Sicilian Defense Open Lowenthal Variation
Sicilian Defense – Open Lowenthal Variation
Definition
The Open Lowenthal (or Löwenthal) Variation is a branch of the Sicilian Defense that arises after the moves:
- 1. e4 c5
- 2. Nf3 Nc6
- 3. d4 cxd4
- 4. Nxd4 e5
Black’s 4…e5 immediately attacks the knight on d4, forcing it to move and staking out central space. The line is named for the 19th-century Hungarian-British master Johann Löwenthal, a contemporary (and occasional opponent) of Paul Morphy.
How It Is Used in Chess
The Lowenthal is chosen by players who:
- Enjoy sharp, forcing play from move four.
- Prefer to dictate early structure by fixing a pawn on e5 and narrowing White’s choice of plans.
- Are comfortable with a long-term positional concession (the d5 square) in exchange for short-term initiative.
White almost always replies 5.Nb5, eyeing the d6 square and highlighting Black’s dark-square weaknesses. The main branching point comes after 5…d6, when White can choose between:
- 6.N1c3 (classical development, preparing Bg5 or Nd5).
- 6.c4 (the Maroczy-style clamp, supporting the knight and restraining …d5).
- 6.Be2 or 6.Bc4, placing quick pressure on f7.
Many Lowenthal specialists memorize concrete move-order tricks—for example, delaying …d6 in favor of …Bc5 to create counter-threats against f2 if White rushes to occupy d6.
Strategic and Historical Significance
Strategically, the variation revolves around the permanent hole on d5 and the fate of Black’s e5-pawn:
- Black obtains space, frees the c8-bishop, and can sometimes castle long for a pawn storm on the kingside.
- White strives to occupy d5 or d6 with a knight, squeeze on the dark squares (c4, e4, f5), and exploit the half-open c-file.
Historically, the Lowenthal enjoyed great popularity in the late 19th century (Morphy–Löwenthal games in London, 1858). It re-emerged in the 1970s with the efforts of English and Yugoslav grandmasters such as Raymond Keene and Dragoljub Velimirović. Today it is a rare but respected surprise weapon; modern engines show it is playable but demand precise handling.
Illustrative Example
The following miniature, played in a modern rapid event, shows typical themes—Black delays …d6, grabs the bishop pair, but ultimately pays for dark-square weaknesses:
Key take-aways:
- 5…Bc5!? illustrates a common sideline aimed at counter-pinning f2.
- White’s knights on b5 and d5 restricted Black’s central breaks.
- Once the light-squared bishop left c5, the d6 and c7 squares became weak.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Johann Löwenthal’s original recommendation was 5…d6 6.c4 f5!?—an aggressive gambit that puzzled 19th-century analysts.
- The legendary Paul Morphy demolished Löwenthal in an 1858 match; yet Morphy himself later used the Lowenthal with Black and won, proving its dynamic potential.
- Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura experimented with the line online in blitz, once tweeting “It’s so bad it’s good—engine says +0.8 but no human can prove it OTB.”
- Because the forced move 4…e5 violates the textbook “don’t move the same pawn twice in the opening,” many beginners learn the principle by studying this very exception.