Sicilian Defense Westerinen Attack
Sicilian Defense – Westerinen Attack
Definition
The Westerinen Attack is an off-beat but fully playable sideline of the Sicilian Defense that begins with the moves 1. e4 c5 2. a3 !?. Named after the inventive Finnish Grandmaster Heikki Westerinen, the idea is to avoid mainstream Sicilian theory, prepare an eventual b2–b4 advance (a “delayed Wing Gambit”), and develop on one’s own terms. Because it appears after the very first reply to 1.e4, all ECO codes that start with B20 (Sicilian lines before 2.Nf3) can transpose into it.
How it is used in play
After 2.a3 White keeps the central pawn structure flexible and asks Black to reveal his intentions. Three of the most common continuations are:
- 2…d5 – Striking in the center immediately. Play can continue 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nc3 when Black must decide where to place the queen.
- 2…Nc6 – Developing naturally. White often follows up with 3.b4 (sacrificing a pawn for rapid queenside space) or 3.Nf3 g6 4.b4.
- 2…e6 / 2…g6 – Transposing to Scheveningen or Dragon setups, but without the usual theory because the pawn on a3 changes many piece placements.
Typical middlegame plans for White include:
- Playing b2–b4 to gain space; sometimes sacrificing the b-pawn for piece activity.
- Quickly castling kingside and pressuring the half-open b- or c-files with Rb1 and Qc2.
- Using the pawn on a3 to support a later c4 advance, blunting a black bishop on g7.
Strategic Significance
Because 2.a3 neither occupies the center nor develops a piece, it is, in classical terms, a “loss of tempo.” However, modern praxis recognises that:
- Tempi are relative; if the position remains flexible and theoretical landmines are avoided, the lost move can be justified by steering the opponent into unfamiliar territory.
- The move limits …Bb4 ideas, takes the b4 square from a knight, and sets up queenside expansion reminiscent of the Wing Gambit, but more cautiously.
Historical Notes
Heikki Westerinen employed 2.a3 multiple times in the early 1970s, scoring surprise victories against well-prepared opponents. The line’s novelty value was highest before digital databases; today it is still used as a practical weapon, especially in rapid and blitz where surprise is at a premium.
Illustrative Example
The miniature below shows how quickly things can go wrong for an unprepared Black player:
Black already has multiple weaknesses: the backward d-pawn, a potentially loose b7 pawn, and a nervous king on g8. White’s pieces are harmoniously placed, highlighting the latent bite of the seemingly innocuous 2.a3.
Typical Continuations
Here is one of the main theoretical branches:
1. e4 c5 2. a3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qd8 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 a6 8. Bc4
White enjoys easy development and chances to expand on the queenside with b4. Black, meanwhile, must decide between …e5 (transposing to a Sicilian Taimanov structure) or …e6 (heading toward Scheveningen setups). Both offer full play but require independent handling.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- GM Westerinen once joked that 2.a3 is “the gentleman’s way to ask Black
which Sicilian would you like to play?
” - Because the move order can transpose into a delayed Wing Gambit, some databases cross-reference it under both names. Purists, however, point out that in the true Wing Gambit the pawn sacrifice comes immediately with 2.b4.
- Top blitz specialists such as GM Hikaru Nakamura have dabbled with the Westerinen Attack online, valuing the surprise factor more than theoretical soundness.
- The pawn on a3 often survives into the endgame, where it can prove invaluable by stopping …Bb4+ skewer ideas and supporting an outside passed a-pawn.
When to Add It to Your Repertoire
Consider the Westerinen Attack if you are:
- Aiming to dodge vast amounts of Sicilian theory such as the Najdorf (B90-B99) or the Sveshnikov (B33).
- Comfortable playing dynamically with a slight lag in development.
- Looking for a practical surprise weapon in rapid or blitz settings.
While objectively no more than equal for White, the line can be a powerful psychological tool and a refreshing change of pace from mainstream theory.