Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov–Rossolimo Variation

Sicilian Defense, Nyezhmetdinov–Rossolimo Variation

Definition

The Nyezhmetdinov–Rossolimo Variation is a branch of the Sicilian Defense that arises after the moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. In its purest form the variation continues with the flexible kingside-fianchetto …g6 by Black, most commonly 3…g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6. The line is named after two attacking virtuosos—Rashid Nyezhmetdinov and Nicholas Rossolimo—who independently popularized the early bishop pin on b5 against the Sicilian’s …Nc6.

Typical Move Order

The most frequently seen sequence is:

1. e4 - c5
2. Nf3 - Nc6
3. Bb5 - g6
4. Bxc6 - dxc6
5. d3 - Bg7
6. h3 - e5

From this position White intends to castle short, place a knight on c4, and eventually play either b4 or a4 to undermine Black’s queenside pawn structure. Black enjoys the bishop pair and a solid central pawn wedge in return for the doubled c-pawns.

Strategic Themes

• Structural Imbalance: White inflicts doubled pawns (c7–c6) on Black in exchange for ceding the dark-squared bishop. This gives Black the bishop pair but long-term pawn targets.
• Controlled Positional Play: Compared with main-line Open Sicilians, this variation reduces early tactical complications while retaining rich middlegame prospects.
• Queenside Space vs. Central Control: White often breaks with a4 and b4; Black seeks central counterplay through …e5, …Ne7, and eventually …f5.
• King Safety and Fianchetto: Black’s early …g6 places the king on g8 behind a robust pawn shield; White may target the long diagonal with Bb2 after fianchettoing the queen’s bishop.

Historical Significance

• Nicholas Rossolimo (1910-1975) employed 3. Bb5 against both …d6 and …Nc6 Sicilians throughout the 1940s and 1950s, earning spectacular wins versus leading grandmasters.
• Rashid Nyezhmetdinov (1912-1974), acclaimed for his attacking flair, refined the continuation with …g6, demonstrating that Black could embrace the doubled pawns and fight for the whole point.
• Modern elite players such as Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, and Fabiano Caruana have all adopted the variation to sidestep deep computer-analyzed Open Sicilians.

Illustrative Game

Gurgenidze vs. Nyezhmetdinov, Tbilisi 1954. Nyezhmetdinov demonstrates the power of the bishop pair and central breaks. After 30…f6–f5 the g7-bishop and c5-pawn join forces on the long diagonal, leading to a decisive kingside invasion.

Plans for Both Sides

• White’s Typical Ideas
  • Prevent Black’s thematic …f5 advance with Re1 and g4.
  • Establish a knight on c4 targeting the e5-pawn and infiltrating on d6.
  • Use the a- and b-pawns to open lines on the queenside and expose Black’s doubled pawns.
• Black’s Typical Ideas
  • Exploit the bishop pair—place the dark-squared bishop on g7 and the light-squared bishop on e6 or g4.
  • Advance …e5 followed by …Ne7–d4 or …f5 to seize the center.
  • Castle kingside quickly; later expand on the kingside with …f5, …h6, and …g5.

Famous Modern Encounters

• Carlsen vs. Aronian, Bilbao Masters 2012 – Carlsen won a grinding endgame by exploiting the c-pawns.
• Vachier-Lagrave vs. Caruana, Sinquefield Cup 2015 – A heavyweight draw showcasing state-of-the-art preparation; engines verify near-equality throughout.
• Anand vs. Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1996 – Anand’s model attacking win highlighted the power of the knight on c4 and a timely f4–f5 sacrifice.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The variation is one of the rare cases where a single line carries two distinct surnames; most openings adopt either one (e.g., “Najdorf”) or geographical names (“Dragon”).
• Nyezhmetdinov’s aggressive style inspired Garry Kasparov, who studied his games in depth and called him “the master of audacity.”
• Rossolimo once beat future World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik with 3. Bb5, prompting Botvinnik to add the line to his own opening repertoire as Black.
• Because White often delays c2–c3, the line avoids the ubiquitous d4 pawn break, making it a favorite surprise weapon among rapid and blitz specialists.

Why Choose This Variation?

Players who enjoy a positional struggle with latent tactical possibilities will value the Nyezhmetdinov–Rossolimo Variation. It diverts opponents from the dense theoretical jungles of the Najdorf, Dragon, Sveshnikov, and others, while still offering winning chances against unprepared adversaries. Its champion practitioners range from creative attackers (Nyezhmetdinov) to universal strategists (Carlsen), underscoring the line’s flexibility.