Taimanov: Sicilian Defence and Related Systems
Taimanov
Definition
In contemporary chess jargon the single word “Taimanov” most commonly denotes the Sicilian Defence, Taimanov Variation, which begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6. The term, however, can also refer to several other systems that the Soviet grandmaster and concert-pianist Mark Evgenievich Taimanov (1926-2016) popularised, notably lines in the Nimzo-Indian, Grünfeld and Benoni. Unless otherwise specified, “the Taimanov” means the Sicilian set-up.
Typical Move-Order & Tabiyas
Core position after 4…Nc6:
- White’s most popular continuations are 5. Nc3, 5. Nxc6, and the ambitious 5. Nb5.
- Black can defer …d6 or …e6–e5, keeping the pawn structure flexible and pieces harmonious.
Strategic & Tactical Themes
- Flexibility. Black’s pawn chain is not yet fixed; depending on White’s scheme, Black may choose …d6, …Bb4, …Qc7, …a6 or even transpose to Scheveningen structures with …d6 and …e6.
- Piece Play. Neither side is committed to an early pawn storm, so rapid development and control of the central dark squares (d4 & e5) are critical.
- Isolated & Hanging Pawns. Some lines lead to IQP positions for White after c4, while others give Black hanging pawns on c5–d6 if he replies …d6 before …d5.
- Minor-Piece Imbalances. After 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be2 a6, the typical trade …Nf6xe4 or …Bb4xc3 can yield unbalanced bishop vs knight fights.
Historical Significance
Mark Taimanov introduced the system in top-level practice in the late 1950s. His victory against Paul Keres (USSR Ch., Moscow 1956) drew attention to the concept of delaying …d6 in the Sicilian. The variation became a mainstay in the repertoires of Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov, Vassily Ivanchuk, and today’s specialists such as Anish Giri and Fabiano Caruana.
Important Branches
- English Attack set-ups (5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.f3 Nf6 8.Qd2): White aims for Be3, f3, 0-0-0 and g4.
- Browne System (5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Ndb5 Qb8 7.a4): A prophylactic plan to clamp down on …b5.
- 5.Nb5—a direct test that often continues 5…d6 6.c4 Nf6, grabbing central space at the cost of tempi.
- 5.Nxc6—the Capablanca Line—leading to an IQP structure that appeals to positional players.
Illustrative Game
Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (game 4), Seville 1987
Kasparov introduced a pawn-sacrifice novelties with 10.c4, eventually steering the game into a favorable endgame and a famous win.
Other “Taimanov” Systems
- Nimzo-Indian, Taimanov: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 c5. Black challenges the centre immediately instead of castling.
- Grünfeld, Taimanov–Flohr: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 Bg7 5.e3.
- Benoni, Taimanov: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d5 6.cxd5 Bc5.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Mark Taimanov was not only a world-class grandmaster but also a concert pianist who recorded the complete Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach.
- In the 1971 Candidates match against Bobby Fischer, Taimanov lost 0-6—a result so shocking in the USSR that authorities removed his name from book titles. Yet his opening legacy remained untarnished.
- The Taimanov is one of the few Sicilian branches where Black can choose between opposite-side and same-side castling almost until move 10.
- The modern computer engines show near-equality for Black, which is why it is favoured by players seeking dynamic, yet sound play.
When & Why to Choose the Taimanov
If you enjoy Sicilian positions but dislike being forced into the heavily theorised Najdorf or Sveshnikov, the Taimanov offers:
- A lighter theoretical workload with multiple transpositional exits.
- Balanced risk: Black can play for a win without the razor-sharp king-side exposures of some Sicilians.
- Excellent surprise value because many e4-players prepare mainly for Najdorf, Sveshnikov and Classical lines.
Further Study Suggestions
- Review the annotated games of Taimanov himself— especially his wins against Keres (1956) and Kotov (1952).
- Examine the recent repertoire of Anish Giri, who scores impressively with the line in elite tournaments.
- Use engine sparring: play out the tabiya after 5.Nc3 Qc7 with both colors to grasp typical tactical resources.