Sicilian Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack
Sicilian Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack
Definition
The Sicilian Canal-Sokolsky Attack—more commonly called the Rossolimo Attack—is a variation of the Sicilian Defence that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. White immediately develops the bishop to b5, putting indirect pressure on the c6-knight and introducing the positional threat of doubling Black’s c-pawns with Bxc6. The line is named after three early specialists:
- José Raúl Capablanca’s second, the Italian-Argentine master Carlos Canal
- The Ukrainian theoretician Aleksandr Sokolsky
- The French-American grandmaster and artist Nicolas Rossolimo, whose successes and writings popularised the system
Typical Usage & Plans
The Rossolimo is especially popular when White wants:
- To avoid the massive theory of the Open Sicilian (3.d4).
- To steer the game toward positional pressure rather than sharp pawn-storms.
- To preserve flexibility: White can choose between quiet setups (d3, c3, Qe2) or more dynamic central breaks (d4 in one go, or f4).
Main Branches
- 3…g6 – the Modern/Rossolimo Dragon
- 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 with a solid Maróczy-style grip.
- Black aims for …e5 or …f5; White often plays Be3, Qd2, 0-0-0.
- 3…e6 – the Pure Rossolimo
- 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Ne7 followed by …Ng6 and …e5.
- If 4.0-0, White can preserve the bishop and later exchange on c6 under more favourable circumstances.
- 3…d6 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 – Canal Variation
- Leads to an imbalanced structure with Black’s pawns doubled yet strong in the centre.
Strategic Themes
- Pawn Structure: The exchange on c6 often yields doubled pawns (c-file) for Black. White hopes to leave these immobile and target them later.
- Dark-Square Control: By removing the knight, White can dominate the d5-square and discourage Black’s …d5 break.
- Piece Activity vs. Pawn Weaknesses: Black usually obtains the bishop pair and central space as compensation for the pawn structure. Dynamic play is essential.
Historical Significance
The line dates back to the 1890s, but it gained serious theoretical status after Rossolimo used it to defeat elite contemporaries such as Najdorf and Fine in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 21st century the attack is a staple at top level—employed by Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Levon Aronian, and Judit Polgár. Its revival is partly due to the search for systems that avoid the heavily computer-analysed Najdorf and Sveshnikov Sicilians.
Illustrative Games
- Carlsen vs. Anand, World Championship 2014 (Game 2) – Carlsen used 3.Bb5 to neutralise Anand’s preparation, steering the game into a strategic middlegame and eventually winning.
- Caruana vs. Carlsen, London 2012 – Demonstrates the quiet line 4.0-0, where White kept the tension and won in a long endgame, highlighting structural weakness on c6.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Rossolimo often greeted opponents at New York’s “Chess & Checkers Club” with the phrase “Draw?” before unleashing this very opening against them.
- IM Carlos Canal published early analyses in Spanish, calling 3.Bb5 “la anti-Najdorf” decades before the Najdorf was fully fashionable.
- The line has been tried against computers as an “anti-engine” system because it limits sharp, forcing continuations and keeps the position strategically rich.
Practical Tips
- Do not rush Bxc6; sometimes retreating to a4 or c4 preserves the bishop and maintains the pin.
- After exchanging on c6, meet …d5 with d3xd4 ideas to open lines against the weakened c-pawns.
- Black players should remember that the bishop pair is powerful: aim for timely breaks …d5 or …f5 to free the position.
Summary
The Sicilian Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack is a flexible, strategically rich anti-Sicilian weapon. By exchanging (or threatening to exchange) on c6, White imposes structural defects and fights for dark-square supremacy, while Black seeks dynamic counterplay with the bishop pair and central pawn breaks. Its enduring popularity from Rossolimo’s era to modern world-championship matches underscores its practical value and theoretical depth.