Sicilian Defense: Taimanov–Bastrikov Variation
Sicilian Defense, Taimanov–Bastrikov Variation
Definition
The Taimanov–Bastrikov line is a branch of the Sicilian Defense that arises after the moves:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Be2 d6
• Moves 1-5 are common to the Taimanov system (…e6 and …Nc6 without an early …d6).
• The additional choices 6…Nf6 and …d6 steer the game into the Bastrikov subset, characterised by a Scheveningen-style pawn structure but with the queen still on d8 instead of the usual Taimanov square c7.
How It Is Used in Play
- Black’s idea: Delay …Qc7 to retain flexibility and avoid early tempo-gaining attacks (for example, Nb5), while still enjoying the dynamic Sicilian half-open c-file.
- White’s options:
- 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3 0-0 9. f4 – the English Attack set-up (f3/f4, g4, Qf3).
- 7. Bg5 – pinning the f6-knight and keeping the possibility of queenside castling.
- 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. e5 – liquidating Black’s strong knight and grabbing space.
- Typical middlegame themes:
- Scheveningen pawn structure (…e6 and …d6) leads to central tension with pawn breaks …d5 or …e5.
- Minor-piece battles on d5 and e4 squares; Black often reroutes the c6-knight via e5 or b4.
- Opposite-wing attacks: White pushes g4–g5; Black counters with …b5–b4 against White’s c3-knight.
Strategic and Historical Significance
• The line marries two great Soviet theoreticians: GM Mark Taimanov (who popularised …Qc7 systems in the 1960s) and IM Alexey Bastrikov (whose analyses in the 1970s showed that omitting …Qc7 could sidestep preparation).
• In modern databases the Bastrikov scores slightly above average for Black because of its practical surprise value; engines evaluate early equality but the struggle is rich in imbalance and out-of-book positions.
• Many top grandmasters—including Garry Kasparov, Vishy Anand, and Magnus Carlsen—have used it as an occasional weapon to avoid the theoretical minefields of the Najdorf and classical Scheveningen.
Illustrative Game
Bareev vs. Kasparov, Linares 1994 — a textbook illustration of Black’s counter-play on the queenside:
Theory Snapshot (2024)
Main branches after 7. O-O:
- 7…Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. f4
- 9…Qc7 – aiming for …Bd7 and …b5.
- 9…e5 – immediate central confrontation; leads to sharp play once the centre opens.
- 7…Be7 8. f4 (chronologically reversed)
- 8…O-O 9. Kh1 Qc7 10. Be3 Re8 – a flexible waiting set-up.
Practical Tips
- Against club-level preparation it is common to play 5…Nf6 and 6…Bb4+ (instead of 6…d6) to force White into less familiar territory.
- Remember the prophylactic move …h6 before committing the dark-squared bishop; otherwise lines with Bg5 can become tactically dangerous.
- Do not delay queenside counterplay too long—moves like …b5 and …Bb7 often need to precede …d5 in order to free Black’s game.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Mark Taimanov was also a world-class concert pianist; he once joked that while his piano had 88 keys, the Taimanov Sicilian had “88,000 possibilities after move five.”
- The variation’s double name occasionally causes confusion in databases; you may find the same game filed under “Sicilian Scheveningen,” “Sicilian Taimanov,” or “Sicilian Bastrikov.” All are correct—just different naming conventions.
- In rapid and blitz the line is especially popular because Black can play the first 10 moves almost on autopilot, saving precious seconds on the clock.
Further Study
• Investigate recent games by GM Daniil Dubov, who uses the Bastrikov as a surprise weapon.
• Engine-checked novelties around the move order 7. Bg5 h6 8. Be3 d5!? are under active research in 2024.