± Black gets a bit of
activity, but it is now 3 pawns and obvious compensation for the piece.
9.Nxe4 Nbd7
Once again, White is clearly better developed than we are. But as we have already seen several times
the fact that we managed to trade the e4 pawn enables us to have a safe position, and a good pawn
structure. We should be careful, but we are able to level the game if we can finish our development
safely.
10.Nxf6+
Most of the players chose this continuation and White’s results were decent.
10.Qe2 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 Nf6 12.Bd3
312
This is the same as if White goes 11.Qe2 in the main line and it is nothing special. 12...Bd6 13.h3
Nd5ƒ
10...Nxf6
The position is clearly fine for Black, and there are several possibilities for both sides to enter equal
middlegames. For example:
11.Nf3
11.Bg5 Be7 12.Re1 0-0 13.Qe2 Bd7
313
Black has the time he wants to develop his last pieces. 14.c3 Rfe8 15.Nf3 h6 16.Bh4 Nh5 17.Bxe7
Stripunsky, A (2495) – Kharitonov, A (2550) Kazan 1995.
11...Bd7 12.Bd4 Bc5 13.Be5 Bd6 14.Re1 Bc6 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.Ne5
Here at least White manages to get a bishop against a knight in an open position.
314
16...Rd8 17.Qe2 Qd5 18.Nxc6 Qxc6=
Black is well centralized, and he also has an extra pawn in the centre. White cannot claim any edge
here. The game we have followed ended up drawn. Nguyen, A (2537) – Wang, L (2306) Singapore
2007.
Chapter Conclusion
The line with 5.Be3 is a bit odd at first sight but White at least keeps some flexibility. Objectively the
line is fine for White, do not underestimate it!
315
Chapter 6
Various 5th moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.--
Chapter Guide
Chapter 6 – Various 5th moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6

a) Odds and Others
b) 5.a4
c) 5.a3!?
d) 5.g3 d5 6.--
e) 5.g3 d5 6.e5
a) Odds and Others
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6
316
Position after: 4...a6
In this chapter we will deal with several of White’s sidelines starting as early as move 5. As these are
often moves that we considered later in other variations, it may contain some transpositions, and of
course I will tell you in which subchapter it transposes. We will not look at every move but at those
which I found interesting or that were played by strong players. In this first subchapter we will look at
minor sidelines.
5.f4
It looks a bit strange to play this move this early, but it is not necessarily a mistake.
A) 5.g3 This move, as well as 5.a4 and 5.a3, will be considered in the next subchapters.
B) 5.Qd3 This has only been played in a dozen of games and by quite strong players. But it does not
have any great independent value. 5...Nf6 6.c4
317
A few players tried this move, but we cannot say it is great. It could also happen from 5.c4 Nf6
6.Qd3, as we did not consider this line at that time, we will do it here. [6.Be2 Transposing into
chapter 4 about 5.Be2 Nf6 6.Qd3, which is analysed in the second subchapter.] 6...d5!? by now I
think you have noticed that I like to act in the centre whenever it is allowed because White did
something strange. [6...Bb4+!? Is playable as well but I doubt White has anything stronger than
7.Nc3, and it transposes into chapter 2 with 7.Qd3, which is the main line nowadays.] 7.cxd5 exd5
8.exd5 Nxd5 9.Be2 Be7 10.0-0 0-0= Of course there is no problem at all for Black in this
symmetrical position.
C) 5.Bc4?! I am not sure an analysis of this move is needed. It has been played quite a lot, but it
makes little sense to me to place the bishop here helping Black play ...b5 at some point. 5...Nf6!
318
First, let us see how White defends his e-pawn.

C1) 6.e5? Is simply a familiar blunder. 6...Qa5+! 7.Nc3 Qxe5+–+
C2) 6.f3?! d5! Of course, against such a weakening move, we open the position. 7.exd5 b5! 8.Bb3
Nxd5 9.0-0 Bb7³ The pawn on f3 created a weakness and is also a loss of time.
C3) 6.Nc3 b5 7.Bb3 The only logical way to continue. [7.Bd3 Qc7 Compared to various lines we
analysed in 5.Nc3, Black is just a tempo up, and he can easily claim a good position.] 7...b4!
C3.1) 8.Nd5!N
319
Position after: 8.Nd5!N
Nobody found this sacrifice, which is the best attempt according to the computer. 8...Bc5!
[8...exd5?! 9.e5! Ng8 10.Bxd5©] 9.0-0 0-0 10.Nxf6+ Qxf6 11.c3 Bb7ƒ And even with the best
play, Black is more than fine.
C3.2) 8.Na4? Nxe4 9.0-0 Bb7!N
Position after: 9...Bb7!N
10.Be3 Be7µ White has no compensation for the pawn.
320
C3.3) 8.e5?! bxc3 9.exf6 Qxf6 10.bxc3 Bb7 11.0-0 Qg6 12.f3 Bc5³ And it is clear that Black has
the better position.
5...d5!?
In most of the cases in this book I refused to play ...d5 when f4 was already played. The reason is
positional. When e5 is possible against ...d5, White transposes into somewhat of an advanced French
Defence where White has control of the d4 square. But here, we can be active and play against this.
6.e5
Almost everybody played this logical move.

6.Nc3 dxe4 7.Nxe4 Nd7= This is the kind of position where the pawn on f4 would like to come back
to f2. Black follows with ...Ngf6.
6...Nc6!
We will immediately challenge the knight on d4.
7.c3
A) 7.Be3? This logical move is quite a serious mistake because of 7...Qb6!N
321
Position after: 7...Qb6!N
8.b3 Bc5 9.c3 Nge7µ White is in trouble as finishing his development will give him headaches.
B) 7.Nc3 Normally, White prefers to hold the d4-square, so this move does not really enter this
plan. But it does not mean it is a bad move. 7...Nge7!? 8.Be3 Nxd4 9.Bxd4 [9.Qxd4??
Position after: 9.Qxd4??
9...Nf5 10.Qd2 Nxe3 11.Qxe3 d4–+] 9...Nc6 10.Bf2 Bd7 11.Qd2 Qa5„ Black has good prospects
on the queenside.
322
7...Qb6 8.Nb3
Position after: 8.Nb3
If White does not want to transpose into positions like 7.Be3, he should move the knight immediately.
8...f6! 9.Bd3
9.exf6 Nxf6 10.Bd3 Bd6–+ White is unable to complete his development.
9...g6
9...fxe5? 10.Qh5+± This is a nasty intermediate move.
10.Qe2 Bg7 11.Be3 Qc7ƒ
323
Position after: 11...Qc7ƒ
White faces unpleasant pressure in the centre, it does not feel like it is as stable as it would be in the
advanced French Defence.
b) 5.a4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.a4
324
This is not something you should be afraid to meet. Against every Sicilian you will always find
players who just want to prevent your plan of playing ...b5, maybe because they find it strong, or
maybe just because they want to get you “out of book”, and out of your usual plans. But this state of
mind has some drawbacks. The main one is the weakening of the b4 square, and this is important,
especially in an opening where Black can still play ...Bb4 at some point.
5...Nf6
5...d5!? As in the previous subchapter against 5.f4, I think this move is interesting, and you should
investigate this line if you want. Keep in mind that the types of positions often resemble the French
Defence.
6.Bd3
With this move White wants to keep some possibilities of playing c3 to control the b4 square.
A) 6.e5? As seen many times this is a mistake. After 6...Qa5+–+ the e5-pawn falls.
B) 6.Nc3 This is the most played move, but I really feel it cannot be right for White from a practical
point of view, even if the computer does not condemn this move. 6...Qc7!
[6...Bb4 I find it less strong to immediately pin the knight. 7.Bd3 Qc7 8.0-0ƒ Black should not take
on c3 due to the weak dark squares, and that means his concept was not necessarily great.]
B1) 7.Be2 Bb4! 8.0-0 [8.Qd3? Played most of the time, but it is just a mistake. 8...Nxe4!µ White
is in deep trouble because he is unable to take back on e4.] 8...0-0 9.Bg5 Bxc3 10.Bxf6!
325
Position after: 10.Bxf6!
10...Bxb2 11.Nxe6! dxe6 12.Bxb2 e5!= It is important to immediately close the dark diagonal and
to be able to develop our bishop quickly.
B2) 7.Bd3 Nc6!
Here, challenging the d4-knight is more logical, and 7...Bb4 would transpose to 6...Bb4 which we
just discussed.
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B2.1) 8.Be3 Nb4!? 9.0-0 [9.Be2 d5!³ We are more than ready for this move, and we can see that
the bishop is misplaced on e3 once we take back on d5.] 9...b6!= I think the position is balanced
if White leaves the bishop on d3. Otherwise, if he tries to save his bishop pair, he may soon be
worse. 10.Be2 Bb7 11.f3 d5µ
B2.2) 8.Nxc6 bxc6 Recapturing with the pawn is the most logical. The idea is to follow with ...e5
when the position will be similar to the main line. 9.0-0 d5 10.Bg5 Bd6 11.h3 Nd7³
Position after: 11...Nd7³
It is easy for Black to play.
6...Nc6
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7.Nxc6
A) 7.c3?! d5! After this move White cannot push e5, and after 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.e5 Nd7³ White
clearly regrets having played c3.
B) 7.Be3 d5! This is also possible for Black. 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.e5 Nd7 10.f4 Bc5!N
Position after: 10...Bc5!N
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11.Qe2 Qb6 12.Bxc5 Nxc5µ White’s dark squares are extremely weak.
7...bxc6 8.0-0 d5 9.e5
9.exd5?! This move only helps Black, and it gives White less options. 9...cxd5 10.Qe2 Bd6³
9...Nd7 10.Re1 Qc7 11.Bf4 Rb8
Position after: 11...Rb8
This is one of the advantages for Black when recapturing on c6 with the b-pawn. The rook can easily
come into play.
12.b3 Rb4!?
12...Nc5!?„ Objectively this looks like a safer approach, but clearly it is less inventive by Black.
13.Bg3?!
13.c4!? This weakens the b3 pawn and thereby the b4-square, but it does keep the rook out of play.
13...h5 14.h4 Be7³
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Black takes over the initiative and the pawn on h4 is in huge trouble. He won convincingly in Schuls,
O (2224) – Ehlvest, J (2524) Puhajarve 2015.
c) 5.a3!?
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.a3!?
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In this subchapter, and the next one about 5.g3, one of the main difficulties is to keep in mind that
there are some transpositions, especially in the third chapter about 5.Nc3 b5 6.a3. Here I find 5.a3
more interesting, because it is quite flexible. White can choose to play with 5.Nc3, but he can also
place the knight on d2, or even often stronger play c4 first. That explains my choice, but I will try to
explain the drawbacks for Black in the other variations, to give you a full understanding of the
variation.
5...b5!?
Let us play this at once before we cannot!

A) 5...Nf6 This move was my initial idea. 6.Nc3 And now I thought it would be possible to
transpose into the third chapter, but it is actually not easy. First of all, in case of 6...b5, then 7.e5 is
annoying.
A1) 6...d6 7.g4!? This is a dangerous line in the Scheveningen (with a3/a6), and it might be
dangerous here, even if I think the inclusion of a3/a6 must favour Black. But it is really not in the
spirit of this book, and there are other interesting possibilities for Black. 7.g4 is not the only White
option.
A2) 6...Qc7 7.f4!
Position after: 7.f4!
This a dangerous line for Black as 8.e5 is a threat. 7...d6 8.Qf3!? This looks like more of a Najdorf
position, and it might not be to everyone’s taste.
B) 5...Qc7 6.c4!
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Position after: 6.c4!
This time, this move is a problem as we have not forced Nc3. And now that White has already
played a3, we cannot transpose into the lines of the second chapter with ...Bb4. [6.Nc3 b5 7.Bd3
Bb7 8.0-0 Nf6 This transposes into the second subchapter about 5.Nc3 b5 6.a3.] 6...Nf6 7.Nc3 b6
and we have reached another theoretical line (a Hedgehog structure) which I dislike as White is
generally able to pressure Black with an advantage.
Position after: 5...b5!?
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6.c4!?
White strives for quick central development.

A) 6.Nc3 Bb7 This one is easy and is discussed in chapter 3 with 5.Nc3 b5 6.a3 Bb7.
B) 6.Be3 Bb7 7.Bd3 Nf6
8.Nd2 [8.Nc3 Transposing into chapter 3.] 8...Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.f4 d6 11.Qe2 Nbd7= We have seen
many positions like this one. I will not analyse this one as it is unlikely to happen. I think the knight
is just worse on d2 than on c3. The only thing is that Black should be careful when playing ...Qc7
because of the possibility of c4.
C) 6.Be2 Bb7 7.Bf3 I doubt this can give us any worries. [7.Nc3 We dealt with this line in the
Chapter 3 with 5.Nc3 b5 6.a3 Bb7 7.Be2.] 7...Qc7 8.0-0 Nc6 9.Nxc6 Bxc6 10.Be3 Bd6 11.g3
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White eventually reorganizes his kingside, but it takes a lot of time. 11...Ne7 12.Bg2 0-0 13.f4
Bb7= Black intends ...Bc5 with a solid position.
D) 6.Bd3!? Bb7 7.0-0
Be careful here. Black cannot play 7...Nf6 due to the possibility of 8.e5 and you may be tempted by
7...d6, but it is a mistake. [7.Nc3 Qc7 see chapter 3 with 5.Nc3 b5 6.a3.]
334
D1) 7...d6? 8.c4!N This forcing move is great for White. 8...bxc4 9.Bxc4 And this may not seem
dangerous, but there are a lot of sacrifices for White on e6 since we played ...Bb7. The following
variations are plausible. 9...Nf6 [9...Bxe4? 10.Nc3 Bb7 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Nxe6 Qd7 13.Re1+–
Black is hopeless.] 10.Nc3 Be7?! 11.Bxe6! fxe6 12.Nxe6 Qd7 13.Nxg7+ Kf7 14.Nf5+– Again, a
terrible position for Black.
D2) 7...Nc6! We should trade in the centre and finish development later. 8.Nxc6 Bxc6 9.Nc3
Bd6!?N
Position after: 9...Bd6!?N
I like this developing move which gives the e7 square to the knight so that White does not have e5
with tempo. The bishop will return to c7. 10.Be3 [Let’s mention that 10.Bxb5 is well met with
10...Bxh2+, so Black isn’t losing a pawn.] 10...Ne7 11.f4 Bc7 12.Qe2 0-0 13.Rad1 f5!ƒ This is
Black’s idea. He wants to open the long diagonal for the light-squared bishop, and he has an active
position, easy to play.
6...bxc4!
6...Bb7 Unfortunately, this is far from being great for Black if he simply takes. 7.cxb5!N
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Position after: 7.cxb5!N
7...Bxe4 [7...axb5? 8.Nxb5 Bxe4 9.Bf4 Na6 10.N1c3 Bc6 11.b4+– We have failed at having safe
development.] 8.Nc3 When you see this kind of move, gaining tempos, there is something wrong
with your opening. 8...Bb7 9.Be2 Bxg2 Well, at least Black gets a pawn. 10.Rg1 Bb7 11.Bf4± There
is no guarantee that Black survives this middlegame.
7.Bxc4 Bb7 8.Nc3 Qc7 9.Bd3
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The good thing for Black is that he has a majority of pawns in the centre, but he has no easy way to
take further central space for now.
9...Nc6 10.Be3
10.Nxc6 Bxc6 11.0-0 Bd6 12.f4 Qb6+ 13.Kh1 Ne7„ This appears similar to the main line, White
has more space, but it does not ensure him the better position. I would not mind being Black here as
there is interesting play on both sides of the board. Black has the bishop for the kingside and the
rooks on the queenside.
10...Nf6 11.0-0 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Bd6 13.h3!
13.g3?! This is probably not a great option for White because playing f4 and e5 will clearly weaken
the long light square diagonal when our bishop on b7 will be a monster. 13...Be5 14.Bxe5 Qxe5ƒ
And White does not have a real plan.
13...Be5
14.Bxe5 Qxe5 15.f4 Qc7„
This is a better version for White than 13.g3. White may be slightly better, but Black has no weakness
and he will easily bring his rooks to the open files with an interesting position.
d) 5.g3 d5 6.--
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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.g3!?
Position after: 5.g3!?
As in the previous subchapter, White is trying to achieve a better version of from chapter 3, where
Nc3/...b5 is included. This time, my advice is to go for something different.
5...d5!?
Striking in the centre as before and taking advantage of the fact that if White captures the opening of
the light diagonal, is a weakness. While taking has obvious drawbacks for White he does have some
options.
A) 5...b5?! I am not fond of this approach now that White does not have the knight on c3. 6.Bg2
Bb7 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Re1ƒ Black should already be careful about the possibility of e5.
B) 5...Nf6 6.Bg2 Qc7 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Nc3 This is a transposition into the Taimanov Sicilian with h3,
so you can find many games with this position. While it is fine for Black you will need to know
additional theory.
338
6.Bg2?
It is amazing to see how many times this mistake has been played.
A) 6.Nc3
This has some similarities with 6.Bg2, but it is slightly stronger for White. 6...dxe4 7.Nxe4 e5!
339
8.Nb3 Qxd1+ 9.Kxd1 Here Black cannot gain a tempo on the piece on e4 as he did with 9...Nf6 in
the 6.Bg2-variation. 9...Nc6 10.Bg2 [10.Be3 Bg4+ 11.Be2 0-0-0+ 12.Ke1 Bf5= Black has good
development here, and it is important to remember that White cannot castle anymore.] 10...Bg4+
11.f3 0-0-0+ 12.Ke2 Be6 13.Be3 f5!?
Black is willing to take over the initiative. 14.Bh3 Kb8 15.Nec5 Bc8ƒ Ivanov, A (2545) – Zapata, A
(2530) Linares 1992.
B) 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.exd5 Qxd5!
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Position after: 7...Qxd5!
A safe option. I do not mind trading queens and I prefer to avoid an isolani. 8.Qxd5 [8.Nbd2 b5!?N
The point of this move is to immediately challenge the light-squared bishop in the fianchetto. 9.Bg2
Bb7 10.0-0 Be7=] 8...Nxd5 9.Bg2 Bc5 10.0-0 0-0 11.Nbd2 White is trying to get some play, but it
is far from easy. He eventually won in the following game due to playing better. Anand was young,
but already extremely dangerous. 11...Nc6 12.Nc4 b5 13.Nce5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Rd8 15.Nd3 Bb6=
And the central majority should enable Black to have objectively equal chances in the game Anand,
V (2715) – Lobron, E (2570) Munich 1994.
C) 6.Nb3 dxe4!?
Position after: 6...dxe4!?
This is my preference. Black has an extra pawn for some development challenges.
With careful play he should be able to develop and maintain the material. [6...Nf6 7.exd5 Qxd5
8.Qxd5 Nxd5 9.Bg2² This looks similar to 6.Nf3, but the knight is just better on b3, it does not
bother the bishop and he is looking for active squares on the queenside.] 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.N1d2 f5
9.f3! If you look at the database, you will see that Smirin faced this line with Black. He probably
thought it was promising for White as he played it later from White’s side. The position is very
logical because we are underdeveloped. 9...exf3 10.Nxf3 Schroeder, J (2539) – Smirin, I (2634)
Riga 2017, ½-½ (28). I would rather play: 10...Bd6!?.
341
Position after: 10...Bd6!?
This move prevents Bf4 and that allows the possibility of bringing the king to c7. 11.Bg2 Nc6
12.Be3 Nf6 13.0-0-0 Kc7„ White has obvious compensation, but we still have a pawn, and I am
not sure we have the more demanding position.
6...dxe4!
Position after: 6...dxe4!
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7.Bxe4
7.0-0 This is no better for White. 7...e5 8.Nb3 Qxd1 9.Rxd1 f5!
Position after: 9...f5!
White will not regain his pawn in this opening. 10.Nc3 Be6 11.Be3 Nf6!N The pawn centre is
impressive and it prevents White from having any kind of compensation. 12.Na5 b5 13.a4 b4 14.Na2
Nd5µ
7...e5! 8.Nb3 Qxd1+ 9.Kxd1 Nf6 10.Bg2
It seems clear that White’s opening is a failure.
10...Bg4+ 11.f3 Bf5 12.Re1 Nc6
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Black’s development is too easy! He won convincingly in Martinez, J (2251) – Granda Zuniga, J
(2621) Cali 2007.
13.Bd2 0-0-0 14.Kc1 Nd5µ
e) 5.g3 d5 6.e5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.g3!? d5!? 6.e5
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I deemed that this should be seen as the main line. It is not great, but it is the most played move after
6.Bg2. Advancing the pawn is a mistake and the position looks like a variation of the French Defence
which requires extra care.
6...Nc6
My preference. The attack on e5 gives White little choice.

6...Ne7!? This is another option for Black. 7.Bg2 Nbc6 8.Nxc6 Nxc6=
7.Nxc6
7.f4?! Bc5 8.Be3?? Qb6–+ This is the kind of lines that goes pretty badly for White.
7...bxc6 8.Bg2
8.Bd3 This is the computer’s move, but it is quite unlikely to happen. While it is not a novelty for a
human to play g3 and then not play Bg2 looks very awkward.
8...Qc7
Asking White to make a decision.
9.0-0!?
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Probably White’s best chance.
A) 9.Qe2?! The queen is not in the right place, and we will prove this point. 9...a5! 10.c4 Ba6
11.Nd2 Bb4 12.b3 Ne7 13.0-0 0-0µ White is clearly under pressure.
B) 9.f4?! This defends e5, but it is so weakening. 9...Nh6!N We want to bring the knight to f5 from
where it controls a lot of important dark squares. 10.0-0 Bc5+ 11.Kh1 Nf5 12.Nc3 h5!
There are many ways for Black to treat this position, but this is the one that gives White the least
possibilities. 13.Qf3 [13.a3? This is just to illustrate Black’s classical threat. 13...h4 14.g4 Ng3+
15.hxg3 hxg3+ 16.Bh3 Rxh3+ 17.Kg2 Rh8] 13...a5µ Black has full control of the board.
9...Qxe5
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If you cannot see why it is bad, it probably means you should take the pawn. Well, that’s the king of
advice that can lead you to short and painful defeats.
But that is not the case here, so just take it!
10.c4!?
White tries to open the centre so Black simply finishes his development.
10.Re1 Qc7 11.Bf4 Bd6 If you do not want to allow the following line, be aware that 11...Qd8 is also
fine. 12.Qg4! Kf8!
347
Position after: 12...Kf8!
It is not a big deal to play this move, the centre is stable. 13.Bxd6+ Qxd6 14.Nd2 h5 15.Qf3 Ne7³
10...Nf6! 11.Nc3
11.Bf4!?N The computer claims this is White’s best chance. We should keep taking pawns.
11...Qxb2 12.Nd2 Bd7 13.Nf3 Be7 14.Rb1 Qxa2
Position after: 14...Qxa2
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That seems too much, but sometimes strange things work. 15.Ne5 Rd8³ Black probably has the better
position.
11...Qc7! 12.Re1 Be7 13.Bf4 Qd8 14.Qa4 Bd7
That’s basically it, White cannot improve his position and we are ready to castle.
15.Rad1 0-0 16.Qc2 Re8µ
We are ready to bring our last forces into play, and I do not see any dangerous plan for White.
Dovliatov, S (2318) – Macieja, B (2584) Batumi 2002.
Chapter conclusion
As we saw in this chapter, there are a lot of possible transpositions into other variations. That is why
you must have a clear understanding of every variation, and you should be able to recognize
whenever a variation transposes into another one.
I think Black is fine with all the variations we met in here! And remember to open the centre when
you can do it with strength.
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Chapter 7
The Delayed Alapin Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3
Chapter Guide
Chapter 7 – The Delayed Alapin Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5

a) Sidelines & 5.Bc4
b) 5.d4 cxd4 6.Qxd4
c) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.a3
d) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Nc3
e) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.--
f) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Nc3
g) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe2 Bd7 10.--
h) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe2 Bd7 Nc3!
a) Sidelines & 5.Bc4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6
350
Now that we are done analysing the Open Kan we need to examine several sidelines. We will start
with one of the most important ones, the Alapin Sicilian. Here it is called the Delayed Alapin Sicilian,
but in general it will just transpose. Due to transpositional factors, we will only examine this move
order. I have chosen to provide you with a repertoire against the anti – Sicilians, only after 2.Nf3 e6.
If White does anything else than 2.Nf3, you do not need to play ...e6, while here it is already played,
and there are a few typical sidelines. If you want to specifically play a Kan Sicilian you must know
these lines, while against other and earlier sidelines, you can choose between a lot of different set ups.
In this chapter we will deal with the Alapin Sicilian, and you will probably need to add a few
variations to cover the lines with 2.c3 that would not feature Nf3 (it is extremely rare), or you can
choose to play a completely different line!
3.c3
3.d4 cxd4 4.c3
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The Morra-Gambit deserves a mention here. With this repertoire, it only has a low independent value
because it is easy for Black to transpose into the Alapin Variation. Because of this transposition some
players do not want to play the Morra-Gambit while playing an Alapin is less appealing to them.
A) 4...dxc3!? It is also very plausible to accept the Morra-Gambit while having played ...e6. 5.Nxc3
Nc6 6.Bc4 a6 This is actually one of the main systems for Black to face the Morra, but it looks like
more work for you.
B) 4...Nf6 5.e5 [5.Bd3
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If White really wants to play a Morra then he can play something like this, but he will have a poor
version 5...dxc3 6.Nxc3 d6³ The bishop should be placed on c4, it makes little sense on d3.] 5...Nd5
Reverts to the Alapin Variation.
3...Nf6
This has always been the classical way to meet the Alapin Variation. When White plays c3, he
intends d4, but he must find a good way to protect the pawn on e4 which is not so easy to do without
making some concessions.
3...d5 This is also a move you can investigate, but it will probably not transpose into the Alapin via
2.c3.
4.e5
4.Bd3 Some players have tried this approach to follow with Bc2 and d4, but we are fully capable of
reacting in the centre. 4...d5 5.e5 c4!?
Position after: 5...c4!?
A nice intermediate move. 6.Bc2 Nfd7 White is unable to get a pawn to d4, so Black should have a
nice position. 7.d4 [7.Ba4?! Nc6³] 7...cxd3 8.Bxd3 Nc6 9.Bf4 Be7„ You can find a few games with
this position, but it is not usual for Alapin players to play like this, so I will not go any deeper. I like
the position a lot already!
4...Nd5
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As we will see, one of the difficulties is to keep a clear head concerning the move orders and
transpositions that may occur in the variations.
5.Bc4
In general, this will come back to the main line, but there are a few alternatives.
5.d4 Will be covered in the next subchapters.
5...d6
We are not afraid of White taking on d5 as our d6 pawn will soon be exchanged thereby eliminating
the doubled pawn.
6.d4
A) 6.0-0 dxe5 7.Nxe5 Bd6 8.d4 0-0 A few high-level games have reached this position. And now
White players mainly went in two different directions.
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9.Nd2 [9.Re1 cxd4 10.cxd4 Nc6! White needs to take and we obtain an isolated pawn in exchange
for a stable knight on d5. Black’s position is easy to play. 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Nd2 Qb6 13.Ne4 Be7
14.b3 a5= The chances are balanced and Black eventually won in Schneider, V (2266) – Kislik, E
(2368) Budapest 2013.] 9...cxd4 10.cxd4
Position after: 10.cxd4
We have reached a middlegame with an isolani for White. The knight on d2 is headed to f3 or e4
355
soon. 10...Qc7 11.Re1 Nc6! This is clearly the most principled way to challenge White’s centre.
12.Nef3 Everyone came back here. It is logical in an isolani and to have chances for an attack White
avoids trading pieces. But it is really slow. [12.Ndf3N There are tactical problems with this move:
12...Nxe5! As we can see, the bishop on c4 is hanging. 13.dxe5 Qxc4 14.exd6 Rd8³] 12...Rd8
13.Ne4 Bb4! 14.Re2?! Nxd4 15.Qxd4
And here in the game Rozentalis, E (2588) – Rublevsky, S (2639) Panormo 2001, Black blundered,
he should have played: 15...Ne7! 16.Nf6+ gxf6 17.Qg4+ Ng6µ with a great position.
B) 6.exd6 Compared to 6.0-0 gives Black quick development. 6...Bxd6 7.0-0 0-0 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4
356
Position after: 9.Nxd4
And now, Black has two solutions and I recommend the safest one. [9.cxd4 b6³ White is clearly not
playing a good version of an isolani, he is not developed as well as he should be.] 9...Nc6
[9...Bxh2+ Black grabs a pawn, but White will get some activity. 10.Kxh2 Qc7+ 11.Kg1 Qxc4
12.b3 Qc7 13.c4 Ne7 14.Nb5©] 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Nd2 Bb7ƒ We are willing to play with ...Qc7 and
...c5 with good play with both bishops eyeing towards the white king.
6...cxd4
357
Position after: 6...cxd4
7.Bxd5
7.cxd4 This position will be covered in detail later, from another move order, this is one of the many
move orders that leads to this position. That’s one of the difficulties of the Alapin Variation from
Black’s perspective.
7...exd5 8.Qxd4
It looks optically good for White, but it is not working really well for him, and Black will keep the
bishop pair in an open position.
8...Nc6!
This is a strong temporary pawn sacrifice. White needs to take it, otherwise his positions make no
sense.
9.Qxd5 dxe5 10.Qxd8+ Kxd8µ
Position after: 10...Kxd8µ
This happened in many games, such as Sekandar, K (1922) – Van Kampen, R (2529) Hoogeveen
2011, the black king is going to c7, we have the centre and the bishop pair, this is simply much better.
b) 5.d4 cxd4 6.Qxd4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.d4
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Position after: 5.d4
In the Alapin with ...e6, it is rare that White never plays this move, and it is clearly the main
continuation.
5...cxd4
Here we take it as we do not want to allow ideas like c4 followed by d5.
6.Qxd4
This is a well-known sideline for White in the Alapin. White is trying to centralize his pieces, and to
prevent our logical development.
A) 6.cxd4 This is obviously the main line and will be covered in the next subchapters.
B) 6.Bc4 d6 This was already seen in 5.Bc4.
C) 6.Nxd4 Qc7 7.f4 a6 8.Bd3 d6³ White must trade the strength of his position and he will only
remain with weaknesses.
6...Nc6 7.Qe4
7.Qg4 Recently a few players tried this move, but it is clearly a sideline. 7...d6! 8.exd6 [8.Bb5 dxe5
9.Nxe5 Qc7 10.Nxc6 bxc6 It is clear that Black is solving his development problems. 11.Be2 e5³]
8...e5!
359
A nice intermediate move. We want to recapture with the bishop without dropping the g7 pawn.
9.Qe4 [9.Qg3 Qxd6 10.Na3 f6!
A safe defending move. 11.Bc4 Be6 12.0-0 Qd7! 13.Rd1 Qf7µ And we are close to finishing our
development.] 9...Nf6 10.Qc2 Bxd6³ Black has the centre and better development; it seems clear that
White’s opening is a failure.
360
7...f5!
An important move. White has forced Black to decide. Among the many games that reached this
position, two main ways to play have emerged.
8.Qe2
The main move. It blocks the bishop on f1, but the point is that opening the centre with ...d6 is
difficult, because White would simply take thereby creating a weak pawn on e6.
8.exf6 To my eyes this has to be a strategic mistake as it loses some time and abandons the centre.
8...Nxf6 9.Qh4
361
Position after: 9.Qh4
White has some pressure on the kingside in the short term, but Black has a strong centre in the long-
term. [9.Qc2 e5! 10.Bb5 Bc5 11.0-0 0-0µ With a very nice position for Black. 12.Bxc6?! bxc6
13.Nxe5 d5 14.Nd2 Bd6 15.Ndf3 Qc7 16.Re1 Ng4–+ White is always in deep trouble in such open
positions, the extra-pawn is irrelevant.] 9...e5! [9...d5 is played more often, but less accurate. 10.Bd3!
„ White has ideas of Bg6+.] 10.Be2 [10.Bd3? is a blunder 10...e4! 11.Bxe4 Qe7 12.Nbd2 d5–+]
10...d5 11.0-0 Be7µ With a great position and a good advantage for Black.
8...b5!
362
A strong reaction that Black recently discovered.
9.g3
9.Qxb5 This is a risky choice which few have dared to take. 9...Qc7 10.Qe2 a5 11.c4 Ba6µ White is
under pressure and still far from castling.
9...a5! 10.Bg2 Be7 11.0-0 Ba6ƒ
363
Position after: 11...Ba6ƒ
Black has a great position. Please see the game Demin, V (2430) – Bachmann, A (2599) Chess.com
INT 2020.
c) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.a3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6
We will begin addressing this important position with White’s sidelines and then 7.Bc4 will be
covered in the next subchapters.
7.a3
This is the third choice here. White prepares to place the bishop on d3.
7.Bd3 This line is here to illustrate why White wants to play with a3 when he wants to place the
bishop on d3. 7...dxe5 8.dxe5 Nb4! 9.Bb5+ Bd7=
7...Be7!?
7...Bd7 Is the main line here but I found no reason not to go for the same system as after 7.Bc4.
8.Bd3 Bc6 9.0-0 Nd7 And the line continues with a lot of different moves for White.
8.Bd3 b6 9.0-0 Nd7
364
Position after: 9...Nd7
White clearly wants to organize something on the kingside therefore you should take your time before
castling and develop the queenside first.
10.Re1
10.Qe2 Bb7 11.Rd1 Rc8 12.Bd2 Qc7
365
Black does not need to rush in castling. [12...0-0 13.Qe4 g6„] 13.Nc3 Nxc3 14.Bxc3 0-0= Now
castling is completely safe because Qe4 is prohibited.
10...Bb7 11.Nbd2
White wants to bring a knight to e4, so I prefer to prevent any ideas of exd6.
11...dxe5 12.dxe5 0-0 13.Ne4 Rc8
Position after: 13...Rc8
14.Bd2
14.h4 Qc7 15.Bd2 Qb8 16.Ng3 Rfd8!„ We need to be careful about White’s attack but this is fully
playable for Black as his position has no weaknesses.
14...Qc7 15.Rc1 Qb8„
Trading a pair of rooks helps White organizing his pieces as in Nisipeanu, L (2693) – Mamedyarov, S
(2757) Sofia 2007.
d) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Nc3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Nc3
366
This is the main alternative to 7.Bc4 and simply reinforces White’s centre.
7...Nxc3! 8.bxc3 Qc7!
First, we force White to decide about defending c3.
9.Bd2
9.Qb3 Nd7!
367
We want to challenge White’s centre. 10.Bf4 dxe5 11.Nxe5 [11.Bxe5 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 Bd6! 13.Bb5+
Kf8 14.0-0 g6ƒ The king is going to be safe on g7 and Black keeps the bishop pair.] 11...Bd6 12.Bb5
A) 12...0-0?! This leaves White with an interesting, forced variation. 13.Bxd7 Bxd7 14.Nxd7 Qxd7
15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.Qxb7 [16.0-0 b6³ Only Black can be better, the pawns on c3 and d4 are two
weaknesses.] 16...Qa3 17.0-0 Qxc3 18.d5=
B) 12...b6!?N
368
Position after: 12...b6!?N
With this precise move it looks like Black keeps winning chances. 13.0-0 0-0 14.Nxd7 Bxd7
15.Bxd6 Qxd6ƒ And, in comparison with 12...0-0, White cannot take on b7. So, it looks stronger for
Black.
9...Nd7
Here White has tried several moves. I guess he was not satisfied by taking on d6 which looks like the
natural move.
10.exd6?!
The main move but I really think it only helps Black. White should look for something else,
otherwise that means the variation with 7.Nc3 is dubious.
A) 10.Bd3 dxe5 11.0-0! At least this line is quite dangerous for Black. 11...Be7 12.Re1 exd4!? It is
also possible to let White take back on e5, but it would justify his move order. 13.cxd4 0-0 14.Rc1
Qd8
369
Position after: 14...Qd8
While the position is complicated White needs to prove he was right to sacrifice a pawn. 15.Re4 a6
16.Qe2 Nf6 17.Rh4 Bd7³ Flores, D (2358) – Karpov, A (2699) Buenos Aires 2000.
B) 10.Ng5 h6! 11.Qh5?!
Position after: 11.Qh5?!
This move threatens Nxe6, but it is simply refuted. [11.exd6 Bxd6 12.Ne4 0-0 13.Nxd6 Qxd6
14.Be2 b6 15.0-0 Bb7= White has the bishop pair, but he also has weak pawns in the centre.]
370
11...g6! 12.Nxe6 Qc6! An accurate move! 13.d5 [13.Qh3 Qe4+ 14.Kd1 fxe6 15.Qxe6+ Kd8–+
White has nothing to play for.; 13.Qg4 Nxe5! 14.dxe5 Bxe6µ] 13...Qb6 [13...Qa4!?N This appears
to be quite strong.] 14.Qg4 Nxe5 15.Bb5+?!
Position after: 15.Bb5+?!
Tempting, but not really strong. 15...Qxb5 16.Nc7+ Kd8 17.Qxc8+ Rxc8 18.Nxb5 a6 19.Nd4 Rc5µ
Things are clear now, Black was just better in Shkapenko, P (2424) – Rasulov, V (2478) Chess.com
INT 2020.
10...Bxd6 11.Bd3 b6!
371
The most accurate move so that Black may quickly place the bishop on b7.
11...0-0?! 12.Qe2 We do not want to allow this possibility for White. 12...b6 13.Qe4„
12.0-0 Bb7 13.Re1 0-0 14.h3 Bf4³
I will not go deeper into this line. Black is playing against weak hanging pawns, and he wants to trade
to attack these pawns more easily.
This line has a poor score for White and it has been known to be bad for him since the game Timman,
J (2635) – Piket, J (2670), The Hague 1995. We can mention that starting with 14...Rac8 or 14...Rfd8
is also good for Black.
e) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4
372
Position after: 7.Bc4
Clearly the main move. It does not really mean that the bishop wants to take on d5 (as we saw in
5.Bc4), but it might.
7...Be7 8.0-0 0-0
This is probably the main line in the Alapin Variation when Black plays with ...e6. There is clearly a
main move, which is 9.Qe2, but first let us look at the side lines 9.Re1 and 9.exd6 here, and then
9.Bd2 and 9.Nc3.
9.Re1
Here, I have chosen an interesting sideline, and you will see why in the variations.
9.exd6?! It may seem a bit harsh to mark this as dubious, but I think it only helps Black to develop. If
he plays precisely, he should not experience difficulties. 9...Qxd6 10.Nc3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 b6 12.Ne5
373
A) 12...Nc6 Has been played in a few games but White somehow justifies his last move with the
following variation. 13.Bf4! Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Qc6 15.Bb3 Bb7
Black seems to take over the initiative, but White defends g2 and attacks at the same time. 16.Qg4!
g6 17.Rfe1ƒ Black won in Jones, G (2709) – Swiercz, D (2667) Saint Louis 2019, but White seems
to have the most promising position.
374
Instead of this, Black has a novelty.
B) 12...Qc7!N 13.Bf4 Bd6! This is the point. White needs to be careful with his bishop on c4, but
also his knight on e5 which is pinned. 14.Bd3 [14.Bb3?? f6–+] 14...Nd7 15.Qh5
Position after: 15.Qh5
This looks like the only idea that can scare Black, but he can simply reply with 15...g6! 16.Qf3
[16.Nxg6?? This does not force perpetual. 16...hxg6 17.Bxg6 Nf6 18.Qh6 Bxf4–+; 16.Bxg6?? Does
not work either. 16...fxg6 17.Nxg6 Bxf4–+] 16...Bb7 17.Qg3 Nxe5 18.dxe5 Be7 19.h4 Rfd8„.
Black’s immediate threat is to take on c3. White has a possible attack, but the centre is fully open
and it should provide Black enough counterplay.
9...dxe5!?
9...b6 This leads to a solid but passive position. [9...Nc6 This leads back to other lines where Black
has played ...Nc6 earlier. Obviously, it is playable for Black, but I prefer something less usual.] 9...b6
10.Bxd5!
375
Position after: 10.Bxd5!
This is sometimes the problem of an early ...b6. White can take and block the a8-h1 diagonal. This
means putting our bishop on b7 would be pointless and now we have created a weakness by
playing...b6. 10...exd5 11.Nc3 Be6 12.Bf4ƒ Is always slightly unpleasant for Black.
10.dxe5 Na6!?
Position after: 10...Na6!?
376
I like this move and it has only been tried once. The knight heads toward c5 from which it will
control important squares such as e4 and d3, and it will not bother our light-squared bishop.
11.Nbd2
A) 11.Nd4 I am not sure why, but Stockfish likes this move, at least at first. 11...Bc5! 12.Nc3 Nb6!
This forces the matter as White has two hanging pieces. 13.Bxa6 bxa6 14.Be3 Nc4!ƒ We have an
ugly pawn structure, but we definitely have the initiative.
B) 11.Qe2 Nc5 12.Rd1
Position after: 12.Rd1
It makes sense for White to reorganize his pieces, and in particular this rook, which became
pointless on e1. 12...b6 13.Bxd5 exd5 14.Nc3 Bb7 15.Nd4 Qd7„ White seems stable right now, but
he is only trying to contain our play. If we manage to open the position, we will end up much better.
Right now, I would say that the position is balanced.
11...Nc5 12.Ne4 b6 13.Qe2
13.Nfg5 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 Bb7 15.Qg4 Kh8!=
13...Bb7 14.Nxc5 bxc5!
377
Position after: 14...bxc5!
The point of this move is seen after White’s next move.
15.Qe4 Nb6!
This square is available for the knight.
16.Qxb7 Nxc4 17.Qe4 Nb6=
We will have an amazing knight on d5 that compensates for our weaker pawn structure. I do not
believe that White has an attack here because 2 sets of minor pieces have been exchanged including
White’s light-squared bishop which supports attacks against our king.
f) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Nc3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0
378
9.Nc3
This is another interesting sideline for White. Once again, I have selected a lesser played option.
A) 9.Qe2 This will be analysed in the next subchapters.
B) 9.Bd2 This is one of the most played sidelines, but it does not look really scary. 9...dxe5 10.dxe5
[10.Nxe5? Nc6³ The bishop has no clear point on d2 in case of an isolani.] 10...b6 11.Qe2 Bb7
12.Nc3 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 Nd7
379
With a rather easy middlegame for Black. For example, 14.Rfd1 Qc7 15.Bd3 Rfd8 16.Rac1 Rac8³.
Black is completely fine. Huerga Leache, M (2436) – Aroshidze, L (2535), Figueres 2015. White
has no attacking ideas right now and the position is tense in the centre.
9...dxe5!?
The usual move is 9...Nxc3, but I find this try very promising.
10.Nxe5
10.dxe5?! Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qxd1 Of course we trade everything, we have a great endgame with no
weakness. 12.Rxd1 b6³
10...Nc6
We have reached a typical isolani position for White. But the knight is already on e5, and I am not
sure it is great there as White isn’t the one that wants to trade, because of the isolani. In the highest-
level games I saw, White just retreated the knight back to f3.
11.Nxc6
A) 11.Nxd5 This only leads to an equal position for White. 11...exd5 12.Bb3 Be6 13.Nxc6 bxc6
14.Bf4 Bf6 15.Rc1 Qb6„ Black will continue with ...a5, with some activity on the queenside.
380
B) 11.Nf3?! This position has occurred many times... with White to play! It can arise from many
openings (English, Semi – Tarrasch etc). With the extra tempo, it should be safe for Black. 11...Bf6!
The bishop is great here. It controls the centre, and it gives Black the possibility of playing ...Ncd7
which is a good manoeuvre in these positions. 12.Ne4 This occurred in Kovalenko, I (2639) –
Markowski, T (2558) Bialystok 2017. Black came back passively to e7 with the bishop, but he
should have continued developing with 12...b6!N.
And now for example: 13.Re1 Bb7 14.Nxf6+ Nxf6 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bh4 Ne7!³. White probably needs
to take on f6, but objectively he has nothing at all. Black will have great pieces once he manages
...Nf5, with many threats against White’s centre.
11...bxc6
381
Position after: 11...bxc6
White has reinforced our knight on d5. He has to play for the weakness of a few squares such as c5,
but we should be able to keep enough activity.
12.Qe2
12.Re1 Bb7 13.Ne4 Qb6 14.Qb3 Rfd8
Position after: 14...Rfd8
382
It is not easy to find an active plan for White. 15.Bg5 Bxg5 16.Nxg5 h6 17.Bxd5 Rxd5 18.Qxb6 axb6
19.Nf3 g5³ Abdulov, O (2414) – Demchenko, A (2664) Konya 2018.
12...Bb7 13.Rd1
And ½ – ½ (47) Pourramezanali, A (2510) – Idani, P (2576) Teheran 2017, Black could have reacted
immediately.
13...c5! 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.dxc5 Bxc5 16.Bd3 Rc8ƒ
Position after: 16...Rc8ƒ
I doubt White has any hope of being better. Of course, we have an isolated pawn that may be weak,
but there is more than enough activity to compensate for it.
g) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe2 Bd7 10.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe2
383
This is a very logical approach, and it has to be the main line for a reason. The queen leaves the d1-
square for the rook, may go to e4 attacking h7 and transfer to the kingside.
9...Bd7!?
A sideline that quickly got my attention. It has similar ideas with 9...b5 but it looks less
compromising.
9...b6 This is the main line, but there is a possibility for White that looks annoying. 10.Rd1! Bb7
11.Bxd5!
384
11...Bxd5 [11...exd5 12.Nc3 Na6 13.Bf4²] 12.Nc3 And White takes over the initiative. We have to
leave, and White has gained several tempi along with the possibility of playing d4-d5. 12...Bb7
[12...Bxf3?! 13.Qxf3 d5 14.Qg4‚ White has an interesting attack coming with Rd3, Bh6 while it is
hard for Black to switch to defence.] 13.d5ƒ White stands better according to Stockfish and available
games.
10.Nbd2
A pure attacking move. White does not want to trade the knights preferring instead to move it to e4.
A) 10.Nc3 This must be seen as the main move, and it deserves a full subchapter.
B) 10.Rd1 First of all, let us see that there is a major difference with 9...b6 if White tries the same
line that was annoying. 10...Bc6 11.Bxd5 Bxd5 12.Nc3
385
12...dxe5! 13.dxe5 Bxf3! 14.Qxf3 With the pawn on b6 the a8 rook would be attacked and Black
could basically resign. But here there is no problem after 14...Qb6!=.
C) 10.Bxd5 A few strong players (such as Aronian) have tried this move but in the end, it looks fine
for Black. 10...exd5 11.Nc3 Be6 12.Bf4 Nc6 13.Rfd1 Re8!?
Position after: 13...Re8!?
Black continues to improve his pieces. While Black is under slight pressure, he has the bishop pair
386
and looks quite safe. 14.h3 h6 15.Nb5 Bf5! Black activates the bishop and actively defends the d6-
pawn thanks to the rook on e8. 16.Qf1?! dxe5 17.dxe5 And now, in Aronian, L (2781) – Dominguez
Perez, L (2758) chess24.com INT 2021, Black could have disorganized White’s pieces after:
17...Bc2! 18.Rd2 Be4 19.Qe2 Bb4 20.Rdd1 Qb6³ and we have totally managed to activate our
pieces.
10...Bc6
11.Ne4 dxe5 12.dxe5
12.Nxe5?! Nb6!³ The pawn on d4 is not protected, and that leads to trouble for White.
12...Nd7
Black looks too stable to suffer from an attack. For example, White has tried a couple of moves.
13.Rd1
13.Re1 Rc8 14.Bb3
387
Kislinsky, A (2452) – Tabatabaei, M (2629) chess.com INT 2020. 14...Qc7! 15.Ng3 Rfd8µ Black
will follow with ...Nf8 with a safe and active position.
13...Qc7 14.Bg5?
This does not work for White. He is trying to get access to dark squares such as d6, or to weaken our
kingside, but the centre is not stabilized.
14.Bxd5!
388
White must get rid of the knight but now he will stand worse. 14...Bxd5 15.Bf4 Rfd8 16.Rac1 Qb6³
The bishop on d6 is just a monster.
14...Nxe5!?
Position after: 14...Nxe5!?
14...Bxg5 was also good.
15.Nxe5 Qxe5 16.Bxe7 Nxe7–+
Black was a solid pawn up in in Khamrakulov, I (2444) – Garcia Cuenca, V (2344) Madrid 2019.
h) 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe2 Bd7 Nc3!
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe2 Bd7!?
10.Nc3!
389
Position after: 10.Nc3!
Clearly the main attempt, our knight is challenged, and we need to take immediately.
10...Nxc3 11.bxc3 Bc6
White has tried two ideas here.
12.Bf4
12.exd6!? This was less played, but it looks more dangerous. 12...Bxd6 13.Ne5 Qc7! 14.f4
390
This is the most natural approach for White when he wants to stabilize a knight on e5.
Also, we should be careful that the pawn does not try to go any further because it would open every
line to the f7-pawn for White. 14...b5!?N [14...Nd7 This was played in Rublevsky, S (2692) –
Movsesian, S (2660) Cheliabinsk 2016, 0-1 (33). Although Black won White could have continued
with 15.Bd3!N 15...Rac8 16.c4ƒ] 15.Bd3 [15.Bb3 Nd7 16.Bd2 Nf6„; 15.Bxb5 This only helps
Black obtain counterplay. 15...Bxb5 16.Qxb5 Qxc3 17.Bb2 Qb4=] 15...Bd5!
Position after: 15...Bd5!
Black improves the position of his bishop, and he plans to follow with 16...Nc6. 16.Bxb5 [16.f5
Bxe5! This seems to solve Black’s problems. 17.dxe5 exf5 18.Rxf5 Nc6 19.Bxb5 Be6 20.Rf2
Nxe5=] 16...Bxe5! 17.fxe5 [17.dxe5 a6 18.Bd3 Qxc3 19.Be3 Nc6= Black has a solid position.]
17...Qxc3 18.Be3 a6 19.Rac1 Qxc1! A very nice conception. 20.Rxc1 axb5©
391
Position after: 20...axb5©
You can convince yourself by looking at the position independently or with a computer, but the
engine does not prefer White. We are about to invade the second rank via a2 while the bishop on d5
dominates the position. It is difficult for White to do anything with the dark-square bishop. In case of
an attack by White on the dark squares with the queen and the bishop, ...Nc6-e7-f5 will probably be
the way to proceed with Black.
12...Qc7!?
392
Position after: 12...Qc7!?
Let us develop and put more pressure on e5, c4 and c3 with the queen. White has tried 3 different
moves.
12...Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nc6„ This is another playable line. White eventually won in Sermek, D (2547) –
Polajzer, D (2382) Celje 2004.
13.Ng5!?
With this move White is trying to organize tactical ideas against e6. We have no choice but to take
the knight.
A) 13.Bd3 Nd7 14.Rfe1 Bxf3!N
Position after: 14...Bxf3!N
This move solves Black’s problems, and it will define the centre. 15.Qxf3 dxe5 16.dxe5 Rfd8
17.Rab1 Nc5 18.Bc2 Rd5ƒ Black centralizes his rooks, and he has a strong knight on c5.
B) 13.exd6 Bxd6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Ne5 Nd7 16.f4 Rac8 17.Bb3
393
After a few natural moves we have reached this position. 17...b5!? We have seen similar ideas in
12...exd6. One of the main points of the move is to prevent anything with c4 by White so that the
pawn is stuck on c3. 18.Rad1 And now in Strikovic, A (2550) – Nedobora, M (2465) La Coruna
1996, I would go for the preventive 18...g6! which stops f5 ideas by White. That means he needs to
find a way to get rid of the e6-pawn. 19.Nxc6 Qxc6 20.d5 exd5 21.Rxd5 Nc5³ White does not have
enough for an attack. The pawn on c3 is a clear target and the pawn on f4 is more of a weakness
than a threat.
13...Bxg5! 14.Bxg5 dxe5 15.dxe5
394
Position after: 15.dxe5
This occurred in the game Kun, G (2354) – Horvath, C (2210) Hungary 2004. It’s true that White has
the bishop pair in an open position, but we have the better pawn structure.
15...Nd7 16.Be7
16.Rfe1 Rfc8 17.Bb3 h6 18.Bd2 Rd8 19.Rad1 Rac8= We are totally in control along with having a
better pawn structure.
16...Rfc8 17.Bd6 Bf3!
Black trades the bishops and frees himself.
18.Qxf3 Qxc4 19.Qxb7 Nb6ƒ
395
Position after: 19...Nb6ƒ
White is temporarily a pawn up but his c3 pawn is in danger while we will have a strong knight on
d5. The bishop on d6 looks strong, but it is not so impressive, and it is unable to go back to the
kingside if needed.
Chapter Conclusion
As we saw in this chapter, you should not ignore the Alapin Variation. White often gets attacking
chances against your kingside and it requires a lot of attention and precise play by Black.
But in the end, I think I have managed to provide you with more than enough ideas to have interesting
and sometimes new positions to fight for a win!
396
Chapter 8
Various 3rd moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.--
Chapter Guide
Chapter 8 – Various 3rd moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6
a) 3.Bd3 & 3.Be2
b) 3.b4 & 3.a3
c) 3.Qe2
d) 3.g3
e) 3.d3
f) 3.b3 a6 4.Bb2 Nc6 5.--
g) 3.b3 a6 4.Bb2 Nc6 5.c4
h) 3.d4 Nc6 4.d4
i) 3.c4 Nc6 4.Nc3 e5 5.d3 d6 6.--
j) 3.c4 Nc6 4.Nc3 e5 3.d3 d6 6.Be2
k) 3.Nc3
a) 3.Bd3 & 3.Be2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6
397
As I explained in the previous chapter about the Delayed Alapin Variation, when I was doing this
repertoire for Black about the Sicilian Kan, I was thinking I could not let you go without talking
about the anti – Sicilians. If you want to play the Sicilian Kan, that means that after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3,
you have no choice but to play 2...e6. White has a lot of options apart from playing 3.d4 and in this
subchapter we will deal with many of these options. I could have left you on your own, but it is quite
rare to find material about this in other books which often discuss lines other than 2...e6 (like 2...Nc6
or 2...d6). The sidelines after 2...e6 are really specific. We will try to keep in mind that any moment
White wants to play d4, it probably transposes into the Kan, so we need to be careful with our move
orders. Also, we will not deal with the sidelines on the second move, as you do not necessarily need
to play with ...e6, and you can find a lot of material elsewhere. As no book can be exhaustive, I will
try to guide you through the variations while giving you some interesting ideas. In the first two
subchapters we will deal with variations that you might never meet in your entire life (some of them
are more likely to be played one move earlier such as the Wing Gambit), but there are also sidelines
you need to know.
3.Be2
In the same spirit as 3.Bd3, this move has its own follower. Even if it does not look ambitious, it
cannot be a really bad move. Keep in mind that White may still want to come back to an open Sicilian
with a later d4.
3.Bd3 A few players recently tried this weird move. The idea is to castle on the next move and then
choose a plan between c3-Bc2-d4, or Bb5-d4 if Black has played ...d5 at some point. Top
Grandmaster Sasha Grischuk has played this line a few times in rapid games. 3...Nc6 4.0-0
398
A) 4...d5 5.exd5 exd5 6.Bb5 This is basically what White is looking for. 6...Nf6 7.d4² And Black
will have to play with an isolani, which might not be to everyone’s taste. Grischuk, A (2777) –
Jobava, B (2603) chess.com INT 2020, 1-0, (31).
B) 4...g5!
A really interesting line which has only been played once but is my computer’s choice! This idea
often works when White is unable to immediately react in the centre. If you want a fun game, you
can go for it! The one game continued: 5.c3 g4 6.Ne1 h5 7.Bb5 Bg7 8.d3 Nge7„. In the long-term
Black probably wants to castle on the queenside but it all depends upon what White does. Black
won in Paravyan, D (2528) – Grachev, B (2628) Moscow 2016, 0-1 (34).
3...Nc6!?
3...a6 Would be the way to play in the style of the Kan but there is a problem: 4.c4!?, and we can’t
proceed with ...b5.
I am not fond of this line for Black as it is going to be better for White than 3.c4 as we will see in a
later subchapter.
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Position after: 4.c4!?
The reason is the odd placement of the pawn on a6 which does not do much when White plays c4. If
White plays d4 later, we will not have a transposition into the second chapter as we probably will not
be able to play ... Bb4 pinning the knight on c3.
4.0-0
A) 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Sometimes, you cannot reach positions fully in accordance with your
repertoire. Nevertheless, it is very close to it. 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4
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This is a transposition into 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be2 Bb4. This
line with 6.Be2 (6.Nxc6 or 6.Ndb5 are the main lines) does not have a great reputation for White.
Remember we already discussed this type of position in another chapter. In addition, with White
first playing 3.Be2 it is doubtful he will transpose into an open Sicilian.
B) 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.0-0 d5!?
If you do not do this, White can push 6.d4 with an open Sicilian. 6.exd5 Nxd5 7.d4 Nxc3 8.bxc3
Be7„ White will have the initiative in the centre but we have the better structure. It does not look
hard to play as in Cornette, D (2365) – Cmilyte, V (2525) Germany 2015.
4...Nf6 5.d3
5.e5?! [5.Nc3 See 4.Nc3.] 5...Ng4 6.d4 cxd4 7.Bf4 d6³ White is not even sure he will regain his
pawn.
5...d5!
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Once White has played with d3, we can react in the centre with less fear that d4 will happen later
leading to an isolani.
6.exd5 exd5 7.d4
Sometimes, the same position occurs with White to move, and it is already decent for Black. So, we
must be totally fine here.
7...cxd4!? 8.Nxd4 Bd6ƒ
Of course! If you hate playing with an isolani you have to find yourself another path but objectively it
is a very good line for Black.
b) 3.b4 & 3.a3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.a3!?
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I find this move quite interesting as it contains different ideas. First of all, White can push b4 later
(more or less the Wing Gambit deferred), or it could transpose into open Sicilians with a3 already
played which is not necessarily a bad idea. However, I think the first idea is more likely to happen.
3.b4 This line also exists, and it is more likely to happen on move 2, after 1.e4 c5 2.b4. This is known
as the Wing Gambit. Here things are similar but slightly different. 3...cxb4! Do not be fooled and just
take it.
A) 4.a3 b6!? I like this approach; Black will immediately challenge White’s centre. 5.d4 [5.axb4
Bb7 6.e5 Bxb4³] 5...Nf6 6.e5 Nd5 7.axb4 Bxb4+ 8.Bd2
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And now in the game Bernadskiy, V (2593) – Moiseenko, A (2623) Lutsk 2019, my advice is to go
with: 8...Bb7 9.c3 Be7 10.c4 Nb4 11.Be2 d5!µ. There is no rush to castle, we can immediately react
in the centre.
B) 4.d4 b6!? There are lots of ways to play for Black, while many are fine, I like this one in the
same spirit as after 4.a3. 5.Bd3 Bb7 6.0-0 Nf6 7.Qe2 Be7 8.a3.
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Eventually, White will play this move. He needs to open the a-file and try to trade the dark-squared
bishop. If he does so, then he will have ideas like e5 and bringing a knight to d6. 8...Nc6 9.e5 Nd5
10.axb4 Ndxb4³ Black lost this game, but it is more than fine for him in Bernadskiy, V (2629) –
Moiseenko, A (2620) Chess.com INT 2020. Of course, you will mostly find blitz games with this
variation.
3...Nc6
The move 3...a6 is also possible if you wish to stick to Kan types of positions.
4.b4
A) 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nc3
This transposes into 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.a3 which is a main line
here (as we discussed in a similar variation of 3.Be2). It is a good idea to study this variation as
well, but it would be a surprise if it happened with this move order.
B) 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.d4 d5!? Now we also have this other possibility. [5...cxd4 6.Nxd4 See 4.d4.] 6.exd5
Nxd5„
4...d5!?
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Now that White has already played a3 (which is quite useless), I prefer not to take on b4 as opposed
to the variation after 3.b4. Here we have immediate counterplay in the centre. This position occurred
only once.
4...cxb4!? of course this is the main move, and you can have a look at it too.
5.exd5
5.b5 Nd4 6.Nxd4 cxd4
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Position after: 6...cxd4
White has no good way to deal with our centre. If he takes, we have a great position, if he pushes it is
even worse because he will probably lose something. 7.exd5 [7.e5? Qg5 8.Qe2 f6–+ Here White is
not losing anything, but you can look at his development.] 7...Qxd5 8.Bb2 Bc5³
5...exd5 6.Bb5
And now in the game Vasiukov, E (2396) – Rintakoski, P (1811) Novi Sad 2017, I think Black can
simply reinforce his centre.
6...Nf6! 7.0-0 Be6 8.Re1 Be7³
And Black has a position that is easy to play as he is better developed, and he already has good
control over the centre.
c) 3.Qe2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6
Now that we have looked at the minor sidelines, let us move on to other ideas.
3.Qe2
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In the coming subchapters, we will see moves that have some similar ideas to this (often connected
with a kingside fianchetto, and what is called a “King’s Indian Attack”. This one with 3.Qe2 is the
most committing for White. In the next one, we will look at 3.g3 while 3.d3 will be treated in the one
after. These 3 subchapters may sometimes transpose into each other, but each of the 3 moves does not
necessarily imply the same things. As I said, this is the most committal move. White will never be
able to play d4, and he will clearly go for a fianchetto, otherwise he cannot develop his bishop on f1.
3...Nc6
We are not afraid of any transposition into the open Sicilian so we can easily develop the knight.
4.g3
This should really be seen as the main line here. The queen on e2 is here to make ...d5 less easy for
Black while White develops his King’s Indian Attack.
A) 4.b3 This move is not so usual when connected with 3.Qe2. Here we can have a quick look at
4...d6 5.Bb2 e5!?.
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I like this approach. As in some lines where White has already played c4 (that we will discuss later),
it is hard for White to react with d4. We quietly block the centre and in the end it will be easier to
push ...f5 (the only breakthrough in the position), as shown in the following game. 6.g3 g6 7.Bg2
Bg7 8.0-0 Nge7 9.d3 0-0 10.Nbd2 h6 Here, 10...f5 was playable, but Meier wants to improve his
position first. 11.a3 Be6³ And Black has great control over the position in Salgado Lopez, I (2622) –
Meier, G (2632) Dubai 2014.
B) 4.c3 A kind of weird Alapin Variation. Black probably has a lot of options but after the direct
4...d5 5.exd5 Qxd5 it is hard to say how White justifies his queen on e2 while ours if fine on d5 as
Nc3 is not playable.
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Position after: 5...Qxd5
6.g3 e5! Let us take possession of the centre and develop the pieces on the most active squares.
7.Bg2 Bg4ƒ
4...g6
Position after: 4...g6
This is the main line. It is less easy to play after 3.g3 because White keeps the options of d4 opening
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the centre, but here, there is no drawback for Black.
4...d6 This is also an interesting approach. 5.Bg2 e5 6.0-0 g6 7.c3 Bg7„ This leads to a very
positional type of middlegame where I believe Black’s plan is easier due to the possibility of playing
...f5 at some point.
5.Bg2
5.h4 A modern approach, but it will not go far for White. 5...h6! We prevent any ideas White may
have on the kingside. If White goes for h5 at any moment, we will push ...g5 and the pawn on h5 will
be a weakness and a possible target. 6.Bg2 Bg7 7.0-0 Nge7 8.d3 d6 9.c3 e5³
Position after: 9...e5³
It seems quite clear that the inclusion of the moves h4/...h6 only helped Black who can now bring the
bishop to g4 without fearing h3, or to e6 not fearing Ng5 ideas. Black has had great results here. An
example is Naiditsch A (2701) – Rublevsky, S (2663) Germany 2018.
5...Bg7 6.0-0 Nge7
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Position after: 6...Nge7
I like this set up for Black as it is solid and dynamic at the same time, with several possible plans.
7.c3 0-0 8.d3 d6
I think this is the main position of this system. Here White has tried a lot of moves. We will not
consider all of them, but we can look at a few.
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9.Na3
A) 9.Be3 e5! 10.Na3 h6 11.Nh4?! And now in the game, Kotepalli, S (2214) – Mihok, O (2497)
Chess.com INT 2017, Black has a powerful option. 11...g5! 12.Nf3 f5 13.exf5 Bxf5µ With a big
initiative for Black.
B) 9.a3 This is another usual idea, as White may want to play b4 at some point in the middlegame.
We can start by reinforcing our position while finishing our development. 9...b6!? And now White
has tried a couple of ideas connected with the move d3-d4.
B1) 10.Nbd2 Bb7 11.Rd1 Qd7 12.Nf1 White has been really slow, so let us take control at once.
Sanduleac, V (2466) – Jianu, V (2522) Eforie Nord 2008. 12...f5!ƒ Black takes over the initiative
and indirectly prevents d4 due to the pressure on e4.
B2) 10.Rd1 Ba6!?
Position after: 10...Ba6!?
An effective way to prevent d4, even if it gives White a new possibility. 11.b4! Qc7 [11...cxb4?
This is clearly a bad idea. In general, you should never take a pawn on b4 like this, it is unnatural
to help White obtain the better, more centralized pawn structure. 12.axb4 Nxb4 13.cxb4 Bxa1
14.Qa2+–] 12.Bb2 And now in the game Littlewood, J (2308) – Cech, P (2403) West Bromwich
2004, let us go for the central break 12...d5! 13.exd5 exd5 14.c4! Nd4. A necessary move due to
the White’s many threats. 15.Nxd4 cxd4= Black has an active position, and some play coming on
the e-file.
9...e5
This move will ease our development, and with 9.Na3, White has shown that he does not want to play
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b4 in the short term, so we will not regret closing the long dark diagonal.
10.Nc4
10.Nh4 White is not the one with the better prospects on the kingside, and it already takes him more
time to push his f-pawn. 10...Be6 11.f4 Qd7 12.Nc4 exf4
Position after: 12...exf4
13.Bxf4 [13.gxf4 Every King’s Indian player knows he should take back with the pawn, but here the
position is not stabilized at all. 13...d5! 14.Nd2 Rad8 15.e5 f6µ And the initiative is in Black’s
hands.] 13...d5 14.Nd2 d4µ Roy Chowdhury, S (2414) – Saric, A (2528) Seville 2012
10...h6
Black concentrates on the kingside by preparing ...Be6 because he does not want to be bothered with
Ng5-ideas.
10...b5!? This is another interesting option for Black.
11.a4 Be6 12.Bd2 f5³
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Position after: 12...f5³
Black enjoys the better position. He intends to continue with 13...Qd7 and some play on the kingside.
But he may change his plans if White is careless.
13.b4?! cxb4 14.cxb4?? fxe4 15.dxe4 Rxf3! 16.Bxf3 Nd4 17.Qd3 Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3 Bxc4–+
With a totally winning position as in Rodriguez Vila, A (2521) – Mareco, S (2526) Campinas 2010.
d) 3.g3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3
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When I think about specific sidelines to play against Sicilians with 2...e6, I immediately think about
this one with 3.g3, and the one with 3.b3 that we will consider later. This is an important subchapter
as Wite has some similar ideas with the previous and the next subchapter as he generally wants to
start a King’s Indian Attack. Here I will discuss 3 variations for Black and try to explain the
advantages and drawbacks of each.
3...d5!?
I am looking for something specific that takes White away from his usual plans. This idea will often
reach positions with an isolani for Black, so we need to be comfortable with this fact.
A) 3...a6?! I am clearly not fond of this idea although it is in the spirit of the Sicilian Kan spirit. But
I eventually think that it is quite pointless to play ...b5 so early when White has not yet played Nc3.
4.Bg2 b5 5.d4
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There are other possibilities for White, but this one is a theoretical problem for us. 5...cxd4 6.Nxd4²
In Chapter 6 with 5.g3 we discussed this position and explained why we should not enter this line.
B) 3...Nc6 This is clearly the mainstream continuation. But there are a few practical problems
concerning our repertoire.
B1) 4.d4!? Trying to enter a variation which is not a Kan Sicilian. We can exchange as White has
committed himself with g3, but we can also try an independent line: 4...cxd4 5.Nxd4 d5!? But it
seems that White is able to keep the better position. For example: 6.Bg2 dxe4 7.Nxc6 Qxd1+
8.Kxd1 bxc6 9.Bxe4². The fact that White is unable to castle is irrelevant, the main thing here is
that White has the better pawn structure.
B2) 4.Bg2
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Unfortunately, we cannot play as we did against 3.Qe2 with ...g6 or ...Nge7, now both moves are
dubious. 4...Nf6 [4...g6 5.d4!± With many pawns on the light squares, Black is going to suffer on
the dark squares. 4...Nge7 5.0-0 g6 6.d4! cxd4 7.Nxd4± Again, this is clearly not the type of open
Sicilian you want to reach.] 5.d3 d5 6.Nbd2
Position after: 6.Nbd2
Another option for White is 6.Qe2. And in both cases, we have reached a position that often comes
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from the French Defence with 2.d3. In general White will close the centre by means of e5, and then
attack on the kingside, while Black generally counter attacks on the queenside. But I do not want
to let White follow his usual attacking plan which White players generally know well. But if you
want to, you can play this line, and 3.Qe2, 3.g3 and often 3.d3 will come back to this type of
position.
4.exd5
A) 4.d3?! Black has different ways to reply but the simplest is 4...dxe4 5.dxe4 Qxd1+ 6.Kxd1
Nc6=. And there is no objective reason for Black to be worse.
B) 4.e5?!
Position after: 4.e5?!
4...Nc6 5.Bg2 This looks a lot like a good French Defence for Black. 5...g5! I like this for Black, but
5...f6 or 5...Qc7 are also pretty decent continuations. 6.h3 Bg7 7.d4 Nxd4! 8.Nxd4 cxd4 9.Qxd4
Ne7!N
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Position after: 9...Ne7!N
This leads to a forcing line where Black is fine in the end. 10.Bxg5 Nf5 11.Qa4+ Bd7 12.Bxd8
Bxa4 13.Bf6 Bxf6 14.exf6 Bxc2³
4...exd5 5.d4
This is how I would play as White to ensure getting an isolani.

5.Bg2?! This has been played many times, but it seems slightly inaccurate because of 5...Qe7+! And
White has an unpleasant choice.
A) 6.Qe2 Qxe2+ 7.Kxe2 Nc6 8.Re1 h6!? A nice way to quietly finish development. Black wants to
play ...Be6, but he also wants to prevent Ng5. Play may continue with 9.Kf1+ Be6 10.Nc3 Nf6
11.d4 0-0-0=. All this occurred in the game Praggnanandhaa, R (2608) – Pridorozhni, A (2590)
Chess.com INT 2020.
B) 6.Kf1
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Position after: 6.Kf1
This is probably the most ambitious as it keeps the queens on the board and tries to say that the
queen on e7 is poorly placed as it blocks the bishop. 6...Nc6 7.d4 Nf6 8.c3?! This is objectively not
a great move; White’s development will be too slow. [8.Nc3 Be6 9.Kg1 Qd7 10.Be3 cxd4 11.Nxd4
Bb4= In the end, Black has enough play with the isolani due to the king still on g1.] 8...Qc7 9.Bg5
Ne4 10.Be3
421
All this occurred in Gomez Garrido, C (2479) – Smirin, I (2612) Chess.com INT 2020, and now, I
prefer: 10...Be7!?N 11.Nbd2 0-0ƒ
5...cxd4!?
An interesting line that has only rarely been tried.

5...Nc6 The main move, but if you plan to take later on d4, then this is less accurate. 6.Bg2
A) 6...cxd4 7.0-0!²N White has time to castle before taking back. [7.Nxd4 Bc5 This goes back to
the main line.]
B) 6...Nf6 7.0-0 Be7 8.dxc5!² In general, White also keeps a slight edge in these lines.
C) 6...Bg4 7.0-0 cxd4 [7...Nxd4?!
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Position after: 7...Nxd4?!
This is a dubious continuation: 8.Qe1+!² And it places Black in hot water.] 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nf6
10.Bg5² White will eventually get the d5-pawn back and keep slight pressure with almost no losing
chances. However, it is very holdable for Black.
6.Nxd4
Position after: 6.Nxd4
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6.Bg2?!N Delaying Nxd4 is not great as Black replies with 6...Bb4+! 7.Bd2 Qe7+ 8.Qe2 Bc5³. I am
not certain that White will get his pawn back soon or under good circumstances.
6...Nc6 7.Bg2 Bc5!
Black forces White to take a decision.
8.Nb3
A) 8.Be3?! This has been tried twice, but it is probably a mistake. 8...Nxd4! 9.Bxd4 Qe7+ 10.Kf1
Nf6 11.Nc3 0-0³ It is not horrible for White to have the king on f1, the position is quite stable, but
nevertheless White is just fighting for equality.
B) 8.Nxc6 bxc6
We now have a hanging pawn structure instead of a isolani. 9.0-0 Nf6 10.Re1+ Be6= The position
also seems completely fine. With have easy development and potentially counterplay against f2.
8...Qe7+! 9.Qe2 Bb6!N
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Position after: 9...Bb6!N
This is the most active square for the bishop. I like this novelty more than 9...Be6 which has been
played most of the time. We want to keep the bishop pair, and we do not need to protect the d5-pawn.
10.Be3!?
10.Bxd5? This may be the reason no one has played 9...Bb6. 10...Qxe2+ 11.Kxe2 Nb4! 12.Be4 Nf6
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It is clear that Black is having great compensation for the pawn. 13.Bd3 0-0 14.Be3 Bg4+ 15.Kd2
Rad8 16.Bxb6 axb6 17.Nc3 Bf5µ Black can enjoy his position.
10...Bxe3 11.Qxe3 Qxe3+ 12.fxe3 Be6 13.Nc3 Nf6 14.0-0-0 0-0-0=
Position after: 14...0-0-0=
I really think Black must be fine here as he has good chances against e3 which compensates for the
isolated pawn on d5. My overall conclusion about this line is that it is definitely interesting, but Black
has to come up with the right ideas if he does not want to end up in a slightly worse and a bit boring
position.
e) 3.d3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d3
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To continue with the same idea as in the previous subchapters, I would like to try a new idea for my
Black that has rarely been seen in practice. And I have another idea to discuss that you may or may
not like.
3...b5!?
Black anticipates that White is willing to play g3 and he immediately places a bishop on that
diagonal. Also, he does not need to play ...a6 first as that can be a loss of time in many cases. In my
research almost all games continued with 4.g3.
A) 3...d5 Slightly in the same spirit as against 3.g3, but this time White has two ways to hold the
centre and continue later with a kingside fianchetto. 4.Nbd2 We can mention that 4.Qe2 is also
popular nowadays. 4...Nc6 5.g3
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5...Nf6 [5...g6 6.Bg2 Bg7 7.0-0 Nge7 This is an interesting system for Black, but White also has his
King’s Indian Attack.] 6.Bg2 Be7 7.0-0 0-0 This position also arises from the French Defence with
2.d3.
B) 3...Nc6 4.g3 Nge7 5.Bg2 g6 6.0-0 Bg7 7.c3 0-0„
Position after: 7...0-0„
This is quite similar to the lines we saw in 3.Qe2, but White did not have to play with Qe2. Even if
428
you can consider it as a detail, and that Black has a fully playable position, it makes some
differences such as the possibility of immediately playing 8.d4.
C) 3...d6 Last, this move-order with a similar idea to my choice does not work well here. 4.g3 b5?
5.d4!
Position after: 5.d4!
And now this move is strong because the threat is to take on b5 with an important check! 5...cxd4
6.Bxb5+ Bd7 7.Nxd4±
4.g3
As said before, this is the main continuation. The next moves are quite logical.
A) 4.a4 b4 5.c3!?N
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Position after: 5.c3!?N
Already a novelty and the most challenging response.

5...Nf6 This move prevents White’s idea of playing d4 soon. 6.cxb4 cxb4 7.Nbd2 Nc6 8.Be2 Be7
9.0-0 0-0 10.Nb3 a5„ White has more space in the centre, but it is probably a minimal advantage.
B) 4.d4 A very principle move that has only been played once. But something is not working for
White. 4...cxd4! 5.Nxd4 [5.Bxb5?? Unfortunately, this is impossible. 5...Qa5+–+] 5...a6„
Position after: 5...a6„
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We have reached a normal Kan position but with b5 already played. Some players may argue that
you do not necessarily want to have played this move this early when White has not played Nc3
because there might some ideas with a4 for White, but I objectively doubt it can be a problem and
that any White player will not want to enter this position seemingly down a tempo since when they
played 3.d3 they indicated that they did not want to play an open Sicilian.
4...Bb7 5.Bg2 d6 6.0-0 Nf6
White has tried a lot of different moves so we will review the best of them.
7.a4
This is the most played move here, or it can be played at many other moments. The idea is to fix the
queenside and obtain the c4 square for a knight.
A) 7.e5 This cannot be a problem for Black. 7...dxe5 8.Nxe5 Bxg2 9.Kxg2 Nbd7 10.Nxd7 Qxd7=
Mikhalevski, V (2434) – Chadaev, N (2559) Chess.com INT 2015.
B) 7.Nbd2 Be7 8.c3 0-0 9.Re1
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Position after: 9.Re1
White is preparing the move d4 to take possession of the centre. 9...Nbd7 10.d4 Qc7 The key is to
not do anything in the centre. White manages to advance but then he is a bit stuck with the defence
of his central pawns. 11.Qe2 a6³ I like Black’s flexibility. He will probably take on d4 at the right
time to open the c-file.
C) 7.Re1 Nbd7 8.Nbd2 Be7 9.Nf1 0-0 10.h4
Position after: 10.h4
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This is what White would do if he just wants to start his kingside attack. 10...Qc7 11.N1h2 a5³ But
I do not see any immediate threats and we can also do our pawn storm to open the queenside.
Normally White plays like this when the centre is closed (normally when Black has played ...d5
earlier and white has managed to push e5), but his play is far less obvious here.
7...b4 8.Nbd2 Be7 9.Re1 0-0
This position may arise from various move orders, both camps having played a lot of logical moves.
10.Nc4
10.e5 Once again, there is no problem after this move. 10...dxe5 11.Nxe5 Bxg2 12.Kxg2 Qc7
13.Ndc4 Of course this is the point of White’s play, he has some squares and stable knights, but we
have more space, and we will be able to chase or trade the knights later. But first, prevent Bf4.
13...Nd5= Probably ...Nd7 or ...Bf6 will follow.
10...Nc6!?
10...Nbd7 A top level blitz game occurred with this move, but the knight does not feel like it is on the
best square here. 11.Bf4 d5 12.Nd6 Bc6 13.Ng5 Nb6?
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Position after: 13...Nb6?
And the bunder came. 14.Ndxf7 Rxf7 15.Bh3± The World Champion was much better even if he
eventually lost against the Frenchman in Carlsen, M (2876) – Vachier Lagrave, M (2723) Stavanger
2015.
11.e5
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In most of the games White eventually went for this move. I believe that if he wants to achieve
something he will have to do it eventually. And if he waits too long, we may have ...d5.
11.a5 a6 This also comes back to the same point, the b6-square is quite irrelevant here. 12.e5 Nxe5
13.Nfxe5 Bxg2 14.Kxg2 dxe5 15.Rxe5 Nd5= There is no problem for Black in Movsesian, S (2635)
– Geller, J (2518) Pardubice 2018.
11...dxe5 12.Nfxe5 Qc8 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.Bg5?!
While there were several “equal” variations, the computer does not like this natural continuation.
14.Bxc6 Qxc6 15.b3 Nd5 16.Bb2 Bf6 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.Re5= Probably equal, but I still think that
Black has the easier side.
14...Bxg2
Position after: 14...Bxg2
15.Bxf6
This must be White’s idea, saying that the bishop is not doing much while the knight may look strong
on c4. But it is objectively a mirage.
15.Kxg2 Nd5 16.Bxe7 Nxe7³ White has a few squares, but it is quite sterile. While we can take
advantage of the d4 square with the knight. White’s kingside is a bit weak and he probably will not be
able to play c3 due do the weakening of d3. So d4 looks like a weak spot.
15...Bxf6 16.Kxg2
435
And now, leaving the game Chigaev, M (2644) – Lenderman, A (2648) chess24.com INT 2020, I
would go for the following plan.
16...Qa6!?
The pressure against a4 paralyzes the rook on a1, and then Black follows with the placement on his
rooks in the centre.
17.Qf3 Rad8 18.Re4 Rd5³
The next move will be 19...Rad8 and only Black can be better. This original idea looks promising for
Black if played with the right ideas!
f) 3.b3 a6 4.Bb2 Nc6 5.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3
Position after: 3.b3
With this system White generally tries to get a better version than the 2.b3 line against the Sicilian as
2...e6 is not known to be the best against it. There are a lot of different variations for Black, and I
choose one of the most flexible one.
3...a6!?
3...Nc6 This may transpose but it also gives White the option of transposing into the Rossolimo with
4.Bb5. There is no need to let that happen.
436
4.Bb2 Nc6
And now let us examine White’s best tries from this position.
5.g3
If 5.Be2, Black can immediately react in the centre.

A) 5.c4 See the next subchapter.
B) 5.Bd3?! I think this is too awkward to be good. 5...d6 6.0-0
437
6...Nf6 [6...e5!? This is already a possibility for Black.] 7.Re1 [7.e5 This just leads to a dry and
equal position. 7...dxe5 8.Nxe5 Nxe5 9.Bxe5 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.Nc3 Bd7= ½-½ (14) Solak, D
(2583) – Perunovic, M (2572) Kragujevac 2009.] 7...e5!? When it is difficult for White to react in
the centre with d4 you usually want to play ...e5 even if it requires two moves.
B1) 8.c3 Be7 9.h3 [9.Bc2 Bg4! It is hard to get rid of the pin, that is why White generally prevents
438
it. 10.h3 Bh5 11.d3 0-0³] 9...g5! 10.Bc4 g4 11.hxg4 Bxg4³
B2) 8.h3?! The most played move, but a very bad idea according to the computer. 8...g5!N
Position after: 8...g5!N
With this move Black will easily develop his initiative. 9.Nc3 [9.Nxg5? is well met with 9...Rg8
and ...Bxh3 will follow] 9...Rg8 10.Nd5 g4 11.hxg4 Bxg4‚ And White is in an unpleasant
situation, it is hard for him to find a plan.
C) 5.Be2 d5! We are not afraid to play the isolated pawn position as the bishop on b2 is strangely
placed in this type of position. 6.exd5 exd5 7.d4 Nf6 8.0-0 Be7 9.dxc5
439
Position after: 9.dxc5
9...Bxc5 [9...0-0 This is also interesting, and it resulted in a symmetrical and equal position in the
following blitz game. 10.c4 Bxc5 11.Nc3 dxc4 12.Bxc4 Bg4= Vachier Lagrave, M (2795) –
Grischuk, A (2750) Chess.com INT 2017.] 10.Nd4 0-0 11.Nxc6 [11.Re1?? This line shows how
quickly things can go bad for White. 11...Ne4! 12.Bf3 Nxf2 13.Kxf2 Qh4+–+ Black recovers his
piece on d4.] 11...bxc6 12.Nd2 Re8ƒ White enjoys some initiative.
D) 5.d4?! This is among White’s main continuations, but it is a dubious move, and we can play
concretely here. 5...cxd4 6.Nxd4 Qf6!
Position after: 6...Qf6!
This is the point. White is going to struggle on the dark squares. 7.c3 [7.Be2 Bc5 8.c3 Nge7 This
just transposes.] 7...Bc5 8.Be2 Nge7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Kh1?! [10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Nd2 Ng6ƒ Even here
Black’s play looks easier.] 10...d5 11.exd5 exd5µ
440
Position after: 11...exd5µ
Black’s activity clearly goes along with the isolani. White should have been glad that a draw with
soon agreed in Bauer, C (2562) – Tregubov, P (2620) Saint Vincent 2000.
5...d5 6.exd5
6.e5 g5!? Once again Black can take advantage of how hard it is for Black to find a safe place for his
knight. 7.h3 Bg7 8.Qe2 h6 9.c3 f6!?
441
Black opens the position and takes over the initiative. 10.exf6 Qxf6 11.Bg2 Nge7 12.0-0 And now in
the game Mamedov, R (2651) – Svidler, P (2747) Moscow 2013, instead of castling Svidler could
have played: 12...h5! 13.Na3 g4 14.Nh4 Bd7–+ With nice attacking prospects on the kingside.
6...exd5
Position after: 6...exd5
7.Qe2+
7.Bg2 Qe7+! 8.Qe2 Nb4! 9.Qxe7+ Nxe7 10.Na3 Bf5ƒ
7...Qe7 8.Qxe7+!
It is important for White to exchange at once as Black is unable to take back with the bishop since his
g7 pawn would be hanging.
8...Ngxe7 9.Bg2 Nb4! 10.Na3 Bf5 11.0-0 f6=
442
Position after: 11...f6=
Black could not really take on c2 due to the c5 pawn falling in the end. Black has interesting
prospects, you can review the game 0-1 (28) Bissieres, M (2344) – Guichard, P (2320) Condom 2010.
g) 3.b3 a6 4.Bb2 Nc6 5.c4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b3 a6!? 4.Bb2 Nc6 5.c4
443
This is the main continuation. White prevents a lot of continuations featuring the moves ...b5 or ...d5
and he wants to play d4 at the right time. But it is not clear that he will be able to do it.
5...Qc7
We play this move to be able to follow with ...Nf6 in anticipation of White’s possible e5. The fact
that the queen controls e5 once more, will enable us to play ...Ng4, gaining a tempo against the e5-
pawn.
6.g3
To me this is clearly White’s main option.

A) 6.d4? This is bad, similarly (and even worse) to 5.d4 that we considered in the previous
subchapter. 6...cxd4 7.Nxd4 Qe5!
Position after: 7...Qe5!
White has no good way to defend e4 nor to prepare against ...Bb4+ or ...Bc5 when Black has many
threats. 8.Bc3 Bb4 9.Bxb4 Nxb4–+
B) 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.Be2 I do not really like the bishop here. Black can easily go for active development.
7...Bd6 8.0-0 Nd4 9.g3 0-0ƒ Black will probably follow with ...b6 and ...Bb7 with a fine position. It
is difficult for White to find a plan.
6...Nf6!
444
7.e5
Most of the players continued with this move.

7.Nc3 Nd4!? Was played only once but I like this move because it is the only one which really
prevents 8.d4. 8.Bg2 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Ne2 e5!=
Position after: 10...e5!=
445
We have reached a symmetrical pawn structure with a slight initiative. 11.Nfxd4?! cxd4 This cannot
be a problem. The knight on e2 and the bishop on b2 both lacks good squares due to Black’s centre.
12.f4 d6 13.h3 b5³ Black has the easier position in the blitz game Navara, D (2719) – Svidler, P
(2723) chess24.com INT 2020.
7...Ng4 8.Qe2 b5!
Only a few games saw this move, but with great results for Black. He takes the initiative on the
queenside, and it will prevent ideas of Nc3 by White due to the ...b4 possibilities. Black will soon
have a bishop on the long light-square diagonal.
8...d6 9.exd6 Bxd6?!N
Position after: 9...Bxd6?!N
This looks interesting from a practical point of view. However, the following variation finds White a
bit better in the end, but I am not sure most people would find all of the moves. 10.Bxg7 Rg8 11.Bb2
Bd7 12.Nc3 0-0-0 13.Bg2 f5 14.0-0-0! Nd4 15.Qf1! Rdf8© Black has compensation for the pawn.
9.h3
The most logical move is to chase the knight, and the two games featuring the strongest players saw
this move. Both were played and won by Serbian GM Perunovic as Black. The games are referenced
further below.
9.Bh3 h5!
446
If we can keep the knight here. 10.Na3?! [10.0-0N 10...bxc4 11.bxc4 Rb8 12.Bc3 Bb7 13.Bg2 Be7ƒ]
10...Bb7 11.0-0 Nd4! 12.Nxd4 cxd4 The knight on a3 is misplaced and e5 is also under attack.
13.Bg2 Bxg2 14.Kxg2 Bxa3 15.Bxa3 Nxe5µ Black is just a pawn up in Jain, N (2029) – Tsolakidou,
S (2431) New Delhi 2019.
9...Nh6
Position after: 9...Nh6
447
10.Na3!
The engine validates this move.

10.Bg2?! bxc4 11.Qxc4 In the internet game Beerdsen, T (2461) – Perunovic, M (2545) Chess.com
INT 2017, Black could have improved his play with: 11...a5! 12.Na3 Ba6 13.Nb5 Qb6 14.a4 Rb8³
Black will gain a pawn on the queenside, and White really needs to prove his compensation.
10...Be7!N
Objectively, this may be seen as an improvement, but let us check the game as well.
10...Bb7?! 11.Bg2?! [11.cxb5! White should have accepted the pawn, even if it is not an obvious
choice. 11...Nd4 12.Bxd4 cxd4 13.bxa6 Bxa6 14.Nc4 Bc5©] 11...Nd4!
12.Bxd4 cxd4 13.Nc2 bxc4 14.Qxc4 Qxc4 15.bxc4 Bc5„ The position is just double-edged, and
Black played better and won in Vaibhav, S (2558) – Perunovic, M (2606) Biel 2017.
11.cxb5
11.Bg2 0-0 12.0-0 Rb8=
11...axb5 12.Nxb5 Qb6
448
Position after: 12...Qb6
White has temporarily won a pawn, but he should castle next.
13.Bg2 0-0 14.0-0 Ba6 15.a4 Na7=
Black gets his pawn back. He would probably be better if the knight on h6 was stronger.
h) 3.d4 Nc6 4.d4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4
449
In the previous chapter, about the Delayed Alapin Variation, we considered the move 3.c3. Now the
pawn goes one step further. This position and some of the variations that we will consider here, often
arise from the English Opening as well as the Sicilian with 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3.
3...Nc6
After this logical move White has a tough decision to make. He has only one chance if he wants to
open the position, otherwise we will have the possibility to play 4...e5. It may look strange to you to
consider that 4...e5 is a threat since we have already moved the e-pawn but as we will see this is quite
a strong variation.
4.d4!?
4.Nc3 This will be analysed in the next subchapter.
4...cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6
5...Bc5!? This is also interesting, and it occurred in the final game of the tiebreaks between Carlsen
and Caruana in the 2018 World Cup. 6.Nc2!? Carlsen, M (2835) – Caruana, F (2832) London 2018.
6.Nc3
6.Nxc6 bxc6
450
7.Bd3 [7.Nc3 Bb4 8.Bd3 This comes back to 6.Nc3.] 7...d5! Here, we can immediately go for this
move (with Nc3/...Bb4 included the bishop would be in trouble because of Qa4+ ideas).
A) 8.Nd2 This should be safer for White. 8...Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Qc2 h6 11.b3 Bb7 12.Bb2 a5= The
position seems roughly balanced, and it brought Black a nice result in: Guliev, L (2415) – Potkin, V
(2599) Baku 2015.
451
B) 8.exd5 cxd5 9.0-0 dxc4 10.Bxc4 Bd6=
C) 8.cxd5?! The main move, but already not a great choice. 8...cxd5
C1) 9.exd5 Qxd5 10.0-0?! [10.Be2 Qxd1+ 11.Bxd1 Bb7³] 10...Bb7
11.Qf3 [11.f3?? Rd8–+ And White loses material.] 11...Qxf3 12.gxf3 Bxf3µ
C2) 9.e5?! Nd7 10.Qe2 [10.Bf4 g5! Very ambitious. There are other good continuations as well.
11.Bg3 Bg7µ Black is probably going to take the e-pawn and I do not see many ideas for White to
take advantage of the pawn on g5.] 10...Qc7 11.Bf4 g5!N
452
Position after: 11...g5!N
A strong novelty that no one has managed to find over the board. 12.Bxg5 [12.Bg3?? Qc1+
13.Qd1 Bb4+ 14.Ke2 Qxb2+ 15.Nd2 Nc5!–+ Black is easily winning.; 12.Be3 Bg7 13.0-0
Qxe5µ] 12...Qxe5 13.Qxe5 Nxe5 14.Bb5+ Bd7 15.Bxd7+ Nxd7µ Black has a great centre and
play coming against b2 with ...Bg7 and ...Rb8 to come.
6...Bb4
453
This position usually arises from the English Opening with various move orders. It is interesting to
mention that in chapter 2 of this book about 5.c4 we considered the same position with ...a6 played
instead of ...Nc6. I think that this version is slightly improved because of the more active
development and immediate action in the centre.
7.Nxc6
A) 7.f3?! d5³ Needless so say that White is in trouble in the centre, especially on the dark squares.
B) 7.Qd3?! Now this move is not great, and Black can quickly react in the centre. 7...0-0 8.Be2 d5³
7...bxc6 8.Bd3
8.e5?! Objectively this is bad, and I only see one idea for White. 8...Ne4 9.Qg4
Position after: 9.Qg4
Other moves are not as good, but this does not work well either. 9...Nxc3 10.a3! [10.Bd2? Nd5!
11.cxd5 Bxd2+ 12.Kxd2 Qa5+–+] 10...Qa5 11.Qxg7 Rf8 12.Bd3 Ba6! 13.axb4!
454
Position after: 13.axb4!
Clearly the best move. [13.0-0? Be7!µ The key! Now Bd2 is not strong anymore because of ...Ne2+
trading the knight for the bishop on d2.] 13...Qxa1 14.0-0 0-0-0! 15.bxc3 Qxc3 16.Qg3 Bxc4
17.Bxc4 Qxc4 18.Qa3© We have a few practical problems, but Black should still be better.
8...e5!
I like this pawn structure more than the ones with ...d5 (although they are also playable), but it gives
White some possibilities of having an isolated pawn in the centre at the right time.
9.0-0 0-0
455
White has played so many things here it is really hard to analyse such a position where everything is
playable. I will simply check two of the main moves and give you some tips.
10.Be3
10.Bg5 h6 11.Bh4 I am not fond of this for White as the bishop is not fighting for the d4-square.
11...Bc5 12.Kh1 g5!?
456
Position after: 12...g5!?
An enterprising move that I like a lot. [12...d6 This has been played more often. One high-level game
continued with 13.f3 Be6 14.Qc2 Rb8 15.Rad1 Bd4= Nakamura, H (2789) – Gelfand, B (2777) Wijk
aan Zee 2014.] 13.Bg3 d6 14.Rb1 Rb8 15.a3 a5 16.Qa4 Qb6! White is unable to react, so he tries
forcing moves that do not fully work. 17.b4 axb4 18.axb4 Bxb4 19.c5 Qxc5! 20.Na2 Qd4µ
Position after: 20...Qd4µ
And as in Borgo, G (2397) – Tarlev, K (2552) Ortisei 2018, White will struggle to find compensation
for the two pawns.
10...d6
10...Bxc3 11.bxc3 d6 12.h3ƒ It is not easy to find a plan for Black here because he does not want to
play ...d5 anymore as this would open the position for White’s bishop pair and it would trade one of
the double c-pawns.
11.h3 Be6 12.Na4
457
Position after: 12.Na4
A thematical move preparing a3 and b4. But we can react immediately on the centre.
12...d5!=
We open the centre, and the dark-square bishop gains new squares, especially the safe point e7.
i) 3.c4 Nc6 4.Nc3 e5 5.d3 d6 6.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Nc6 4.Nc3
458
A logical move. White develops and waits for Black to show what he wants do before he decides to
play d4. In many cases he can get a better game than with 4.d4. However, Black has a move that has
been underestimated.
4.Be2 e5!? Sooner or later, White will play Nc3, and it will transpose to the same positions as in the
main line.
4...e5!?
I am close to thinking that this move deserves an exclamation mark but there are other interesting
lines for Black. This is concrete. Black blocks the centre even if it means that he moves his e-pawn
for the second time. It is weird to consider that Black can be fine, White has the extra move (Nf3) in a
symmetrical position. But it is just a drawback, the knight is misplaced here, and it allows us to spend
a second move with the e-pawn. When you look at the position from a dynamical point of view it is
clear that there is no pawn break on the d-file. When one side wants to break open the position it will
be either on the b-file or the f-file which is probably stronger. Black will prepare himself by placing
his knight on e7 while White will have to move his knight again, probably to a less active square.
That is why Black is really fine. As you will see his plan is very simple.
5.d3
White can start with many other moves but in the end, everything can arise from this move order as
d3 is the only “pretty sure” move.
5...d6
459
And now, let us discuss a lot of sidelines for White. The next subchapter will cover 6.Be2.
6.g3
This generally leads to further symmetry in the position.

A) 6.Nd5 These has similar ideas than 6.a3 and it looks threatening but there is nothing to be
concerned about. 6...g6 7.b4 Bg7 8.Bg5 f6
460
Position after: 8...f6
There is no problem playing this move as ...f5 is the idea in the end. 9.Be3 b6 10.h4 h6„ We will
see this idea at other moments. We just want to be able to meet h5 with ...g5 which keeps he
kingside closed and under control.
B) 6.a3!? This cannot be a bad move as White prepares his b4-break. We do not need to do anything
about it, just let it happen. 6...g6 7.b4
Position after: 7.b4
7...Bg7 I think the only rule is never take on b4. Even if you think you are winning a pawn, it will
only help White get the better position on the queenside. [7...cxb4? 8.axb4 Nxb4 9.d4! Even without
this move White will be fine as he has Ba3 for example. 9...exd4 10.Nxd4 Bg7 11.Ndb5±] 8.Rb1
Nge7 We will see similar ideas later. White can do anything here and I believe his best idea is to go
for a fianchetto. 9.g3 0-0 10.Bg2 b6 11.0-0
461
Now we cannot play 11...f5 because we are not ready to open the diagonal of the bishop on g2, but
we can prepare it. 11...Bd7 12.Ne1 Nd4 13.Nc2 Nxc2 14.Qxc2 Nc6 15.Be3 Nd4 16.Qd1 Rb8„ At
some point ...f5 will come.
C) 6.h3 White played this in several games but it does not seem right. First, it does not really parry
any of our ideas because Bg4 is not in our plan. And White is giving up on playing h4 which
challenges our fianchetto. 6...g6!
462
I prefer to take some time and start with the obvious moves. [6...f5?! Has worked well in practice,
but it looks like White can justify his last move. 7.exf5 Bxf5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Bg2²] 7.Be2 Bg7 8.0-0
Nge7 9.a3 This move contains more ideas than 6.h3. White is willing to push b4 at some point and
we will meet this idea several times in this subchapter. 9...0-0 10.Rb1 f5!? 11.b4 b6„ We will see
similar ideas later but not necessarily with White’s pawn already on h3.
6...g6 7.Bg2 Bg7 8.0-0 Nge7
9.a3
9.Ne1 Bringing the knight towards c2 and eventually e3 is another idea. 9...0-0 10.Nc2 a6 11.a3 Rb8
12.b4 b5= And a draw was quickly agreed in Sax, G (2492) – Hracek, Z (2624) Sibenik 2011, but the
position is still full of life.
9...0-0 10.Rb1 f5!?
There are a lot of other preparatory moves, and it may not be the best, but it is straightforward.
11.b4 f4 12.bxc5 dxc5 13.Nd5 Qd6
463
Position after: 13...Qd6
MVL stabilized the centre before moving forward on the kingside.
14.Bb2 b6 15.Bc3 h6‚
Black prepares ...g5 and his plan is obvious. Please examine the blitz game Topalov, V (2761) –
Vachier Lagrave, M (2789) Leuven 2016.
j) 3.c4 Nc6 4.Nc3 e5 3.d3 d6 6.Be2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Nc6 4.Nc3 e5!? 5.d3 d6 6.Be2
464
This is what happened in most of the games. This is the natural square for the bishop, and it leaves
White with every possibility for his remaining pieces while waiting for Black to show his
development.
6...g6
We can play a fianchetto and prepare ...f5.
7.0-0
A) 7.Nd5 Bg7 8.Bg5 f6 9.Bd2 Nge7 10.a3 0-0 11.b4 b6 We have already seen similar positions
after 6.Nd5. Black is solid, and he wants to push ...f5 at some point to start his kingside initiative.
B) 7.h4 h6! 8.h5 g5 This is not so convincing for White because Black is safe and the pawn on h5
may be in trouble in the middlegame. The justification is seen in the following game. 9.Be3 Bg7
10.Nd2 Nge7
465
11.g4?! Stockfish dislikes this concept but at least it stops Black’s plan to push ...f5. Also, a knight
may come to f5 after Nf1-g3. 11...0-0 12.a3 Nd4 13.b4 a6 14.Rb1 b5! Black’s idea is correct. If he
manages to get rid of the pawn on c4 he will be able to push ...d5 and open the centre. White does
not want this as he played g4 and did not plan on castling soon. 15.cxb5 cxb4 16.Rxb4 axb5
17.Bxd4 exd4 18.Nxb5 d5!µ The above plan occurred in the game Jablonicky, M (2296) – Czebe, A
(2475) Senica 2017, which Black won convincingly. Despite being a pawn down he is already much
better.
7...Bg7
466
Position after: 7...Bg7
8.Ne1
With this move White can choose between two different plans: playing f4 or bringing the knight to
better squares, via c2.
8.a3 Nge7 9.b4 0-0 10.bxc5 dxc5 11.Nd5
467
Of course, a knight on d5 is always strong. We cannot really take it with certainty because it would
create a protected passed pawn, but we can live with it as long as everything is under control because
White does not want to take on e7. 11...h6 12.Be3 b6 13.Nd2 Be6 14.Nb3 f5ƒ This is always Black’s
plan, and it was seen in Pugachov, A (2499) – Shaposhnikov, E (2554) chessassistantclub.com INT
2004.
8...Nge7 9.Nc2
9.f4 The drawback of this plan is that it shows the whole problem with White’s opening. He must
spend two moves with the knight to achieve something we will do without any loss of time. 9...0-0
10.Nf3 f5!
The bishop on g7 is objectively more active than the one on e2 if the position becomes more open.
11.fxe5 dxe5 12.Be3 Nd4 13.Nd5
A) 13...f4? You should be careful with this move as it fixes a pawn on a dark square which is
something your g7 bishop does not like. White then has 14.Bxd4 cxd4 15.Nd2². White is willing to
continue with Bg4, and he somehow looks better from a positional point of view.
B) 13...Nec6 14.Qd2 Be6= The position is objectively balanced, but Black’s prospects are
interesting and clearer than White’s plans.
9...0-0 10.Rb1 f5 11.b4 f4!?
468
This move aims at taking away the e3 square from the knight, but it gives White the chance to trade
his bad light-squares bishop. Well, we cannot have everything!
12.Bg4 b6=
Our goal is to hold on the queenside and to try something on the kingside. The chances are equal from
an objective point of view but being the one that attacks the king is always easier from a
psychological point of view.
k) 3.Nc3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3
2.Nc3
469
I did hesitate before writing about this move as I thought it was not in the spirit of the rest of the
book. Also (and contrary to 2.Nf3), Black has different options here that we will examine now.
A) 2...a6!? This is another usual choice by Black which may transpose into open lines of the Kan.
Black has other independent variations against the Grand Prix Attack and the Closed Sicilian, by
playing 3...b5
B) 2...Nc6 Even this move is fully playable. White has a lot of lines but if he wants to come back to
an Open Sicilian where you cannot play the Kan variation (because the knight on c6 does not fit in
this opening), you also have a solution: 3.Nf3 e5!? This is more usual in the Sicilian Kalashnikov,
but it is also very reasonable and a fully independent variation.
C) 2...e6 Of course this is the main idea. The transpositions will be obvious in case of Nf3 followed
by d4. While against the Grand Prix Attack (3.f4) or the Closed Sicilian (3.g3), you can generally
push 3...d5 to immediately react in the centre.
2...e6 3.Nc3
470
In this last subchapter we must check this possibility for White which may also arise from the move
order 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3. White’s goal is to keep some flexibility and see what move you play before
deciding on his 4th move.
3...a6
This move is necessary to retain the possibility of transposing into the Open Sicilian. This is clearly
White’s main option here, but he can also opt for other sidelines.
4.g3
The most logical move compared to 4.Be2 as White keeps the option of bringing the knight back to
e2 instead of f3.
A) 4.d4 This will transpose into the Open Sicilian which is covered in the chapter about 5.Nc3.
B) 4.Be2?!
471
Position after: 4.Be2?!
This kind of set up is too passive for White. He needs to play d4, sooner or later, as he does not have
any other pawn break. But if he does not, he will just end up worse. 4...b5 5.0-0 Bb7 6.d3 Nc6
7.Re1 d6 8.d4 At some point White eventually realized that his plan gets him nowhere, and he will
end up worse. 8...cxd4 9.Nxd4 Nf6 10.a4 b4 11.Nxc6 Bxc6³
Position after: 11...Bxc6³
White is already worse, and he is going to risk it all. 12.Nd5? exd5 13.exd5 Bd7 14.Bc4+ Be7–+
472
Leveille, F – Spraggett, K (2445) Montreal 1980.
C) 4.a4 At least it prevents Black from playing ...b5. 4...d5!?
But now this move becomes stronger than one move earlier. [4...Nc6 Of course this is also a
completely playable option. It is questionable if White can risk entering the Open Sicilian while
having played a4.] 5.exd5 exd5 6.d4! The only logical move for White. But if we compare it with
the position without the inclusion of a4/...a6, we can see that White is unable to play the logical
Bb5. Now Black may be able to use the b4 square that has been weakened by 4.a4. 6...Nf6 7.Be2
Nc6 8.0-0 Be6 9.Be3
473
Now, a top game continued 9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 Bb4 11.Bf3 0-0 12.Nce2 Ne5„ Black seems to have
enough play for the isolated pawn in Ponomariov, R (2703) – Dreev, A (2655) Lugo 2006.
4...b5 5.Bg2
5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bb7 This is a transposition into Chapter 3 where we discussed 5.Nc3 b5 6.g3 Bb7.
5...Bb7 6.d3
474
This is the only move with an independent value. But it does not mean it is great for White!
6...d6 7.0-0 Be7!?
A smart move-order. You will see what we are trying to avoid in the next variation.
7...Nf6 8.Ng5 h6 9.Nh3„ For some reason, a significant number of games have reached this
position. It is probably not great for White, but at least he has the plan of pushing his f-pawn.
8.Ne1
This is in the same spirit as 7...Be7 8.Ng5, White wants to advance his f-pawn.
A) 8.a4 b4 9.Ne2 Nf6³ This position has also occurred in many games, but I cannot see any trace of
a useful plan for White.
B) 8.Re1 Nd7
At this point most White players have found themselves out of moves so they played: 9.d4 cxd4
10.Nxd4=. This transposes into the Open Sicilian with a loss of tempo for having played d4 in two
moves. This should provide Black with easy equality.
C) 8.e5 This leads nowhere for White. 8...dxe5 9.Nxe5 Bxg2 10.Kxg2 Nd7 11.Nc6 He gains our
bishop, but it helps us develop efficiently. 11...Qb6 12.Nxe7 Nxe7 And Black won convincingly in
Nuber, K (2258) – Weiss, C (2401) Bayern 2013.
475
8...Nc6 9.f4 Nf6
Now White can play the following line.
10.h3 0-0 11.g4 Nd7 12.g5
In the game Galego, L (2485) – Santos Latasa, J (2575) Penafiel 2020, Black’s play could have been
improved with an immediate opening of the kingside.
12...f6! 13.gxf6 Nxf6 14.Nf3 Qd7 15.Be3 d5!µ
476
Position after: 15...d5!µ
Black is clearly in control, and he has a strong initiative in the centre. As we saw, there are not so
many interesting systems for White if he wants to play with 2.Nf3 e6 3.Nc3 without a latter d4.
This is a transposition into 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be2 Bb4. This
line with 6.Be2 (6.Nxc6 or 6.Ndb5 are the main lines) does not have a great reputation for White.
Remember we already discussed this type of position in another chapter. In addition, with White
first playing 3.Be2 it is doubtful he will transpose into an open Sicilian.
This transposes into 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.a3 which is a main line
here (as we discussed in a similar variation of 3.Be2). It is a good idea to study this variation as
well, but it would be a surprise if it happened with this move order.
Chapter Conclusion
A lot of players are quite unsatisfied with the Open Sicilian against 2...e6 and they often turn
themselves toward one of these sidelines. I do not think that there is much to worry about, but you
must understand the subtilities of the move orders and learn completely different plans if you
compare the Open Sicilian with the Kan.
This concludes our work on the Kan Variation of the Sicilian Defence. I hope I have given you a
reasonable survey of this interesting opening and that you are ready to experience it!
477
Table of Contents
Title page 3
Key to Symbols 4
Bibliography 5
Preface 6
Chapter 1 – 5.Bd3 8
Chapter 2 – 5.c4 75
Chapter 3 – 5.Nc3 146
Chapter 4 – 5.Be2 234
Chapter 5 – 5.Be3 281
Chapter 6 – Various 5th moves 316
Chapter 7 – The Delayed Alapin Variation 350
Chapter 8 – Various 3rd moves 397
478

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Table of Contents

Thinkers Publishing 2022

First edition 2022 by Thinkers Publishing

Editorial Director: Adrien Demuth

Chartres, October 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5

Position after: 4...a6

A) 6.c3 will be covered in the next subchapter.

Position after: 6...d6!

7.Nd2 Nf6 8.c3 0-0 9.Qe2 Qc7 10.0-0 Nbd7

Position after: 13.N1d2

13...Bd7!?N 14.Rac1 Rfd8 15.Nd4 Qb6³

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5

Position after: 5...Bc5

Position after: 10...h6!N

Position after: 10...h6

9.N2b3 Ba7 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Qe2

9...e5 10.N4b3 Ba7 11.Nc4 Be6 12.Qe2

Position after: 12.Qe2

13...h6 14.Bh4 Re8 15.Rfe1

15...g5 16.Bg3 Nf8µ.

c) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qg4 Nf6 8.--

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3!

Position after: 6.Nb3!

Position after: 10.a4

A) 8.Qxg7? Rg8 9.Qh6 Bxf2+!

Position after: 9...Bxf2+!

Position after: 12.Bg5

Stopping the move e4-e5 is a priority.

This is one of the most logical moves for White.

Position after: 10...b5

11...Ne5! 12.Kh1 h6 13.Bd2 g5!

Position after: 13...g5!

17...Rg8!N 18.Qh4 Rc8

19.Nf4 b4 20.Bxb4 Nxd3 21.cxd3 e5µ

...Rc2 and possibly ...Ng4 are coming.

d) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Qg4 Nf6! 8.Qg3

Position after: 10.Bg5!?

10...h6! 11.Bd2 b5!?

Position after: 12.f4?!

18.Bxa4 [18.Nd2 a3 19.b3 Bg4µ] 18...Bxe3 19.Bxc6 Bxf2 20.Qxf2 Qxc6–+

Position after: 14.f4!?

16.Qxe5? Qxb4 17.Qg3 a5µ

17.Bxd6 Nxd3+ 18.Qxd3

18.Rxd3? Ne4 19.Qf3 Bb7–+

19.Kb1 Bb7 20.Rhf1 Qxg2µ

19...Qe3+ 20.Qxe3 Bxe3+ 21.Kb1 Bb7³.

e) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.--

Position after: 12.Bh4²

Position after: 12...Be6

10...h4 11.Bh2 Nf6 12.Qd2 d6 13.0-0-0 Be6!

There is no rush to castle as we have another option for the king.

f) 6.Nb3 Ba7 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.0-0

Position after: 9...d5!?N

10.Be3?? d4–+ This is the reason why Bc1-e3 is prevented.

Position after: 12.Rad1

Position after: 13.Bf4

13.Bxh6? Is too early to be strong. 13...gxh6 14.Qxh6 Bf5µ