Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Leonhardt Variation

Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Leonhardt Variation

Definition

The Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack, Leonhardt Variation is a branch of the Open Sicilian that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6  5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bc4 g6. The position is catalogued in ECO as B58. White’s sixth-move bishop to c4 (the Sozin idea) aims directly at the tender f7-square, while Black’s reply 6…g6 (the Leonhardt twist) prepares to fianchetto the king’s bishop, blending ideas from the Classical Sicilian with those of the Dragon.

Historical Background

• Veniamin Sozin (1896–1956) was a Russian master who popularized 6.Bc4 against several Sicilian set-ups in the 1930s.
• The move 6…g6 was experimented with by the German master Paul Saladin Leonhardt (1877–1934), giving the variation its second name.
• Although Bobby Fischer’s spectacular games with 6…e6 made the “Fischer-Sozin” famous, the Leonhardt line experienced a renaissance in the 1990s when grandmasters such as Alexei Shirov, Veselin Topalov, and Peter Svidler began using it to avoid well-trodden Najdorf theory.

Strategic Themes

• White’s attacking prospects: The bishop on c4 eyes f7, and White often castles long (O-O-O) to launch a pawn storm with f2–f4–f5 or g2–g4.
• Black’s counterplay: The fianchettoed bishop on g7 exerts long-range pressure on the central and queenside light squares, and …d6-d5 breaks in the center are thematic.
• Hybrid structures: The pawn formation can transpose into Dragon-style positions, but with the pawn still on d6 rather than d7, giving Black extra solidity at the cost of a slightly cramped game.
• Piece activity vs. structure: White enjoys rapid piece activity; Black relies on a sound pawn structure and the bishop pair to weather the storm.

Typical Continuations

1. 7.Be3 Bg7 8.f3 O-O 9.Qd2 Bd7 10.O-O-O Rc8 – the fashionable English Attack set-up for White.
2. 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.e5 Ng4 – the sharper Tal–Sozin line, where piece activity is paramount.
3. 7.Bg5 Bg7 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.e5 – a forcing line that often liquidates into an ending where Black’s bishop pair compensates for structural weaknesses.

Model Game

Alexei Shirov – Loek van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 1998
A dazzling illustration of the Leonhardt counter-attack: Shirov’s early g-pawn thrust was met by precise central strikes, and van Wely’s fianchettoed bishop eventually dominated the long diagonal, swinging the game in Black’s favor.

Practical Tips

• For White: Do not rush the kingside pawn storm; first secure the center with f2–f3 and Qd2. Always keep an eye on Black’s …d6–d5 break.
• For Black: Develop calmly—…Bg7, …O-O, …Rc8—then strike in the center. If White castles queenside, …Qa5 or …Ne5 can be potent counters.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The line often arises by transposition from the Najdorf: after 5…a6 6.Bc4 g6, the position is functionally identical.
• Paul Leonhardt experimented with the move …g6 against Sozin-type set-ups as early as St. Petersburg 1914, decades before the Dragon became mainstream.
• Because both sides can castle either side, the variation is jokingly called “the amphibious Sozin” in some club circles.

Why Study This Line?

For the enterprising Sicilian player, the Leonhardt Variation offers:

• A way to sidestep mountains of Najdorf theory.
• Flexible pawn structures that suit both tactical and strategic styles.
• Plenty of surprise value—many opponents book up on 6…e6 but have only superficial knowledge of 6…g6.