Sicilian Lasker-Pelikan Variation & Retreat Variations
Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation
Definition
The Lasker-Pelikan Variation is a major branch of the Sicilian Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5. By thrusting the e-pawn two squares, Black immediately attacks the white knight on d4 and stakes out central space, at the cost of creating a long-term weakness on the d5-square.
How It Is Used in Play
- After 5…e5, White’s main reply is 6. Ndb5, when play often continues 6…d6 7. Bg5, aiming at the sensitive d5 and f6 squares.
- Black obtains active piece play, especially for the bishops, and often pursues …b5, …Bb7, and a kingside attack with …g6 and …f5.
- Positional themes include the “hole” on d5 (a potential outpost for a white knight) versus Black’s bishop pair and dynamic pawn breaks.
- The variation frequently transposes into what modern theory calls the Sveshnikov, but Lasker-Pelikan is the historical name.
Strategic and Historical Significance
• Historical lineage. Emanuel Lasker toyed with 5…e5 as early as 1910, and the Czech-Argentine
master Jiří Pelikán analysed it deeply in the 1940s.
• The Sveshnikov boom. In the 1970s Soviet GM Evgeny Sveshnikov added countless new ideas,
leading to explosive popularity; many sources now label the entire system “Sicilian Sveshnikov.”
• World-championship level. The line featured repeatedly in
Caruana-Carlsen, World Chess Championship 2018, where Carlsen used it as Black
in Games 8, 10, and 12.
• Theoretical battleground. Because both sides accumulate long-term imbalances,
computers and grandmasters continue to unearth novelties deep into the middlegame.
Typical Example
World Chess Championship 2018, Game 8
Fabiano Caruana – Magnus Carlsen
The game showcased the key positional debate: White occupied d5 with a knight, while Black strove for queenside expansion and pressure on the e4-pawn.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Emanuel Lasker allegedly introduced 5…e5 in a casual game against Carl Schlechter, reasoning that “every square belongs to whoever last moved a pawn there.”
- During the 1980s, the USSR championship saw an internal joke: “If you haven’t analysed 26 moves of the Sveshnikov, you don’t truly love chess.”
- Many engines evaluate the starting position of the variation (after 5…e5) as almost equal, a testament to the razor-sharp balance of its strategic concessions.
Scandinavian Defense: Retreat Variation
Definition
The Retreat Variation of the Scandinavian Defense occurs after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8. Rather than keeping the queen active on d5 or a5, Black simply retreats it to its original square, aiming for a rock-solid setup.
How It Is Used in Play
- Black accepts a small loss of time (three queen moves in the first three plies) to avoid future harassment by White’s minor pieces.
- Typical development follows 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 g6 or 5…c6, leading to structures reminiscent of the Caro-Kann or Pirc but with the c-pawn still on c7.
- White often tries to exploit the tempo gain with quick development, central space, and sometimes long-term pressure on the semi-open d-file.
Strategic and Historical Significance
• Classical pedigree. The line dates back to the 19th century;
Carl Schlechter and Jacques Mieses analysed it extensively, which is why some databases
label it the “Mieses Variation.”
• Practical weapon. Club players like its straightforward plans
(…Nf6, …g6, …Bg7) and the reduced need to memorize forcing theory compared to sharper
Scandinavian lines with 3…Qa5 or 3…Qd6.
• Computer re-evaluation. Engines once scoffed at the lost tempo,
but recent neural-network evaluations suggest Black’s structure is more resilient
than previously believed.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Example line demonstrating typical ideas:
Black’s queen is safe on d8; meanwhile the fianchettoed bishop eyes the center. White enjoys a small lead in development and more space.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- World Champion Bobby Fischer experimented with the Retreat Variation in simultaneous exhibitions, valuing its solidity when facing a large number of opponents.
- Because the queen ends up back on d8, some players joke that the opening’s ECO code “B01” stands for “Back On 1st square.”
- The variation is popular in online blitz; after 3…Qd8 White must slow down, which can frustrate opponents who prepared sharp theory against 3…Qa5.