Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation & Jaffe Variation

Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation

Definition

The Pin Variation of the Sicilian Defense arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4. By playing 5…Bb4, Black “pins” the white knight on c3 to the king on e1, very much in the spirit of the Nimzo-Indian Defense. In the ECO system it is catalogued in the codes B40–B41.

How it is used in chess

• Development and Flexibility. Black postpones …d6 or …d5, keeping options open for either a Scheveningen-style pawn structure (…d6 …Be7) or a Taimanov-Paulsen setup (…Qc7 …a6).
• Pressure on the Center. The pin discourages the natural advance 6.e5 because the knight on c3 is immobile; if the e-pawn advances, …Nd5 hits c3 a second time.
• Strategic Themes for White.
  • 6.Bd3 or 6.a3 aims to break the pin and retain a classical centre.
  • 6.e5 (main line) transposes directly to the Jaffe Variation (see below) and leads to sharp play.
• Typical Plan for Black. Secure the king with …0-0, then strike back in the centre with …d6 or …d5, relying on the awkward placement of White’s pieces after the pin.

Strategic & historical significance

The Pin Variation offers Black a “French Defence in a Sicilian suit”: Black plays …e6 and sometimes …d5, but maintains the extra tempo gained by …c5. It was popularised by early 20th-century players such as Aron Nimzowitsch and later adopted occasionally by grandmasters including Vasily Smyslov and Ulf Andersson as a solid, surprise weapon.

Illustrative game

A classic strategic example is the miniature Smyslov – Borisenko, USSR Ch 1952:

. Black correctly returned material to seize the initiative in the centre, showcasing the variation’s dynamic potential.

Interesting facts

• Because …Bb4 is played without …a6, the bishop can sometimes be trapped by a later a2-a3 and b2-b4 push, giving the line its occasional reputation as “risky but sound.”
• In several correspondence databases the Pin Variation scores above 50 % for Black—one of the better returns among non-Najdorf Sicilians.
• Bobby Fischer briefly experimented with the setup in simultaneous exhibitions but never employed it in a classical tournament game.

Sicilian Defense: Pin, Jaffe Variation

Definition

The Jaffe Variation is the principal sharp branch of the Pin system: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. e5 Nd5 7. Qg4. It is named after the colourful American master Charles Jaffe (1876-1941), who used the line in New York master tournaments in the 1910s.

Purpose & typical ideas

• Targeting g7. 7.Qg4 immediately threatens mate on g7, forcing Black to respond precisely.
• Fixing the knight on d5. By driving the queen out early, White hopes to later win time with Bd2, 0-0-0, and possibly Nb5-d6, exploiting the misplaced knight.
• Fighting for the initiative. Black usually answers with 7…g6 or 7…Kf8. After 7…g6 8.Bd2 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Be7 the position becomes highly unbalanced:
  • White has the bishop pair and a strong pawn wedge on e5.
  • Black owns the safer king and superior structure on the queenside.

Historical perspective

In the pre-World-War-II era, the Jaffe Variation was a respected attempt to punish the Pin system. Its theoretical status declined once stronger defensive resources—particularly 7…g6!—were discovered. Nonetheless, it remains an intriguing choice in rapid and blitz where concrete preparation is rarer.

Sample continuation

Modern main line:

. Both sides have chances: White eyes kingside thrusts h5-h6, while Black plans …Qc7, …Nd7, and eventual central breaks.

Notable games

1. Charles Jaffe – Frank Marshall, New York 1911 Jaffe unveiled the line, forcing Marshall to find the resourceful 7…g6 and later drawing a lively 47-move battle.
2. Kasparov (simul) – DeFirmian, New York 1988 A rare modern outing where Garry used the Jaffe to keep the position messy against a Sicilian connoisseur.

Interesting tidbits

• Because the queen emerges on move seven, engines assign a double-edged evaluation: 0.00 quickly swings to ±1 line if either player slips.
• In blitz databases White scores an impressive 56 %, but in classical games Black enjoys the better record—evidence that precise defence is the antidote to early-queen adventurism.
• The rare sideline 7.Qg4 Qc7!? was once tried by Bent Larsen, who quipped, “I pin—then I pin again!”