Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan & Bird Variation

Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation

Definition

The Lasker-Pelikan Variation is a dynamic branch of the Open Sicilian that arises after the moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5.
Modern texts often label the same position the “Sveshnikov” (after the Soviet theoretician Evgeny Sveshnikov), but historically the line was first tried in serious play by Emanuel Lasker (1910) and later developed by the Czech master Jiri Pelikan (1950s), giving rise to the double-barrelled name.

How the Variation Is Used

• Black immediately strikes in the center with …e5, accepting a backward d-pawn and a weakened d5-square in return for active piece play and pressure on White’s knight on d4.
• The most common continuation is 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5, after which both sides have clear plans:
  • White: exploit the hole on d5, pressure the backward pawn on d6, and aim for a kingside attack.
  • Black: gain space on the queenside, post pieces on the long diagonal a1–h8, and eventually break with …d5.
• The resulting positions are sharp and highly theoretical; memorization and accurate calculation are critical for tournament play.

Strategic Themes

1. Outpost on d5. White’s knight often occupies d5, becoming a spearhead for central control.
2. Backward d-pawn vs. IQP structure. Black’s pawn on d6 is a long-term weakness, yet if Black succeeds in playing …d5 the position often liquidates favorably.
3. Opposite-side minor pieces. White’s knight on a3/b5 and bishop on g5 are contrasted with Black’s strong bishops on b7 and g7 (after …b5 …Bb7 and …g6).
4. King safety. Because the center is semi-open and pieces are scattered, both kings can come under fire remarkably quickly.

Historical & Notable Games

• Emanuel Lasker – Carl Schlechter, World Championship Match (G6), 1910. The first world-championship test of …e5.
• Borislav Ivkov – Jiri Pelikan, Mariánské Lázně 1951. Pelikan unveils key improvements, beating a future Candidates finalist.
• Carlsen – Caruana, World Championship (rapid tiebreak G3), London 2018. Carlsen used a modern Sveshnikov tabiya to secure a decisive advantage and win the title.

Example Line (Mini-PGN)

Interesting Facts

• Sveshnikov was so committed to the line that he played it even against super-computers in the 1990s, arguing that concrete analysis outweighed machine calculation in the resulting structures.
• The variation triggered a massive theoretical boom after the 2018 Carlsen-Caruana match—online databases recorded over 1,000 new games in the following year alone.
• Because theory branches as early as move six, grandmasters often prepare “computer novelties” as deep as move 25!

Sicilian Defense: Bird Variation

Definition

The Bird Variation of the Sicilian begins with
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4.
Named after the 19th-century English master Henry Bird, the line mirrors Bird’s Defense in the Ruy López (3…Nd4). Black kicks the Rossolimo bishop at once, aiming for an early structural clarification.

Typical Continuations

The main branches are:

• 4.Nxd4 cxd4 5.O-O – White accepts doubled d-pawns in return for rapid development.
• 4.Ba4 g6 5.O-O Bg7 – White keeps the bishop; Black fianchettoes and fights for the dark squares.
• 4.Be2 Nxb5 5.Bxb5 a6 – Black concedes the bishop pair but gains queenside space and the pair of central pawns.

Strategic Outlook

• Center vs. structure. The exchange on d4 often leaves Black with a pawn majority in the center (pawns on c5 & d4) but an isolated pawn (d4) that can become a tactical target.
• Bishop pair imbalance. If Black captures on b5, White gains the bishop pair and long-term attacking chances.
• Open a-file. After …a6 and …b5, Black may seize the a-file for a rook, launching queenside counterplay.

Historical Significance

Although never a mainstream grandmaster choice, the Bird Variation has served as a surprise weapon:

• Henry Bird himself experimented with the line in 1880s London cafés.
• Lev Psakhis used it to defeat Rafael Vaganian, USSR Ch. 1985, illustrating its latent tactical venom.
• In modern rapid events, players such as Baadur Jobava employ the move order to sidestep heavy Rossolimo theory.

Illustrative Mini-Game

[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|Nc6|Bb5|Nd4|Nxd4|cxd4|O-O|a6|Ba4|g6|c3|Bg7|d3|b5|Bb3|e6|arrows|d4d3,b5b4|squares|d4,d3,f7]]

Interesting Tidbits

• Henry Bird’s penchant for early knight lunges gave us not only this line and the Spanish Bird but also “Bird’s Opening” (1.f4).
• Because the early …Nd4 is impossible after 3.Bxc6 in the Rossolimo/Moscow move orders, the Bird Variation exists only when White voluntarily retreats or exchanges on d4, making it an excellent psychological choice.
• Engines evaluate the starting position as roughly equal (≈0.20 for White), but practical results show Black scoring above 50 % in blitz, suggesting the surprise factor is real.