Lasker-Pelikan Variation

Definition

The Lasker-Pelikan Variation is a major branch of the Sicilian Defense arising after the moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5. In modern literature it is most widely known as the Sveshnikov Variation, reflecting the deep theoretical work of Evgeny Sveshnikov from the 1970s onward. The name “Lasker-Pelikan” credits Emanuel Lasker, who experimented with the idea early in the 20th century, and Jiří Pelikán (later active in Argentina), who analyzed and played it extensively mid-century.

How it is used in chess

Black immediately challenges White’s central presence with ...e5, hitting the d4-knight and staking space. In exchange for this activity, Black accepts strategic concessions: a backward d6-pawn and a permanent hole on d5. The variation is a quintessential “dynamic imbalance” opening—Black gets rapid piece play, queenside expansion, and kingside counterplay (notably with ...f5), while White aims to exploit the d5 outpost, press the d6-pawn, and often maneuver patiently for structural gains.

Move order and key position

A standard move order is: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5. The position after 5...e5 6.Ndb5 d6 is emblematic: Black has pushed ...e5 early, creating the d5 square as a long-term white outpost but gaining time and space.

Key tabiya (one popular path to the main line):

Strategic ideas

For White:
- Install a knight on d5—often a long-term, nearly untouchable outpost.
- Target the backward d6-pawn with pieces and sometimes c2–c4 or a2–a4 undermining the queenside.
- Exchange on f6 at the right moment (Bxf6) to distort Black’s structure, then aim for pressure on the light squares and the e4–d5 complex.
For Black:
- Rapid queenside expansion with ...a6 and ...b5, often ...Be6, ...Rb8, and ...b4 to harass the c3-knight.
- Kingside counterplay with ...f5 and central activity; sometimes thematic pawn storms despite structural defects.
- Use piece pressure to neutralize the d5 outpost, often maneuvering ...Ne7–g6, ...Be6, and timely exchanges.

Typical plans and piece placement

White: Nd5 outpost; Be2 or Bd3; 0-0; c2–c4 and a2–a4 to challenge ...b5; sometimes c2–c3 with Qd2 and Rd1 to pile on d6.
Black: ...a6–b5–b4; ...Be6; ...Rb8; ...Ne7 to cover d5; ...Be7 and short castling; ...f5 to seize kingside space and open files.
Endgames: White often has a superior structure and outpost; Black aims to keep piece activity and avoid passive defenses.

Critical lines and theory snapshot

Main line with 7. Bg5:
- 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5. Black typically answers with ...Be7, then ...Nxd5 or ...Be6 and ...0-0, preparing ...Rb8 and ...b4. After 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3, positions are rich and very theoretical.
The 7. Nd5 alternative:
- 6...d6 7. Nd5 directly occupies the outpost. Lines such as 7...Nxd5 8. exd5 Ne7 lead to structures where Black aims for ...g6 and ...Bg7. This is less common than 7. Bg5 but quite playable.
Anti-Sveshnikov tries:
- 7. a4, 7. Be2, or 7. Bc4 are practical options designed to avoid the heaviest theory while keeping pressure on d6 and light squares.
Move-order nuance (Kalashnikov vs. Lasker-Pelikan/Sveshnikov):
- If Black plays 4...e5 immediately (without ...Nf6), we reach the Kalashnikov_Variation. With ...Nf6 included first, 5...e5 specifically defines the Lasker-Pelikan/Sveshnikov setup and allows White’s 6. Ndb5 resource.

Common tactics and pitfalls

The “greedy ...Nxe4?” motif: After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5, the careless 9...Nxe4? can backfire due to tactical pins and the vulnerable d8-queen. A typical punishment is to exploit Bxd8 ideas, forcing the black king to recapture and leaving Black with a shattered position and lagging development.
Light-square awareness: If Black overexpands with ...b4 and ...f5 without coordination, White’s Nd5 and pressure on e4/d6 can create multiple tactical themes on the light squares.

Historical notes and significance

Emanuel Lasker dabbled with ...e5 in the Sicilian in the early 1900s, and Jiří Pelikán analyzed and employed it systematically in the mid-20th century. The line’s modern renaissance is credited to Evgeny Sveshnikov (with contributions by Gennadi Timoshchenko), who championed it in the 1970s and proved that Black’s structural concessions could be fully compensated by dynamic play. At the very highest level, it became a staple of World Championship preparation; Magnus Carlsen used it repeatedly against Fabiano Caruana in the 2018 World Chess Championship, showcasing its resilience in the engine era.

Famous examples

Carlsen vs. Caruana, World Chess Championship, 2018: Multiple games featured the Sveshnikov (Lasker-Pelikan) with the main line 7. Bg5. A representative starting sequence:
Classic Sveshnikov-era battles (1970s–1980s) by Evgeny Sveshnikov and his contemporaries established many theoretical cornerstones that are still referenced today.

Illustrative main-line sample

A typical line showing the core themes:

Here Black has gained space and activity (...a6–b5, ...Be6, ...Rb8), while White has the d5-outpost and targets in the d6 structure. Both sides maneuver heavily before tactical operations begin.

Practical tips

For Black: Know your structures and move orders. Play energetically—...Be6, ...Rb8, ...b4, and the timely ...f5 are thematic. Don’t drift into passive defenses of d6.
For White: Secure Nd5 and keep the position controlled. Exchanges like Bxf6 at the right moment can inflict long-term weaknesses. Use a2–a4/c2–c4 ideas to chip at Black’s queenside.
Theory heavy: This variation rewards preparation. Even simplified positions retain imbalances you can play for.

Interesting facts

One of the rare elite openings where Black willingly weakens a key square (d5) on move five, yet achieves full dynamic equality with best play.
Carlsen’s 2018 match use sparked a surge of interest among all time controls, rebranding the line in many players’ minds as the “Sveshnikov” despite its earlier Lasker-Pelikan roots.

Lasker-Pelikan Variation