Sicilian Defense Nimzowitsch Advance Variation
Sicilian Defense – Nimzowitsch Advance Variation
Definition
The Sicilian Defense, Nimzowitsch Advance Variation arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5. The position is characterised by White’s advanced pawn on e5 which pushes the black knight to d5 at a very early stage. It is a branch of the Nimzowitsch Variation (named after the hyper-modern pioneer Aron Nimzowitsch) within the broader Sicilian Defense family.
Main Move-Order
- e4 c5
- Nf3 Nf6
- e5 Nd5
- Nc3 e6 (or 4…Nxc3 5.dxc3)
- Nxd5 exd5
Other fourth-move options for White include 4.d4, 4.Bc4, and 4.g3, each steering the game into slightly different structures but all retaining the key feature of the advanced e5-pawn.
Strategic Themes
- Space vs. Structure – White enjoys extra central space (pawns on e5 and often d4) but concedes structural targets (doubled d-pawns after …Nxc3, or an isolated d-pawn after …exd4).
- Dark-Square Play – The pawn on e5 cramps Black’s kingside and highlights the d6 and f6 squares. In compensation, Black often exerts pressure on the light squares d4 and e5.
- Flexible King Placement – Because the queens are usually still on the board and the centre is semi-closed, both sides sometimes delay castling. Black can castle queenside after …b6–…Bb7–…0-0-0, whereas White may castle kingside or even leave the king in the centre behind the e5-pawn shield.
- Early Piece Trades – The forcing line 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nxd5 exd5 simplifies rapidly; many games head to a minor-piece endgame where pawn structure is paramount.
Typical Plans
- White
- Support the e5-pawn with d4 and c3, gaining a broad centre.
- Develop the light-squared bishop to d3 or b5, eyeing the h7-square or pinning a knight on c6.
- Advance f-pawn later (f4–f5) to open the kingside.
- If the structure becomes d4 & e5 vs. d5, target the isolated d-pawn in the middlegame/endgame.
- Black
- Strike at the white centre with …d6 or …d5, and occasionally …f6.
- Pressure the e5-pawn with ...Nc6, ...g6, ...Bg7, and …0-0.
- Exchange a pair of knights early to lessen cramped pieces.
- Exploit the half-open c-file with …Rc8 and counter-play on the queenside (…b5).
Historical Notes
Aron Nimzowitsch first introduced 2…Nf6 in Duras – Nimzowitsch, Carlsbad 1911, though the pawn push 3.e5 was rare until the 1980s. Modern grandmasters such as Vladimir Kramnik, Sergey Rublevsky, and Hikaru Nakamura have employed the Advance line as a surprise weapon, appreciating its strategic richness and avoidance of the heavily-analysed Open Sicilian.
Famous Illustrative Game
Rublevsky – Shirov, Wijk aan Zee 2004
The Russian grandmaster demonstrated the positional potency of the
Advance set-up, gradually squeezing Black’s position and converting a
small edge in a rook endgame.
Example Position
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nxd5 exd5 6.d4 Nc6 we reach a typical middlegame:
- White pawns: a2 b2 c2 d4 e5 f2 g2 h2
- Black pawns: a7 b7 c5 d5 e6 f7 g7 h7
- Minor pieces developed: White Bc1, Bf1, Knights on f3, d2; Black Bf8, Bc8, Knights on c6, f6.
Both sides must decide whether to castle short or long, and the struggle revolves around the d4- and d5-pawns.
Interesting Facts
- Because the variation avoids the ultra-theoretical Open Sicilian (3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4), many club players choose it to sidestep reams of theory while still playing 1.e4.
- It has an unexpected connection with the French Advance: after 2…Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 the resulting pawn structure resembles a French Defence where Black has already exchanged the light-squared bishop, solving one of the French’s traditional headaches.
- The line enjoys a decent practical score for White, but modern engines judge the position as roughly equal, mainly because Black’s central pawn mass can become mobile with a timely …d6 or …f6 break.