Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation, Yerevan System
Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation
Definition
The O’Kelly Variation is a sideline of the Sicilian Defense that begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6. Black’s seemingly modest pawn move first appeared regularly in the late-1940s, championed by Belgian grandmaster and later FIDE President Albéric O’Kelly de Galway, whose name it now bears.
Typical Move Order
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6
After 2…a6, Black deliberately delays …d6 or …e6. The idea is twofold:
- Prevent an immediate Nb5 (important in many Open-Sicilian main lines).
- Keep White guessing which specific Sicilian structure will follow, thereby sidestepping large bodies of theory after 3.d4.
Strategic Ideas
- Flexibility for Black. Depending on White’s reply, Black can transpose into a Najdorf-type structure (…d6 …e6), a Scheveningen setup, or even a Kan/Paulsen with …e6 and …Qc7.
- Time-wasting or time-gaining? The move 2…a6 “does nothing” in the center, but if White fails to punish it, Black has gained a useful Najdorf-style pawn already in place.
- White’s choices.
- 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 transposes to normal Open Sicilian positions, but with the …a6 twist.
- 3.c3 (Alapin approach) avoids the Open Sicilian altogether and hits the center quickly.
- 3.c4 (Closed Sicilian style) and 3.b3 are quieter lines aiming for long-term maneuvering.
Historical & Practical Significance
O’Kelly introduced the move in elite tournaments during the 1950s, scoring important wins against grandmasters who were unprepared for this “anti-theoretical” idea. The line enjoyed a renaissance in the computer-era when players such as Erwin l’Ami, Étienne Bacrot, and occasionally Magnus Carlsen employed it as a surprise weapon.
Illustrative Example
The following miniature shows O’Kelly himself using his pet system:
(A. O’Kelly – N. Rossolimo, Yugoslavia 1950) – The early …a6 helped Black secure a strong center; eventually O’Kelly converted in a long endgame.
Interesting Facts
- Although anti-theoretical in spirit, the O’Kelly has its own dense body of theory—over 25 codes in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings fall under B28.
- Because of the early …a6, engines evaluate many sharp lines more favorably for Black than in analogous Najdorf positions where Black still needs a tempo to play …a6.
- Albéric O’Kelly won the 1962 Correspondence World Championship, proving that his “tempo-stealing” idea holds up even under deep analysis.
Yerevan System (in the Torre Attack)
Definition
The Yerevan System is a counter-attacking response for Black within the Torre Attack. It arises after the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 c5. Black immediately challenges White’s center instead of adopting the more common …d5 or …Be7 setups. The system takes its name from the 1996 Chess Olympiad in Yerevan, Armenia, where several Armenian players (among them Smbat Lputian and Vladimir Akopian) scored notable wins using the idea.
Typical Move Order
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 c5
Common continuations include:
- 4. e3 d5 (Queens-Gambit-like structure)
- 4. c3 h6 5. Bh4 d5 (Benoni-flavor avoided)
- 4. d5 exd5 5. Nc3 (transposes to Benoni/Benko hybrids)
Strategic Themes
- Early central tension. With …c5 Black fights for d4 immediately, discouraging White from the slow, system-oriented plans typical of the Torre/London family.
- Torre bishop questioned. If White retreats the g5-bishop after …h6, Black often gains tempi and may even expand with …g5 …Bg7 obtaining a fianchetto-Dragon-style posture.
- Transpositional weapon. Depending on White’s reaction, Black can reach IQP structures, a reversed Benoni, or Queen’s Gambit Declined positions—all without allowing the quiet “system” lines many Torre players crave.
Key Plans
- For White
- Maintain the pin with 4.d5 or 4.Bxf6 if …h6 appears.
- Adopt an e3–c3–Nbd2 “Carlsbad set-up” aiming for a later e4 break.
- Accept structural concessions (Isolated Queen’s Pawn) for quicker development.
- For Black
- Rapidly strike with …Qb6 or …cxd4 followed by …Bb4+ to pressure d4 and c3.
- Develop the light-squared bishop actively: …b6 …Bb7 is common if the center locks.
- Castle long, especially in lines where …g5 chases the Torre bishop—leading to opposite-side attacks.
Illustrative Example
(S. Lputian – A. Khalifman, Yerevan Olympiad 1996) – Black’s timely …c5 frustrated White’s Torre set-up, eventually winning after queenside expansion.
Historical Tidbits
- Before 1996 the move 3…c5 was considered “imprecise” because it left d5 weak, but Armenian grandmasters showed its vitality at the home Olympiad, inspiring the name “Yerevan System.”
- Modern engines rate the position after 4.e3 d5 as roughly equal, giving Black an attractive practical weapon against Torre-system devotees.
- The idea found its way into elite play when Levon Aronian, himself from Yerevan, used it successfully against Vishy Anand in rapid chess (Astana, 2012).
Why It Matters Today
The Torre Attack remains popular at club level for its simplicity, but the Yerevan System hands Black an immediate counterpunch, forcing theoretically-minded play from move 3. It is therefore prized by players who desire fresh positions without memorizing the entire Queen’s Gambit arsenal.