Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan, Sveshnikov & Novosibirsk

Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation

Definition

The Lasker-Pelikan Variation is an early branch of the Sicilian Defense that arises after the moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5.
Black immediately strikes the e4-knight and gains space in the centre, accepting the long-term weakness of the d5 square and a backward d6-pawn.

Typical Move Order

Illustrative main line:

6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7

Strategic Themes

The d5 outpost: By playing …e5 Black concedes a permanent hole on d5, often occupied by a white knight.
Piece activity vs. structural weakness: In return for the hole, Black obtains rapid piece play, open diagonals for the bishops and the potential …f5 break.
King-side attack prospects: The semi-open f-file and space in the centre enable Black to generate attacking chances, especially if White castles short.

Historical Context

• Emanuel Lasker experimented with the idea of …e5 as early as 1910.
• Czech-Argentine grandmaster Jiří (Jorge) Pelikán analysed the line deeply in the 1950s, adding modern continuations such as 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5.
• In the 1970s the Soviet analyst Evgeny Sveshnikov revitalised the system with new ideas; today the same position after 5…e5 is more commonly called the Sveshnikov Variation.

Illustrative Game

Lasker – Tarrasch, Ostend 1914 (excerpt):

Interesting Facts

In older literature you will often see “Pelikan–Lasker” or simply “Pelikan,” reflecting Pelikán’s extensive analysis done in Buenos Aires coffee-houses.
World Champions Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen both employed the line in youth events before switching to the improved Sveshnikov refinements.

Sicilian Defense: Sveshnikov Variation

Definition

The Sveshnikov Variation encompasses all modern continuations beginning with 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5, followed by the critical sequence
6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5.
It is a direct descendant of the Lasker-Pelikan, made theory-proof by Soviet GM Evgeny Sveshnikov and colleague Gennady Timoshchenko (Chelyabinsk 1974).

Main Line Tabia

After 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 White must decide between 11.exf5, 11.Bd3, or 11.c3.
The following diagram (after 10…f5) is considered the theoretical crossroads:

Strategic Themes

Dynamic imbalance: Doubled f-pawns and a weakened king position vs. superior development and the d5 outpost.
Piece coordination: The black light-squared bishop often reroutes to g7 or h6; rooks swing quickly to g- and f-files.
Endgame resourcefulness: Despite apparent pawn weaknesses, many minor-piece endings favour Black thanks to space and the two bishops.

Historical & Competitive Significance

Kasparov – Kramnik, Dos Hermanas 1996 was the first top-level game that convinced many elite players of the line’s soundness.
In the 2000s Vladimir Kramnik built an entire World Championship repertoire around the Sveshnikov, notably in his 2004 title defence against Peter Leko.
Carlsen – Anand, World Championship 2014, game 10, saw the Champion choose 7.Bg5 against Anand’s Sveshnikov under must-draw pressure.

Example Miniature

Shirov – Morozevich, Wijk aan Zee 1994 (23 moves): the Latvian tactician sacrificed on b5 and uncorked a rook lift to crush Black’s exposed king. The game became a staple in Sveshnikov primers.

Interesting Facts

The Sveshnikov was once thought dubious because of the d5 hole, but modern engines give Black full equality—or more—when played accurately.
In Russian opening nomenclature the line is also called the “Chelyabinsk Variation,” honouring the Siberian city where Sveshnikov’s study group met.
Italian GM Fabiano Caruana used the Sveshnikov exclusively with Black during his 2018 Candidates triumph, scoring an impressive +4 =10 –0.

Sicilian Defense: Novosibirsk Variation

Definition

The Novosibirsk Variation is a sharp sub-line of the Sveshnikov arising after
6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6.
Instead of the older 9…Qxf6, Black captures with the g-pawn, accepting a fractured pawn structure to obtain open files and accelerated kingside play. The line is named after the Siberian chess school centred in Novosibirsk that refined these ideas in the late 1970s.

Key Continuations

10. Nd5 f5 11. Bd3 Be6 12. Qh5 Bxd5 13. exd5 Ne7 – Black castles long and starts a pawn storm with …h5.
10. exf5 Bxf5 11. Nd5 Be6 12. c3 Bg7 – aiming for …O-O-O and rapid rook lifts.

Strategic & Tactical Features

Open g-file: After …gxf6 the rook often swings to g8, giving Black direct attacking chances against a white king on g1.
Central tension: The pawn duo f6-f5 bolsters the e4 outpost and creates tactical motifs based on …f4 or …e4.
Long-term king safety: If Black’s attack fizzles, the weakened pawn cover can become a liability, so precise play is essential.

Historical Notes

• The variation gained international attention when Novosibirsk master Valeriy Karpov (no relation to Anatoly) used it in the 1981 Soviet Championship.
• Evgeny Sveshnikov himself adopted the 9…gxf6 move, acknowledging that “my Siberian friends showed it is fully playable.”
• Modern engines rate the position as approximately equal, but highly unbalanced.

Model Fragment

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

The name “Novosibirsk” neatly complements the alternative name “Chelyabinsk” for the main Sveshnikov line—two Siberian chess hotbeds in friendly analytical rivalry.
Many club players first meet the variation through online blitz, where its surprise value and tactical richness score well for Black.
Because of the pawn structure, opposite-side castling occurs in over 70 % of games according to modern databases.