Rossolimo Attack - Anti-Sicilian

Rossolimo Attack

Definition

The Rossolimo Attack is an Anti-Sicilian system that arises after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. Instead of entering Open Sicilian main lines with 3. d4, White immediately develops the bishop to b5, aiming to inflict structural damage on Black (often by Bxc6) and to control the critical d5 and e5 squares. It is named after Nicolas Rossolimo (1910–1975), a French–American grandmaster who popularized the idea.

How It’s Used in Chess

The Rossolimo is a practical weapon to sidestep the heavy theory of the Sveshnikov and other 2...Nc6 Sicilian branches. White often chooses between:

Immediate structural damage with Bxc6, leading to doubled c-pawns for Black.
Maintaining the pin and pressure, building with d3, O-O, Re1 and sometimes c3–d4 or b2–b4 expansion.

Black typically responds with ...g6 (Dragon/Hyper-Accelerated setups), ...e6 (Scheveningen-like), ...a6 to ask the bishop, or flexible moves like ...Nf6, ...Qc7, or ...Qb6. The related 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ is the Moscow Variation, while “Rossolimo” strictly refers to 2...Nc6 3. Bb5.

Strategic Significance

The hallmark structure arises after Bxc6 dxc6, giving Black doubled c-pawns and long-term targets on c6/c5 while ceding White firm control over d5. White’s plans involve restraining ...d5 and playing for queenside or kingside expansion. Black seeks dynamic counterplay—either by timely ...e5/...d5 breaks, or by leveraging the bishop on g7 in ...g6 lines.

Typical Move Orders

Core entry: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. Common continuations include:

3...g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1
3...e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 a6 6. Bf1 d5 (or ...d6) with Scheveningen flavors
3...a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Qc7 6. d3 e5 setups
3...Nf6 4. Nc3 or 4. Qe2, keeping options to castle, play c3–d4, or Bxc6

Sample illustrative line:

Typical Plans for White

White’s plans depend on whether the bishop exchanges on c6 early or is preserved:

Structural pressure: Bxc6 followed by d3, O-O, Re1, Nbd2–c4, Be3, Qd2; press on c5/c6, control d5, and consider b2–b4 or f2–f4 to gain space.
Slow build: Keep Bb5, play c3–d4 at the right moment, or opt for a queenside expansion with a2–a4, b2–b4.
Kingside play in ...g6 setups: Be3, Qd2, Bh6 to trade the fianchetto bishop, then f2–f4–f5 ideas.

Typical Plans for Black

Black seeks dynamic counterplay and harmonious piece placement:

Against Bxc6: Develop with ...g6, ...Bg7, ...Nd7–f8–e6 (or ...Ne8–c7–e6), and timely ...e5 or ...d5 to free the position.
Against slow setups: ...a6 to question the bishop; ...Qc7, ...Nf6, ...O-O; prepare ...e5 or ...d5 breaks; on the queenside consider ...b6, ...a5, ...Rb8, ...f6 to challenge White’s center.
Putting pressure on e4 after ...Nf6 and ...Qb6 or ...Qc7, sometimes using ...Nd4 tactics if permitted.

Common Variations

The Rossolimo branches into several well-established setups:

3...g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6: Main structural line. White often goes d3, O-O, Re1, Nbd2, a3, b4; Black aims for ...e5 and kingside development.
3...e6: Scheveningen-style. After 4. O-O Nge7 5. Re1 a6 6. Bf1, play can transpose to solid ...d6 or more active ...d5 plans.
3...a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6: Directly asking the bishop. Black accepts doubled c-pawns but gains the bishop pair and the b-file.
“Gambit” idea: 3...g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5 6. b4!? sacrificing a pawn to accelerate play (famously used by Carlsen vs. Nepomniachtchi, 2021).

Examples

Two instructive early-move snapshots:

Carlsen vs. Caruana, World Championship 2018 (Game 1): 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. O-O. White adopts a long-term squeeze versus Black’s doubled c-pawns.
Carlsen vs. Nepomniachtchi, World Championship 2021 (Game 1): 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. Re1 e5 6. b4!? introducing a dynamic pawn sacrifice to seize space and initiative.

Common Traps and Tactical Motifs

While outright traps are rarer at top level, several recurring ideas matter:

Bxc6 followed by Nxe5 tactics: If Black neglects e5 control in ...g6 lines, White can sometimes exploit the pin on the c6-knight to win a central pawn.
...Nd4 shots: In lines with Bb5 and Nc3, Black may hit with ...Nd4, forking pieces or provoking structural concessions; White must be ready with Nxd4 cxd4 and accurate replies.
Bh6 to trade the g7-bishop: Weakens dark squares around Black’s king, often enabling f2–f4–f5 thrusts.
Queenside clamps: a3–b4 gaining space; if Black answers with ...a5, the b5 square can become a powerful outpost for a knight.

Historical Notes and Significance

Nicolas Rossolimo employed 3. Bb5 as an early Anti-Sicilian concept to avoid the minefields of Open Sicilians. The line has been championed by elite players—including Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana (as Black), Viswanathan Anand, Hikaru Nakamura, Ding Liren, and Ian Nepomniachtchi. Its presence in World Championship matches (2018, 2021) underscores its enduring theoretical and practical value.

Illustrative Position and Plans

After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. O-O O-O, the pawn structure features Black’s doubled c-pawns on c6/c5. White typically plays Re1, Be3, Nbd2, Qe2/Qd2, and b2–b4 or f2–f4. Black aims for ...e5, ...Nd7–f8–e6, and possible ...b6–...a5–...Ra7–...Rd7 maneuvering to untangle and prepare ...d5.

Move-Order Nuances and Transpositions

The Rossolimo can transpose to related Anti-Sicilians:

2...d6 instead of 2...Nc6 leads to the Moscow Variation with 3. Bb5+.
Delaying Bxc6 keeps options for c3–d4, transposing to structures reminiscent of the Closed Sicilian or Ruy Lopez-style maneuvering (without queenside castling risk).
3...e6 lines can drift into Scheveningen setups if White plays d3 and c3, with a later d4 break.

Notable Games

A few landmark examples to study:

Carlsen vs. Caruana, World Championship 2018 (Game 1): Model technical pressure against doubled c-pawns.
Carlsen vs. Nepomniachtchi, World Championship 2021 (Game 1): The 6. b4!? pawn sacrifice idea in a Rossolimo framework.
Nakamura’s Rossolimo practice in elite events: frequent modern benchmarks for dynamic Anti-Sicilian play.

Practical Tips

How to get the most from the Rossolimo:

Know the plans, not just moves: after Bxc6, aim for long-term pressure on c-pawns and d5; without Bxc6, coordinate for c3–d4 or kingside play with f2–f4.
Time your Bxc6: capturing too soon can help Black’s development; waiting can increase the value of structural damage.
Against ...g6, prioritize dark-square control (e5, f6) and consider Bh6 ideas; against ...e6, be ready for central pawn breaks ...d5 or ...e5.
As Black, don’t fear the structure: accurate ...e5 or ...d5 frees the game; coordinate knights via d7–f8–e6 or c7–e6 to contest d4/d5.

Interesting Facts

Rossolimo was also a noted tactician and a colorful personality who ran a famed chess café in New York’s Greenwich Village. The opening’s modern renaissance owes much to World Championship-level adoption, where its blend of solidity and venom makes it a trusted surprise weapon against 2...Nc6 Sicilians.

Rossolimo Attack - Anti-Sicilian