Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly, Maroczy Bind, Paulsen
Sicilian Defense, O’Kelly Variation
Definition
The O’Kelly Variation is a branch of the Sicilian Defense that begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6. The move …a6 on move two was popularized by the Belgian grandmaster Albéric O’Kelly de Galway (1906-1980). It is a high-class waiting move: Black postpones the choice of central structure, prevents an immediate Bb5+, and keeps open the possibility of transposing into several different Sicilian systems.
Typical Move Order
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6, the most frequent continuations are:
- 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 – a “Najdorf-like” central clamp.
- 3. c3 (aiming for an Alapin) when Black can reply 3…d5 or 3…Nf6.
- 3. c4 (the Réti/O’Kelly hybrid) leading to hedgehog structures.
- 3. Nc3 followed by 3…Nc6 or 3…e6, transposing to Taimanov/Paulsen lines.
Strategic Ideas
- Flexibility: Black keeps every central pawn break (…d5, …e5, or …b5) in reserve.
- Anti-Maróczy Prevention: If White ever plays d4 and c4, Black’s …a6 stops Nb5 ideas and prepares …b5 to undermine the bind.
- Psychological Weapon: Many 1.e4 players have devoted their preparation to Open Sicilian main lines that start with 2…d6 or 2…Nc6. An early …a6 pulls them into lesser-known territory immediately.
Historical Notes
O’Kelly used his pet line repeatedly in the 1950s and 1960s with good results. The variation became fashionable for a while after Bent Larsen adopted it in the 1970 Interzonal (Larsen – Hubner, Palma de Mallorca 1970, 1-0). In modern times it appears as an occasional surprise weapon by elite players such as Vishy Anand, Teimour Radjabov, and Levon Aronian.
Illustrative Mini-Game
In informals and blitz, Black’s flexible setup can lure White into premature aggression (7.Ng5?!) that quickly backfires once Black’s pieces spill onto the central dark squares.
Interesting Facts
- Because 2…a6 “does nothing” in the center, computer engines initially disliked the move. However, modern neural-network engines (e.g., Leela and NNUE Stockfish) rate it respectably once deeper strategic considerations are accounted for.
- Grandmaster Sergei Shipov nicknamed the move “the umbrella” because it shades Black from Bb5+ rainstorms.
- Albéric O’Kelly was not only a grandmaster; he also served as chief arbiter of the Fischer-Spassky 1972 “Match of the Century.”
Maróczy Bind
Definition
The Maróczy (pronounced “MAH-roh-chee”) Bind is a pawn formation, most often arising from the Accelerated Dragon Sicilian, in which White plants pawns on c4 and e4 to clamp down on the critical d5 and b5 squares. It is named after the Hungarian master Géza Maróczy (1870-1951), who used the setup to great effect in the early 20th century.
Typical Origins
The classic route:
- e4 c5
- Nf3 Nc6
- d4 cxd4
- Nxd4 g6
- c4 …
…and the Bind is on the board. It can also crop up from English, King’s Indian, and even Queen’s Indian move orders whenever White achieves pawns on c4 and e4 with Black’s d-pawn still on d6 or d7.
Strategic Themes
- Space Advantage: The c4-e4 duo grabs queenside territory and restricts Black’s minor pieces.
- Control of …d5: With the d5 break stifled, Black’s light-squared bishop and central counterplay are hampered.
- Queenside Expansion: White often builds up slowly with Be3, Rc1, Qd2, f3, Be2, then pushes b3-b4 or a2-a4-a5.
- Static Risk: If Black manages …b5 or …d5 under favorable circumstances, the bind can crack and White may be left with backward d- and c-pawns.
Plans for Both Sides
- White
- Clamp down on …d5 and …b5 for as long as possible.
- Exchange Black’s dark-squared bishop (e.g., with Be3 and Bh6).
- Launch a kingside pawn storm if Black castles short.
- Black
- Prepare …b5 with …a6, …Rb8, and …Nd4.
- Play for …d5 after …Nxd4 exchanges or when c4 is undermined.
- Sometimes fianchetto both bishops (…Bg7 and …b6–Bb7) aiming at dark-square pressure.
Historic & Modern Examples
One of the most celebrated demonstrations is Kasparov – Anand, PCA World Championship (Game 10), New York 1995. Kasparov used the Maróczy to slowly strangle Black before unleashing a breakthrough on the kingside.
Modern grandmasters such as Fabiano Caruana and Anish Giri routinely adopt the Bind to play for two results with minimal risk.
Illustrative Position
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 0-0, White stands slightly better thanks to extra space and the looming threat of 8.Be2 followed by 9.0-0 and 10.f4.
Interesting Tidbits
- Garry Kasparov once quipped that the Maróczy Bind is “the boa-constrictor of the Sicilian—slow, silent, and deadly.”
- Although named after Maróczy, the first recorded use of the structure occurred in Schlechter – Tarrasch, Leipzig 1894.
- In bullet chess, some players sarcastically call it “the Snoozefest” because many games drift into long maneuvering battles before anything tactical explodes.
Sicilian Defense, Paulsen (or Taimanov-Paulsen) Variation
Definition
The Paulsen Variation is a flexible system of the Sicilian characterized by the moves …e6 and …a6 (sometimes …Nc6) without an early …d6. A prototypical sequence is 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6. Louis Paulsen (1833-1891), one of the 19th-century pioneers of defensive, prophylactic chess, introduced the idea of delaying piece development in favor of a resilient pawn structure. Mark Taimanov later refined the variation, which is why modern databases label many lines “Taimanov/Paulsen.”
Key Move Orders
There are two main setups that fall under the Paulsen umbrella:
- Pure Paulsen – 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 with Black intending …Qc7, …Nf6, …d6 or …Nge7, and a Hedgehog-style development.
- Taimanov move order – 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6 followed by …Qc7 and …a6. Transpositions back and forth are common.
Strategic Concepts
- Central Elasticity: Because the d-pawn remains on d7, Black can choose between …d5 (central counterblow) or …d6 (solid restraint) later.
- Pressure on the c-file: The queen routinely occupies c7, rook comes to c8, and knights or bishops target c4 if White ever advances that pawn.
- Minor-Piece Placement: Black’s light-squared bishop often fianchettos to b7 after …b5; alternatively it sits on e7 for solid coverage.
- Weakness of d6 Square: One downside is that the d6 square can become a jumping point for a white knight via Bf4 or Nb5 themes.
Typical Plans
- White aims for rapid development and central control:
- Open Sicilian setups with Be3, Qd2, and long-side castling (English Attack adapted to Paulsen).
- Fischer-Sozin lines featuring Bc4 to target f7.
- Black chooses between:
- …Nf6 and …Bb4 to put direct pressure on e4 and c3.
- …d5 break (the “Scheveningen-plus”) if White allows.
- Hedgehog structures with pawns on a6, b6, d6, e6—ultra-solid yet full of latent energy.
Classic Example
Taimanov – Karpov, Moscow 1971: Karpov employed the Hedgehog-style Paulsen, gradually equalized, and eventually out-maneuvered the great theoretician in a knight-and-pawn ending.
Modern Reference Game
The PGN above (Caruana – Giri, Wijk aan Zee 2020) shows how dynamically both sides can handle the Paulsen structure. Black’s 17…b5! struck back on the wing just as White seemed ready to overrun the center.
Interesting Facts
- Louis Paulsen was one of the first masters to use time management as a weapon—he routinely played extremely slowly to put opponents into what we would today call “time trouble.”
- Because the Paulsen keeps options open, it is a favorite of repertoire authors trying to give club players a single, coherent system against 1.e4.
- During the 2016 Candidates Tournament, Sergey Karjakin unveiled a deep Paulsen novelty against Anand (15…Rg8!!) and eventually won—paving the way for his match versus Magnus Carlsen later that year.