Anti-Sicilian - Chess Glossary

Anti-Sicilian

Definition

The term “Anti-Sicilian” covers all White systems against 1...c5 (the Sicilian Defense) that avoid the Open Sicilian structure arising after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 followed by 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4. Instead of entering the vast and deeply analyzed Open Sicilian main lines (Najdorf, Scheveningen, Sveshnikov, Dragon, etc.), Anti-Sicilians steer the game into alternative structures and plans, often with different piece placements and early move-order nuances.

How It’s Used in Chess

Players choose Anti-Sicilians to sidestep heavy theoretical highways, to surprise well-prepared opponents, or to reach middlegames that better suit their style. At every level—from club tournaments to World Championship matches—Anti-Sicilians serve as practical weapons to control the type of game that will arise. From Black’s point of view, handling Anti-Sicilians well is essential: you must know how to equalize efficiently and avoid conceding long-term structural or dark-square weaknesses.

Common Anti-Sicilian Systems

• Alapin (2. c3): Aims for a strong pawn center with d4. Typical replies include 2...Nf6 or 2...d5. Plans revolve around e5–d4 space and quick development. See also: Alapin.
• Rossolimo (2...Nc6 3. Bb5): White pins the knight, pressures c6 and d5 squares, and plays for structural damage with Bxc6 or positional squeeze. See also: Rossolimo Variation.
• Moscow (2...d6 3. Bb5+): An early check that disrupts Black’s setup, provoking ...Bd7 or ...Nd7 and often inflicting long-term queenside weaknesses. See also: Moscow Variation.
• Closed Sicilian (often 2. Nc3 with g3/Bg2): Slow buildup on the kingside with f4, Be3, Qd2, and sometimes h4–h5, aiming for a kingside pawn storm. See also: Closed Sicilian.
• Grand Prix Attack (2. f4 or 2. Nc3 and 3. f4): Direct kingside attack, rapid development, and control of e5. See also: Grand Prix Attack.
• Smith–Morra Gambit (2. d4 cxd4 3. c3): White sacrifices a pawn for development and initiative along the c- and d-files. See also: Smith–Morra Gambit.
• Wing Gambit (2. b4): White tries to divert Black’s c-pawn and undermine the queenside structure early.
• Other Setups: King’s Indian Attack with d3, g3, Bg2; hybrid lines with Bb5; and offbeat tries like 2. b3 or 2. Qf3 to surprise the opponent.

Strategic Themes and Ideas

• Control of d5: Many Anti-Sicilians (Rossolimo/Moscow, Closed/Grand Prix) revolve around preventing ...d5, a central liberating break for Black.
• Structural Targets: In Bb5 systems, White often aims for doubled c-pawns after Bxc6, playing against Black’s weakened queenside structure and dark squares.
• Central vs. Flank Play: Alapin battles for the center (e5–d4) while lines like the Wing Gambit or Closed Sicilian emphasize flank play and piece activity.
• Typical Pawn Structures:
  • Alapin: French-like or Caro–Kann-like structures can arise after ...d5 or ...cxd4 and ...d5.
  • Rossolimo/Moscow: Sveshnikov/Scheveningen structures without the Open Sicilian piece trades; White eyes d5 and the c-file.
  • Grand Prix/Closed: Kingside pawn storms with f4–f5; Black counters with ...d5 or ...e6–...d5 and queenside play.
  • Smith–Morra: Rapid development with open c- and d-files; White hunts for tactics on e6/f7/c7 and along the a2–g8 diagonal.

Tactical Motifs to Know

• Bxc6 and Nx e5/ Nd5 ideas in Rossolimo/Moscow to exploit loose coordination and dark-square holes.
• e5 thrusts in Alapin/Grand Prix to gain space, dislodge Nf6, and open attacking lines.
• Classic Morra tactics: sacrifices on e6/f7; rook lifts to d3–h3; pressure on the c-file and the c7–e7 complex.
• h4–h5 storms in Closed/Grand Prix setups, sometimes including sacs on h5 or g6 to rip open the king.

Famous Games and Illustrative Examples

Rossolimo Example: Carlsen vs. Caruana, World Chess Championship 2018 (Game 1). Carlsen used the Rossolimo to sidestep Caruana’s deep Open Sicilian preparation and introduced an early pawn sacrifice with 6. b4!?

Ideas to visualize: White’s bishop on b5 interferes with ...Nc6–d4 pressure; the d5 square becomes a long-term outpost; and if Black accepts structural damage (…bxc6), White can target c6 and the c-file.

Alapin Example: A typical central squeeze and development lead.

White claims space with e5 and d4, develops quickly, and keeps a lid on ...d5. Black aims for timely central breaks (...d6–...d5 or ...f6) to free the position.

Smith–Morra Example: Explosive development for a pawn.

White’s rooks and bishops target the open c- and d-files and the sensitive dark squares around Black’s king. If Black neutralizes the initiative and returns the pawn at the right moment, the endgame often favors Black; otherwise, tactical shots abound for White.

Historical Notes and Significance

• Namesakes: The Rossolimo honors Nicolas Rossolimo (1910–1975), while the Alapin is named after Semyon Alapin (1856–1923). The Smith–Morra credits William James Smith and Pierre Morra.
• Top-Level Adoption: Anti-Sicilians moved firmly into the elite repertoire in the late 20th century. Anatoly Karpov frequently used 3. Bb5+ against the Sicilian; in modern times, Magnus Carlsen has repeatedly deployed the Rossolimo in classical and rapid play.
• Practical Impact: World Championship matches have featured Anti-Sicilians as a strategic choice to avoid opponent preparation and to reach more controllable, maneuvering positions.
• Specialists: Sergey Tiviakov has long championed the Alapin with remarkable practical results; GM Marc Esserman popularized modern Smith–Morra ideas in “Mayhem in the Morra.” GM Gawain Jones is a noted expert in the Grand Prix Attack.

How to Play Against Anti-Sicilians (as Black)

• Know your antidotes:
  • Vs Alapin: 2...Nf6 or 2...d5 for early central counterplay.
  • Vs Rossolimo: Solid ...e6–...Nge7 setups or fianchetto lines with ...g6; watch d5 and c6.
  • Vs Moscow: Meet 3. Bb5+ with ...Bd7 or ...Nd7, aiming for quick ...a6 and central breaks.
  • Vs Grand Prix: Strike with ...d5 at a favorable moment; avoid getting smothered on the kingside.
  • Vs Smith–Morra: Choose between accepting (prepared defense) or declining with ...d5/…Nf6 systems.
• Timely ...d5: In many Anti-Sicilians, freeing the position with ...d5 (prepared by ...e6 or ...g6) is the main equalizing plan.
• Don’t drift: Anti-Sicilians are often about small, positional edges and move-order tricks. Precise development and good piece coordination are key.

Transpositions and Move-Order Nuances

• Rossolimo/Moscow lines can transpose depending on whether Black plays ...Nc6 or ...d6 first. Be aware of whether your Bb5 move is with or without check.
• The Alapin can transpose to French/Caro–Kann structures after ...d5; plan accordingly.
• Closed Sicilian and Grand Prix setups overlap: 2. Nc3 can lead to either, depending on whether White plays f4 or g3/Bg2.
• Some Anti-Sicilians can transpose back into Open Sicilian territory if White eventually plays d4 under favorable conditions.

Practical Tips

• White: Choose one Anti-Sicilian that fits your style (e.g., Alapin for structure and space, Rossolimo for pressure and flexibility, Grand Prix for attacks) and learn the core plans and typical endgames.
• Black: Build a compact Anti-Sicilian repertoire emphasizing ...d5 breaks, quick development, and clear piece placement. Study model games by specialists facing your chosen lines.
• Time controls: Anti-Sicilians score well in faster time controls because they reduce theoretical memory load and create practical problems.

Interesting Facts

• The term “Grand Prix Attack” comes from British weekend “Grand Prix” events where the setup was popularized in the 1970s–80s.
• Despite avoiding the Open Sicilian, many Anti-Sicilians are so theoretically developed that they form full-fledged repertoires at the top level.
• In the 2018 World Championship, Carlsen’s Rossolimo with the early 6. b4!? in Game 1 immediately posed fresh, practical questions to Caruana.