Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation
Definition & Basic Move-Order
The Taimanov is a flexible branch of the Sicilian Defense that begins after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7. An alternative (and very popular) move-order is 4…a6 followed by …Nc6 and …Qc7, reaching identical middlegames while sidestepping certain sidelines.
- Named after Soviet Grandmaster Mark Taimanov (1926-2016).
- Black delays …Nf6 and …d6, keeping the queen-bishop diagonal and the central pawn structure fluid.
- Because the position can transpose into the Kan, Scheveningen, or
classical Sicilians, the Taimanov is sometimes called
“the
universal
Sicilian.”
Strategic Themes for Black
Black’s setup is characterised by four key ideas:
- Piece Activity before Commitment – Development (…Nc6, …Qc7, …a6, …Nf6/Ne7) precedes any pawn advance such as …d6 or …d5.
- Pressure on the c-file – After castling short, Black often places a rook on c8 to target the half-open file created by 3…cxd4.
- Breaks with …d5 – If White over-extends or omits kingside castling, the central break …d5 can equalise on the spot.
- Flexible Knight Routes – The king-knight may go to f6, e7, or even g6 depending on White’s setup (e.g. English Attack with f3–g4).
Main Plans for White
- English Attack – 6.Be3 followed by f3, Qd2, 0-0-0, g4, g5. White aims for a direct kingside pawn-storm.
- Fianchetto System – 6.g3 leading to Catalan-style pressure on the long diagonal. Favoured by Kramnik and Gelfand.
- Classical Choices – 6.Be2 or 6.Nb5; the former strives for rapid castling while the latter provokes …Qb8 or …Qe5.
Historical Significance
Mark Taimanov deployed the line regularly in the 1950s–70s, scoring notable victories against Smyslov, Keres, and Gligorić. After a lull in the 1980s the variation resurfaced thanks to Garry Kasparov, and it is currently a mainstay in the repertoires of MVL, Fabiano Caruana and Alireza Firouzja.
Illustrative Mini-Games
Click a diagram to play through the moves.
Game 1 – Sharp English Attack Garry Kasparov – Nigel Short, Tilburg 1991
Game 2 – Positional Fianchetto Vladimir Kramnik – Peter Leko, Dortmund 2000
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- GM Taimanov was also a world-class concert pianist. He once gave a recital two hours before a tournament game— and won that game with his trademark variation.
- Because Black’s queen appears on c7 so early,
the line is jokingly referred to in some Russian
textbooks as the “
Early Camera Flash
.” - In 2013, 13-year-old Wei Yi defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi with the Taimanov, becoming the youngest player in history to beat a 2700-rated GM in classical play.
Summary
The Taimanov is a perfect choice for players who enjoy a mix of dynamic counter-play and solid structure. Its flexible pawn skeleton lets Black navigate into sharp tactical melees or strategic endgames— all while avoiding the heaviest theoretical artillery of the Najdorf and the Scheveningen.