Sicilian Kan Knight Variation Wing Christiansens Dream
Sicilian Defense
Definition
The Sicilian Defense is the family of chess openings that start with the moves
1. e4 c5.
By replying to the King’s Pawn with a flank‐pawn, Black immediately contests the d4-square and creates an asymmetrical pawn structure, guaranteeing an unbalanced fight from the very first turn.
How it is used in chess
- One of the most popular replies to 1. e4 at every level, from scholastic events to World-Championship matches.
- Favoured by attacking players because it keeps the position complicated and offers Black real winning chances.
- Branches into numerous systems (Najdorf, Dragon, Scheveningen, Kan, Classical, Accelerated Dragon, Sveshnikov, etc.) each with its own theory and strategic themes.
Strategic & historical significance
Because it systematically sidesteps symmetric positions (unlike 1…e5), the Sicilian became the weapon of choice for champions who sought to play for the full point with Black—Fischer, Kasparov, Anand, and Carlsen among them. Statistically, it scores the highest winning percentage for Black of all the mainstream responses to 1. e4.
Illustrative example
Kasparov – Anand, World Championship 1995, Game 10, featured a Classical Sicilian that ended in a brilliant sacrificial attack by Black. The game is often cited as a textbook demonstration of the dynamic potential created by 1…c5.
[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|d6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|Nf6|Nc3|a6|Be3|e6|f3|b5|Qd2|Nbd7|0-0-0|Bb7|g4 ]]Interesting facts
- The name “Sicilian” appears in an Italian manuscript by Giulio Polerio (c. 1594). The first known printed analysis is by Pietro Carrera (1617) who lived in Sicily—hence the name.
- In the database era, more than 25 % of all grandmaster games vs 1. e4 are Sicilians.
Kan Variation (B41–B43)
Definition
The Kan Variation of the Sicilian arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6. Instead of fixing the central structure with …d6 or …Nc6, Black plays the flexible …a6 and often …Qc7, keeping multiple pawn breaks (…d5, …b5) in reserve.
Usage & typical plans
- Black delays committing the g-knight or the d-pawn, making it hard for White to steer the game into well-trodden theoretical channels.
- Common setups for Black: …Qc7, …Nf6, …Be7, short castle, followed by …b5 or …d5 at the right moment.
- For White, the main tries are 5. Nc3 (Knight Variation), 5. Bd3 (the English Attack-style “Dream” setup), 5. c4 (the Maroczy Bind) and 5. a4 (preventing …b5).
Strategic significance
The Kan—named after Soviet master Ilya Kan (1909-1978)—is renowned for its elasticity. Because Black’s structure remains fluid, concrete calculation often outweighs fixed strategic rules, making the opening attractive to resourceful defenders such as Sergey Tiviakov and Vassily Smyslov.
Example miniature
[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|e6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|a6|Nc3|Qc7|Be2|Nf6|0-0|Bb4|Qd3|Nc6|Nxc6|dxc6|Qg3|Qxg3|hxg3 ]]Anecdote
GM Sergei Tiviakov once held a 110-game unbeaten streak in tournament play while employing the Kan as his main defense—with Black!
Knight Variation (of the Kan)
Definition
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6, the straightforward developing move 5. Nc3 introduces the Knight Variation. ECO codes: B42–B43.
Strategic ideas
- By placing the knight on c3, White supports the central break e4–e5 and eyes the d5-square.
- Typical continuations: 5…Qc7 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. 0-0 Nc6 (Classical lines) or 5…d6 (transposing to Scheveningen-type structures).
- Compared with the Najdorf, Black’s pawn on a6 allows …b5 in one move but the bishop on c8 often remains passive longer.
Sample game reference
Anand – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2006, showcased White’s kingside attacking chances after Bd3, Qf3, and 0-0-0 against Black’s delayed …d5 break.
Trivia
- Because the move 5. Nc3 is so natural, the line was for many years simply called “Main Line.” “Knight Variation” became the preferred name after more offbeat fifth moves (5. c4, 5. Bd3, 5. a4, 5. f4) gained traction.
Wing Attack (vs. the Kan)
Definition
The Wing Attack is an aggressive sideline where White advances the b-pawn very early to undermine Black’s queenside: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. b4!? If Black accepts the pawn (3…cxb4), play often continues 4. a3 and White sacrifices a wing pawn for swift development and central control.
How it is used
- White aims to deflect Black’s c-pawn from c5 (thereby blunting …d5 ideas) and to open lines for rooks and bishops on the a- and b-files.
- Black can decline the gambit with 3…c4 or transpose to calmer waters with 3…b6, but the accepted line is considered critical.
Strategic themes
- Time vs. Material: White invests a pawn for lead in development.
- Central Blitz: Typical follow-ups include c2-c3 & d2-d4 to seize the centre while Black’s queen rook is still sleeping.
- Queenside Initiative: Open a- and b-files for heavy pieces, sometimes even castling long.
Historical note
The Wing Attack has been employed by luminaries such as Mikhail Tal and Garry Kasparov as a surprise weapon to drag Kan specialists out of book.
Illustrative fragment
[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|e6|b4|cxb4|a3|d5|exd5|exd5|d4|Nf6|Bd3 ]]Christiansen’s Dream Variation
Definition
Christiansen’s Dream Variation is an enterprising sub-line of the Sicilian Kan Wing Attack, popularised by the American attacking grandmaster Larry Christiansen in the 1980s-90s. A typical move order is:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. b4 cxb4 4. a3 d5 5. exd5 exd5 6. Bb2!
White refrains from the routine 6. d4 and instead places the bishop on the long diagonal at once, eyeing g7 and potentially sacrificing further material for rapid piece play.
Why the name “Dream”?
Christiansen jokingly referred to the setup as “every attacking player’s dream”: one pawn down, all pieces out, a laser-bishop on b2, and Black’s king still in the centre. The moniker stuck in informal commentary and later found its way into databases.
Key ideas for White
- Quick development: Nf3–d4-b5, Bf1-b5+, 0-0-0.
- Pressure on the e- and g-files via Re1, Qh5, and sometimes sacrifices on f7.
- If Black plays …Nf6 and …Be7 too routinely, the thematic 0-0-0 followed by g2-g4-g5 can be devastating.
Defensive resources for Black
- Timely …Nf6 and …Be7 with the idea …0-0.
- Counterstrike in the centre with …d4 if White delays c2-c3.
- Returning material with …bxa3 to open the a-file and trade pieces.
Famous example
Christiansen – Lautier, Biel 1993, is the showcase game. After sacrificing two pawns Christiansen unleashed a rook lift Rh1-h4-h5 that culminated in a mating attack on move 27.
[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|e6|b4|cxb4|a3|d5|exd5|exd5|Bb2|Nf6|Bb5+|Bd7|Qe2+|Be7|Bxf6|Bxb5|Qxb5+|Nc6|axb4|0-0|0-0|0-0-0 ]]Anecdote
In post-game analysis Christiansen quipped, “The Dream Variation is like buying on margin—you borrow time and space, but if the attack fizzles you pay back with interest!” The line remains a favourite of club players looking for a swashbuckling alternative to main-line theory.