Sicilian Defense: Taimanov, Bastrikov & English Attack
Sicilian Defense
Definition
The Sicilian Defense is the family of openings that begins with the moves 1.e4 c5. Black immediately challenges the center from the flank with the c-pawn instead of mirroring 1…e5. The result is an asymmetrical pawn structure that often leads to rich, tactical middlegames in which both sides play for the initiative.
Typical Move-Order and Main Branches
- 1.e4 c5
- 2.Nf3 (or 2.Nc3, 2.c3, 2.d4, etc.) …
After 2.Nf3, Black’s most common replies (in their broad ECO groupings) are:
- 2…d6 – Najdorf, Scheveningen, Dragon families
- 2…Nc6 – Classical, Sveshnikov, Kalashnikov, Bastrikov
- 2…e6 – Taimanov, Kan, Paulsen
- 2…g6 – Hyper-Accelerated Dragon
Strategic Themes
- Unbalanced pawn structure: White usually gets an extra central pawn (e-pawn) while Black keeps the half-open c-file for counterplay.
- Opposite-side attacks frequently arise, especially in lines where White castles long (e.g., English Attack) and Black keeps the king on g8.
- Black often plays …d6 or …e6 and later …d5 to strike back in the center.
Historical Significance
The Sicilian first appeared in the 16th-century manuscripts of Giulio Polerio, but it gained real prominence in the 20th century thanks to champions such as Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov, who used it as a main weapon with Black. Today it is the most popular reply to 1.e4 from club level to elite tournaments.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Below is a famous attacking example that shows the dynamism of the opening:
(Tal – Smyslov, USSR Ch. 1959, full game shortened here for space.)
Interesting Facts
- The name comes from the Italian city of Sicily, whose 18th-century players helped popularize 1…c5.
- More than a quarter of all decisive classical games beginning 1.e4 at master level feature the Sicilian.
Taimanov Variation
Definition
The Taimanov Variation is a flexible system in the Sicilian beginning with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6. Named after Soviet grandmaster and concert pianist Mark Taimanov, it features an early …Nc6 without committing the king’s-side knight or the d-pawn.
Key Ideas
- Piece Development First: Black postpones …d6 or …d5, waiting to see White’s setup.
- Hedgehog Potential: After …a6, …Qc7, …b6 and …Bb7, Black can adopt a flexible Hedgehog structure.
- Central Counter: …d5 often arrives in one go, equalizing if timed correctly.
Main Line Example
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8. O-O-O Bb4
Here Black aims for rapid queenside play with …b5 and pressure along the c-file.
Historical & Modern Usage
Taimanov himself used the line against world-class opposition in the 1950s–70s. In the computer era, the variation has enjoyed a renaissance because engines confirm its dynamic equality. Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri and Fabiano Caruana all keep it in their repertoires.
Illustrative Game
Kasparov employed the variation with Black to beat Nigel Short in Linares 1992:
(Kasparov – Short, Linares 1992, Black eventually converted the extra pawn.)
Fun Anecdote
During a post-game press conference, Taimanov once joked that he preferred openings that “sound like music,” and that the harmonious placement of pieces in his variation reminded him of a well-composed sonata.
Bastrikov Variation
Definition
The Bastrikov Variation (ECO B55) is a branch of the Classical Sicilian: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be2 e5. It is named after the Russian master Oleg Bastrikov, who analyzed it extensively in the mid-20th century.
Strategic Features
- Space Grab: Black’s 6…e5 pushes the knight from d4 but concedes the d5 square.
- Solid but Dynamic: The pawn chain d6-e5 discourages White’s typical f2-f4 thrust, while Black eyes the kingside with …Be6, …Be7 and possibly …d5.
- Outpost Battle: White often plants a knight on d5; Black counters with …Be6, …Rc8 and piece exchanges.
Main Line Snapshot
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Bg5 Be6
The resulting positions resemble the Scheveningen but with the knight already on c6.
Historical Notes
While less popular than the Najdorf or Scheveningen, the Bastrikov enjoyed a cult following in the USSR. Anatoly Karpov used it sporadically in his youth, and more recently it has appeared in rapid games by players such as Alexander Grischuk, who appreciates its surprise value.
Model Game
(Grischuk – Morozevich, Russian Ch. Rapid 2019 – Black’s pawn storm backfired.)
Interesting Tidbits
- The move 6…e5 breaks one of Nimzowitsch’s classical principles (“Do not move the same pawn twice in the opening”), yet modern engines assess the position as fully playable.
- Because many Najdorf players fear 6.Bg5, they occasionally use the Bastrikov move-order to sidestep it.
English Attack
Definition
The English Attack is an aggressive setup employed by White against several Sicilian systems, most famously the Najdorf. The hallmark moves are Be3, f3, Qd2 and long castling, aiming for a rapid pawn storm with g4-g5 against Black’s king.
Canonical Move-Order vs. Najdorf
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f3 b5 8. Qd2 Nbd7 9. O-O-O
White’s plan: g4, h4, g5. Black counters on the queenside with …b4, …a5, …Bb7 and central breaks.
Strategic Essence
- Opposite-Side Castling: Races are common; every tempo matters.
- Pawn Storm vs. Counter-Strike: White throws kingside pawns; Black pushes a6-b5-b4 and hits the c-file.
- Flexible Transpositions: The same setup works against the Scheveningen (…e6 without …a6) and sometimes the Pirc.
Historical Development
Coined “English Attack” because English grandmasters John Nunn, Nigel Short and Murray Chandler popularized it in the 1980s. It later became the primary battleground of the Kasparov–Anand PCA World Championship match (1995), cementing its elite status.
Classic Encounter
Anand’s spectacular win demonstrates typical themes:
(Anand – Beliavsky, Wijk aan Zee 1993)
Practical Tips
- White should not delay g4; every tempo helps the pawn storm.
- Black often meets g4 with …h6 or …b4; understanding which pawn race you prefer is key.
- Endgame Awareness: Even if queens come off, White’s advanced kingside pawns can still be dangerous.
Fun Fact
The English Attack became so fashionable in the 2000s that databases recorded more than 30,000 master games with the line between 2000-2010—roughly one every three hours!