Paulsen: Definition & Paulsen Variation

Paulsen

Definition

In chess writing the single word “Paulsen” is a convenient shorthand for two different but intertwined ideas:

• Louis Paulsen (1833-1891) – a German-American master who was among the world’s strongest players in the mid-19th century and an early pioneer of opening theory and positional play.
• The Paulsen Variation of the Sicilian Defence – the set-up …e6, …a6, …Qc7 and often …Nf6, …d6 against 1. e4. Modern theory usually calls it the Kan, but older books, databases and many grandmasters still say “Paulsen.”

Usage in Conversation & Writing

• “I play the Paulsen against 1. e4” almost always means the Sicilian structure, not that the speaker idolises Louis Paulsen.
• “A classical Paulsen idea” refers to the restrained, flexible handling of the Sicilian centre that Louis Paulsen introduced.
• Annotators sometimes credit “Paulsen’s pawn structure” (…e6/…a6/…c5) even when it arises from different move orders such as the Taimanov or Hedgehog.

Historical Background

Louis Paulsen believed that carefully preparing pawn breaks was superior to the all-out assaults typical of the Morphy era. In the 1850s he began meeting 1. e4 with 1…e6 followed by an early …c5, or directly with 1…c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6. These games laid the foundations of the contemporary Sicilian repertoire in which Black concedes space temporarily but keeps a rock-solid structure and rapid queen-side counterplay.

Main Line Move-Order

After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 white usually continues 5. Nc3, when Black has:

• 5…Qc7 – “pure” Paulsen/Kan
• 5…d6 then …Nf6 – transposing to Scheveningen-style middlegames
• 5…b5!? – the aggressive Modern Paulsen

Note how …e6 and …a6 restrict the white pieces, keep the c- and d-pawns mobile, and delay commitment of the king’s knight: the essence of the Paulsen philosophy “keep options open.”

Strategic Themes

• Flexibility – Black can choose between …d6 and …d5 depending on White’s set-up.
• Control of d5 – Black strives to ensure the …d5 break is either playable or permanently denied to White.
• Minor-Piece Development – The queen often sits on c7, the dark-squared bishop can emerge to b4, c5 or e7, and the knight from g8 may head to e7 instead of f6.
• Endgame Readiness – Owing to the sound pawn structure, trades rarely harm Black; Louis Paulsen used this to out-calculate tacticians of his day.

Illustrative Mini-Example

The thematic tactic 12…d5! freeing Black’s game:

Black’s restrained opening suddenly releases central tension and equalises.

Famous Games Featuring the Paulsen

1. Louis Paulsen – Paul Morphy, New York 1857 – The inventor defeats the era’s superstar with his new variation; Morphy called it “uncomfortably solid.”
2. Geller – Fischer, Candidates 1962 – Fischer uses the Paulsen move-order to dodge Geller’s Najdorf preparation but is eventually out-played, illustrating the line’s strategic richness.
3. Anand – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2006 – Black’s well-timed …d5 break demonstrates modern dynamic possibilities; Topalov equalised effortlessly and later won.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Louis Paulsen was so noted for deep thought that tournament organisers introduced chess clocks partly to curb the extreme time he consumed (London 1862).
• Some databases differentiate between “Kan” (…Qc7 before …Nf6) and “Paulsen” (…Nf6 first). In practice grandmasters use the names interchangeably.
• Grandmaster Sergei Tiviakov famously built an unbeaten streak of 110 classical games (2004-2005) with Black often replying to 1. e4 by “my trusty Paulsen.”
• Modern engines give the Paulsen an excellent statistical profile: [[Chart|Rating|Classical|2000-2023]].

Why Study the Paulsen?

For players who want to meet 1. e4 with the Sicilian yet avoid the razor-sharp Najdorf or Dragon, the Paulsen offers:

• A solid but still fighting position.
• Low theory density compared with the Najdorf – many moves are positional rather than forced.
• Rich transpositional possibilities that allow you to out-prepare opponents who only know one move order.

Quick Reference Summary

• Named For: Louis Paulsen (1833-1891).
• Main Opening: Sicilian Defence, Paulsen/Kan, ECO codes B41-B49.
• Key Moves: …e6, …a6, …Qc7 holding back …d6/…d5.
• Core Idea: Flexibility, delayed central clash, structural soundness.