Sicilian: Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto, Gufeld Gambit

Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack

Definition

The Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack—usually shortened to “the Rossolimo”—is a positional sideline of the Sicilian Defense that arises after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. Instead of entering the sharp, heavily-theorized Open Sicilian with 3.d4, White immediately pins the c6-knight and aims to inflict structural weaknesses by exchanging on c6. It is named for two outstanding tacticians and attacking players: Rashid Nyezhmetdinov and Nicolas Rossolimo, who both employed the system with great success during the mid-20th century.

Typical Move-Order

Basic starting position:

3…g6 – leads to the Fianchetto Variation (see next section).
3…e6 – keeps flexible; Black may aim for …Nge7 and …d5.
3…d6 – transposes to Paulsen structures, often with …Bd7.
3…a6 – immediately questions the bishop; after 4.Bxc6 dxc6 Black gets the “Rossolimo structure.”

Strategic Themes

Doubling c-pawns: Bxc6 may create long-term weaknesses on c6 and c5, making it hard for Black to break with …d5.
Control of the dark squares: Without a knight on f6, the e5–d6 squares can be dominated by White.
Rapid development & kingside safety: White often castles early (4. O-O) while Black’s queenside structure can remain clumsy.

Historical & Modern Significance

Although once considered a sideline, the Rossolimo has become a staple at elite level. Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi and many others rely on it to sidestep the vast labyrinth of main-line Sicilian theory. In the 2018 World Championship match, every single 1.e4 game featured the Rossolimo.

Illustrative Example

Carlsen–Caruana, World Championship (Game 2), London 2018
Moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 Nf6 …
The structural damage on c6 fixed Black’s pawn weaknesses, and after a long maneuvering game Carlsen converted in the endgame.

Interesting Facts

Rossolimo reportedly carried a violin on tournament trips and used the instrument case to store opening notes on the variation named after him.
Nyezhmetdinov’s spectacular attacking wins with 3.Bb5 convinced many Soviet masters—Kasparov included—to study the line seriously.

Fianchetto Variation (in the Rossolimo Attack)

Definition

The Fianchetto Variation is the branch beginning 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6. Black immediately prepares …Bg7, adopting a Dragon-style fianchetto while accepting the possibility of doubled c-pawns after Bxc6. Its ECO code is B31.

Typical Continuations

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg7 6.Re1 Nf6 7.h3 O-O – the “classical” approach; Black’s bishop eyes the long diagonal while White hopes to prove the pawn structure inferior.
4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 e5!? – the Gufeld Gambit (next section).

Strategic Ideas

Long-diagonal pressure: The g7-bishop points at b2 and e5; if …d6 and …e5 appear, central control becomes strong.
Pawn weaknesses vs. bishop pair: After Bxc6 dxc6, Black’s doubled pawns are offset by the bishop pair and half-open d-file.
Slow-burn middlegames: The structure often yields gradual maneuvering rather than immediate tactical fireworks.

Historical Usage

The move 3…g6 was popularized in the 1960s when players such as Bent Larsen and Gennadi Kuzmin looked for a more dynamic alternative to the solid 3…d6. Today it remains a main weapon for Sicilian specialists who enjoy Dragon-style positions without allowing the critical Yugoslav Attack.

Sample Position

After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg7 6.d3 Nf6 7.Nc3
Black’s pawn chain c6–c5 offers space on the queenside, while White plans Be3–Qd2 or possibly a central break with d4.

Anecdote

In Wijk aan Zee 2014, World Champion Magnus Carlsen surprised Levon Aronian with 3…g6 and later admitted in the press conference that he had borrowed the idea from blitz games played “at 3 a.m.” on the internet the night before!

Gufeld Gambit (Rossolimo Fianchetto Variation)

Definition

The Gufeld Gambit is a sharp pawn sacrifice introduced by the Georgian grandmaster Eduard Gufeld. It occurs after: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 e5!? By thrusting the e-pawn two squares, Black invites White to win a pawn after 6.Bxc6 (or 6.c3 d6 7.d4), counting on rapid development, central tension, and the power of the fianchettoed bishop for compensation.

Main Line

Strategic & Tactical Motifs

Initiative over material: After giving up the e-pawn, Black gains open lines, free piece play and the chance to strike with …f5 or …c4.
Dark-square grip: The bishop on g7 targets the dark squares (d4, c3, b2) and partners with knights jumping to d4 or f4.
King-side pressure: Typical attacks feature …h6–g5–g4 or a rook lift via …Rf8–f6 to swing to g6/h6.
Risk-reward balance: If White consolidates, the extra pawn often tells in endgames, so Black must play energetically.

Historical Highlights

Gufeld first employed the idea in a blitz session with Tigran Petrosian in the late 1960s. After winning several sparkling games, he tried it in serious tournaments, notably versus Vladimir Bagirov (Moscow 1970), scoring a memorable attacking win.

Example Game

Gufeld – Bagirov, Moscow 1970
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 e5 6.b4!? Nxb4 7.c3 Nc6 8.d4 exd4 9.e5 Nge7 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bf6 O-O 12.cxd4… Gufeld sacrificed a second pawn and tore open the long diagonal, eventually mating on g7. The game earned a spot in his book “The Search for Mona Lisa.”

Interesting Facts

Gufeld liked to call his creation “the Mona Lisa of chess openings,” claiming it combined “simplicity, beauty, and eternal mystery.”
Engine evaluations once scoffed at …e5!? but modern neural-net engines show near-equality with best play, vindicating Gufeld’s intuition.
Because Black’s idea is so forcing, many top grandmasters with White meet 5…e5 by steering into sidelines such as 6.c3 Nge7 7.b4!?