Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Gurgenidze
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Gurgenidze Variation
Definition
The Gurgenidze Variation is a branch of the Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack against the Sicilian Defense. It arises after the moves:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6
Named for the Georgian grandmaster Bukhuti Gurgenidze, who popularized the early …g6 setup, the line combines Rossolimo’s strategic pin (Bb5) with a Dragon-style kingside fianchetto. Its ECO code is B31.
Main Move-Order & Typical Continuations
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.c3 (flexible, preparing d4) Nf6 6.Re1 O-O 7.d4 cxd4 8.cxd4 (White plants a strong center)
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.c3 Nf6 5.e5 Nd5 6.d4 cxd4 7.O-O (leads to IQP structures in which the bishop on b5 exerts long-term pressure)
- The sharp gambit 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg7 6.d3 or 6.Nc3 aims to exploit Black’s doubled c-pawns before they become an asset.
Strategic Themes
- Black’s Kingside Fianchetto – The bishop on g7 counters the pin on c6, supports …d5 or …f5 breaks, and gives Black a sturdy dark-square framework reminiscent of the Accelerated Dragon.
- Control of the d5-square – White typically tries to clamp down with c3 and d4, while Black leverages the fianchetto to fight back with …d5.
- Structural Imbalance – If White captures on c6, Black receives the two bishops and half-open b-file at the cost of doubled c-pawns; otherwise tension on the c-file persists for many moves.
- Piece Play vs. Pawn Play – White relies on harmonious piece placement (Na3-c4, Re1-e4-h4) to create pressure, whereas Black banks on long-term pawn breaks and the latent power of the g7 bishop.
Historical & Theoretical Notes
• The Rossolimo Attack (3.Bb5) itself was pioneered by Nicolas Rossolimo in the 1940s, but the idea of an immediate …g6 was first explored systematically by Rashid Nyezhmetdinov and later championed by Bukhuti Gurgenidze during the 1960s Soviet championships.
• Modern elite players such as Magnus Carlsen, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Anish Giri have all adopted the variation as either color, appreciating its flexibility and relatively low-maintenance theory compared with Open Sicilians.
Illustrative Game
Carlsen vs. Vachier-Lagrave, Norway Chess (Blitz) 2015 – an instructive model showing how White leverages the c-pawn advance to seize space while keeping the bishop pair at bay.
[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|Nc6|Bb5|g6|O-O|Bg7|c3|Nf6|Re1|O-O|d4|cxd4|cxd4|d5|e5|Ne4|h3|f6|exf6|exf6|Nc3|Nxc3|bxc3|Re8|Rxe8+|Qxe8|Qb3|Qd7|Ba3 ]]Practical Tips for Players
- With White: Aim for quick central expansion (c3 & d4) before Black castles. Watch for tactical motifs on c6 and e5; a timely Bxc6 can ruin Black’s pawn structure.
- With Black: Do not hurry with …e6; instead, castle, place a rook on c8, and hit the center with …d5 when prepared. Avoid passive setups—counterplay is essential to justify the concession of space.
Interesting Facts
- Gurgenidze was also a noted problem composer; his love for unusual piece configurations is mirrored in this off-beat Sicilian line.
- Because the bishop often retreats to a4 or c4, some grandmasters jokingly call 3…g6 the “power-nap Dragon” – Black lies in wait rather than immediately unleashing tactical chaos.
- The variation has become a popular surprise weapon in rapid & blitz formats where forcing White out of mainstream Open Sicilian theory can be psychologically valuable.