Sicilian: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack

Sicilian: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack

Definition

The Sicilian: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack is an anti-Sicilian system that arises after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. White immediately targets the knight on c6 with the idea of inflicting long-term structural damage by Bxc6, or exerting positional pressure on the queenside and central dark squares. This line is commonly referred to as the Rossolimo Variation; “Nyezhmetdinov” (more often spelled Nezhmetdinov) acknowledges the great attacking player Rashid Nezhmetdinov’s contributions alongside Nicolas Rossolimo. The variation is usually cataloged in ECO codes B30–B33.

It contrasts with the related Moscow Variation, which occurs after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+. In short: Rossolimo appears after ...Nc6 without check, while Moscow appears after ...d6 with check.

How It Is Used

Purpose and Practical Role

Players choose the Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack to avoid the heavy theory of Open Sicilians (e.g., Najdorf, Sveshnikov) while still fighting for an edge. It leads to rich, strategically complex middlegames with relatively lower memorization demands than 3. d4.

  • White’s core idea: pressure the knight on c6, and often exchange on c6 to damage Black’s queenside pawn structure (creating c7–c6 pawns), then play against the weakened dark squares and slow pawn mass.
  • Black’s counterplay: use the bishop pair and central breaks (...e5, ...d5) or a kingside fianchetto (...g6, ...Bg7) to generate dynamic play and neutralize White’s positional trumps.

Key Move Orders and Branches

Main Starting Position

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5

  • 3...g6: Black fianchettoes. White can castle short and choose between maintaining tension or exchanging on c6.
  • 3...e6: Black builds a flexible Scheveningen-style center. White can play Bxc6 and meet ...bxc6 structures with dark-square pressure.
  • 3...Qc7 or 3...Nf6: Useful developing moves that avoid committing to a specific structure too early.
  • Transposition note: If Black had played 2...d6 first, 3. Bb5+ is the Moscow Variation.

Illustrative Move Orders

  • Fianchetto line: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5 6. b4!? aiming for rapid queenside play. After 6...Nxb4 7. c3 Nc6 8. d4, White grabs space and central scope.
  • Structural damage plan: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. O-O Nd7 8. Re1 e5 with a complex positional battle where White eyes dark squares and c5/c6 targets.
  • Versus ...e6: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. O-O d5 (or ...Ne7/...d6 setups). White often plays d3, Nbd2, Re1, and b3/Bb2 while restraining ...d5.

Strategic Ideas

White’s Typical Plans

  • Exchange on c6 to create doubled c-pawns, then blockade and pressure c5/c6 with pieces and pawns (moves like Qe2, b3, Bb2, Re1, Nbd2–c4, a4).
  • Keep the bishop, maintain the pin, and build up with O-O, Re1, c3, d4 or d3 setups, sometimes supported by h3 and a4 to control key squares and stop ...b5.
  • Breaks: c3–d4 is thematic when Black has allowed a slower setup; b4!? can be a dynamic gambit ingredient against ...e5 lines.

Black’s Typical Plans

  • Fianchetto with ...g6, ...Bg7, then ...e5 or ...d6 and ...Nge7–O-O to stabilize and use the bishop pair.
  • Central counterplay with ...d5 or ...e5; timely ...a6 may ask the bishop to decide, and recaptures with ...bxc6 or ...dxc6 each lead to distinct plans.
  • Queenside expansion with ...Rb8, ...e6–...d5 breaks in the ...e6 lines, and piece activity on light squares to offset White’s dark-square grip.

Example Positions

Illustrative Line: Fianchetto with b4!?

White seizes space and challenges Black’s central setup. After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5 6. b4!? Nxb4 7. c3 Nc6 8. d4, White’s center rolls forward, often followed by Ba3, Na3–c4, and pressure on d6/e5.


Illustrative Line: Early Bxc6 and Dark-Square Strategy

Here, White damages Black’s structure and plays against the c-pawns and dark squares. A typical outline is:


Visual cues: Black’s pawns on c6/c5 can be targets; White often places a knight on c4 and a rook on c1 to increase pressure, while Qe2 supports e4–e5 or reinforces d3–c4 structures.

Common Mistakes and Traps

  • For White: Exchanging on c6 without a plan. If Black easily achieves ...e5 and ...d5, the bishop pair and central breaks can free Black’s game.
  • For Black: Premature ...Nf6 and ...e5 combinations that allow tactical blows like Nxe5 or Qa4 hitting c6 and e5. Always check tactics against the pinned knight on c6.
  • Greedy ...Nxb4 in the b4 lines without calculating c3–d4 follow-ups; White can rapidly seize the initiative.

Historical and Modern Significance

Origins and Namesakes

Nicolas Rossolimo popularized 3. Bb5 in the mid-20th century, proving that the anti-Sicilian approach could yield serious winning chances. Rashid Nezhmetdinov (often spelled “Nezhmetdinov”) enriched the theory with creative, attacking ideas—hence the combined name.

Notable Usage

  • Magnus Carlsen used the Rossolimo repeatedly in the World Chess Championship 2016 against Sergey Karjakin to sidestep deep Open Sicilian theory.
  • Game 1 of the World Chess Championship 2018 (Carlsen vs. Caruana) also featured 3. Bb5, underscoring the line’s standing at the highest level.
  • Many elite players—Adams, Aronian, Nepomniachtchi, Nakamura, and others—have adopted it as a practical weapon when facing the Sicilian.

Practical Tips

  • Have two setups ready: a “positional” Bxc6 plan (d3, Qe2, Re1, b3, Bb2) and a “dynamic” plan (O-O, Re1, c3, d4 with or without b4!?). Switching keeps you unpredictable.
  • As Black, decide early whether to aim for a fianchetto (...g6) or a central scheme (...e6/...d6). Know which recapture (…dxc6 or …bxc6) suits your style and which plans it mandates.
  • Study typical endgames from doubled-c-pawn structures: White often enjoys targets and better dark-square control; Black relies on the bishop pair and timely breaks.

Related Terms

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Last updated 2025-09-01