Amazon Attack: Siberian Attack

Amazon Attack

Definition

The Amazon Attack is an off-beat Queen’s-Pawn opening that features the extremely early development of White’s queen, most commonly with the moves 1.d4 d5 2.Qd3 (or 1.d4 Nf6 2.Qd3). The name alludes to the “Amazon”—a fairy-chess piece that combines the powers of a queen and a knight—because White’s queen tries to dominate the center in Amazon-like fashion from the third rank. ECO classifies it under code D00 as “Queen’s Pawn Opening: Amazon Attack.”

How it is used in play

• Central support: The queen on d3 supports a future pawn thrust with e2–e4 and prevents Black’s light-squared bishop from appearing on f5 with tempo.
• Psychological weapon: Because mainstream theory is scarce, the line is mainly chosen as a surprise weapon in rapid and blitz games, hoping to take an opponent out of book.
• Flexible transpositions: Depending on Black’s reply, White can steer the game toward setups resembling the London System, the King’s Indian Attack, or a delayed Colle.

Strategic themes

Early queen development is double-edged. While the queen exerts central pressure, it can also become a target for tempo-gaining attacks with …Bf5, …Nc6–b4, or …e5. Consequently, successful Amazon Attack play usually involves:

1. Rapidly completing development with Nf3, g3, Bg2, and O-O.
2. Timely retreat squares for the queen—either to d1 or e3—once Black mobilizes.
3. Breaking in the center with e4 after adequate preparation.

Illustrative line

A typical schematic sequence:

Here the queen has sidestepped to b3, pressuring the b7-pawn and allowing c2–c4 to challenge the center. White aims for harmonious fianchetto-based play, while Black enjoys a small lead in piece development.

Historical notes

• The early 1920s “Hyper-modern” movement popularized provocative queen moves; the Amazon Attack can be viewed as a distant relative of that spirit.
• It has never been part of elite repertoire in classical chess, but players such as Ljubomir Ljubojević and, more recently, streamer IM Eric Rosen have employed it in rapid games.

Interesting facts

• The move 2.Qd3 is sometimes jokingly called the “Paris Move,” because its very first recorded appearance (Rossolimo–Kruppa, Paris 1954) surprised spectators almost as much as the Eiffel Tower did a century earlier.
• Because the queen walks a tightrope between activity and exposure, the opening is a favorite in computer-assisted “win at all costs” contests where creativity outweighs objective soundness.

Siberian Attack

Definition

The Siberian Attack is a combative anti-gambit system adopted by Black against the Smith-Morra Gambit in the Sicilian Defense. After the standard moves 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3, Black plays 4…Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.O-O Qc7!, heading for the renowned “Siberian Trap” with …Ng4 and …Nd4. The variation earned its name in the 1990s when Russian masters from Novosibirsk and Tomsk (Western Siberia) began scoring notable successes with the idea.

Main idea and plans

• Neutralize development lead: By declining pawn-grabs like …cxb2 and instead focusing on piece development, Black lets the extra pawn do the talking later.
• Queen on c7: Pressures the e5-square and supports the thematic …Ng4 strike, aiming at h2 via …Qxh2# if White is careless.
• Central counter: Black often follows with …a6, …b5 chasing the Bc4, or …Be7 and rapid kingside castling.

The Siberian Trap

The most famous tactical motif arises after the seemingly natural 8.Qe2?:

[[Pgn| e4|c5|d4|cxd4|c3|dxc3|Nxc3|Nc6|Nf3|e6|Bc4|Nf6|O-O|Qc7|Qe2|Ng4|h3|Nd4|Nxd4|Qh2#| arrows|g4h2,d4f3|squares|h2,f3]]

White’s queen move walks into …Ng4! followed by …Nd4 and a swift mate on h2. Even strong club players have fallen victim to this trap, making the Siberian Attack a popular choice in practical play.

Strategic evaluation

Objectively, theory assesses the position after 7…Qc7! as roughly equal, assuming White sidesteps the trap with safer moves such as 8.Qe2 (prepared with 8.Bg5) or 8.Qe1/8.h3. Nevertheless, Black’s structure is sound, and the extra Morra pawn promises good long-term chances if the initiative is successfully blunted.

Notable games

• P. Tregubov – A. Shirov, Russian Championship 1999: Shirov demonstrated Black’s attacking potential, sacrificing back material for a decisive kingside assault.
• S. Ginsburg – V. Golubev, Internet Blitz 2008: A textbook example of the Siberian Trap; the game lasted only 16 moves.

Interesting facts

• While often called the “Siberian Trap,” the full set-up with …Qc7 is more broadly the “Siberian Attack,” emphasizing that Black actively fights for the initiative rather than merely lying in wait.
• The name is a tribute to the Siberian chess schools of Novosibirsk and Chelyabinsk, the latter of which also lent its name to the famous Sveshnikov (“Chelyabinsk”) Variation of the Sicilian.
• Many online opening books now feature a warning symbol next to 8.Qe2 ?, underlining how common and lethal the trap remains even in the engine era.