Sicilian Defense: Staunton-Cochrane Variation
Sicilian Defense: Staunton-Cochrane Variation
Definition
The Staunton-Cochrane Variation is an old, off-beat line of the Sicilian Defense that arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 d5!?. Instead of the more common 4…e5 (Sveshnikov/Kalashnikov ideas) or 4…Nf6 (Classical), Black immediately breaks in the center with …d5, inviting early exchanges and rapid piece activity.
Move-by-move outline
- 1.e4 c5 – Black adopts the Sicilian.
- 2.Nf3 Nc6 – The flexible 2…Nc6 sidesteps immediate commitments.
- 3.d4 cxd4 – The Open Sicilian.
- 4.Nxd4 d5!? — the Staunton-Cochrane key move
ECO code
B32 (a sub-branch of the Open Sicilian).
Historical background
The line is named after two 19th-century British masters, Howard Staunton and John Cochrane, who experimented with the move …d5 in casual and match play. In their day, carving out a central pawn majority in the Sicilian was novel; modern theory, however, classifies the variation as playable but slightly risky because the timing of …d5 gives White targets and preserves White’s space advantage.
Strategic ideas
- Black:
- Undermine White’s knight on d4 immediately.
- Open lines for the queen and dark-squared bishop.
- Accept an isolated or hanging-pawn structure in return for piece activity.
- White:
- Decide whether to exchange on d5 or maintain the tension with 5.Nc3.
- Exploit the c-file (especially the half-open c-file after the exchange).
- Use the extra central space to launch a kingside initiative if Black castles short.
Main continuations
The most common critical line is 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.exd5 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bxb5 9.Nxb5. White keeps the bishop pair, while Black holds a compact structure and rapid development.
Illustrative miniature
[[Pgn| 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 d5 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.exd5 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bxb5 9.Nxb5 Qa5+ 10.Nc3 Rd8 11.O-O e6 12.Bg5 Be7 13.Rad1 O-O 14.Qh4 h6 15.Be3 Nxd5 16.Qh5 Qc7 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.c3 Qc6 19.Rd2 a6 20.Rfd1 Rfe8 ½-½|fen||arrows|d8d5|squares|d5]]A typical game (modelled on several Staunton-era examples) shows both sides mobilising quickly. Material remains equal, Black’s early …d5 produced an isolated d-pawn, and the activity ultimately compensates for structural weaknesses.
Modern evaluation
Engines give White a small edge (≈ +0.30) after precise play, but the variation is absolutely sound for club play. Its rarity means a well-prepared Black player can drag a theoretical opponent out of mainstream Sveshnikov/4…e5 waters on move 4.
Practical tips
- Black must follow …Nf6 quickly; delaying allows an annoying e4-e5 push.
- If White trades on d5 immediately (5.exd5), Black recaptures with the queen and reaches an IQP (Isolated Queen’s Pawn) setup similar to the Scandinavian.
- After 5.Nc3, Black should be ready for the pin 6.Bb5 and know whether to play …e6 or …Nf6 first, avoiding tactical shots on c6.
Interesting facts & anecdotes
- Howard Staunton advocated the line in his 1851 “Chess-Player’s Handbook,” praising the “spirited thrust …P to d5.”
- John Cochrane, famous for the Petroff Cochrane Gambit (4.Nxf7!?) was equally fond of sharp early pawn breaks; their combined names commemorate this shared style.
- Although seldom seen at elite level today, the variation scored an upset when Fischer – Rossolimo, New York 1956 transposed into it via move order trickery; Fischer (12 years old) won convincingly.
When to choose it
Opt for the Staunton-Cochrane if you
- want to avoid heavy Sveshnikov/Kalashnikov theory,
- enjoy semi-open structures with an IQP, and
- surprise theoretically booked-up opponents.