Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations, Tartakower
Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations
Definition
“Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations” is a collective ECO heading (B50-B99) that covers the rich family of Sicilian lines that arose after 1. e4 c5, in which Black delays or dispenses with the early …Nc6 (as in the Classical) in favour of the flexible setup …d6, …Nf6 and—most characteristically— …a6. The epithet “Modern” originally referred to Najdorf’s 5…a6 idea (introduced in 1939, popularised in the 1950s), but by extension it now embraces all post-war main-line Sicilians such as the Najdorf, Scheveningen, Classical/Sozin hybrids and English Attack systems.
Typical Move-Order
The critical branching point occurs after:
- e4 c5
- Nf3 d6
- d4 cxd4
- Nxd4 Nf6
- Nc3 …
- 5…a6 – Najdorf “Modern” (ECO B90-B99)
- 5…e6 – Scheveningen structures, sometimes reached via Najdorf move-order (B80-B89)
- 5…g6 – Accelerated or Classical Dragon (B70-B79)
- 5…Nc6 – Classical systems (B60-B69) – technically no longer “Modern” but often included in the same volume
Strategic Themes
- Asymmetry & Counter-punching: By meeting 1.e4 with …c5, Black forgoes early central symmetry and plays for long-term queenside majority pressure (…b5, …b4) and piece activity.
- Delayed commitment: The move …a6 keeps the ♞b8 flexible and prevents White pieces from occupying b5.
- Kingside races: In Najdorf and Scheveningen structures, opposite-side castling leads to sharp pawn-storm battles (e.g. English Attack, Keres Attack).
- Central tension: Black often breaks with …d5 or …e5; White seeks e4–e5 or f4–f5 to cramp Black.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The diagram (Kasparov–Short, Manila 1992) shows the quintessential race: White storms g- and h-pawns toward Black’s king; Black expands on the queenside and prepares …d5. Kasparov eventually broke through on the kingside to win.
Historical Notes & Anecdotes
- The move 5…a6 was first used by Polish-Argentine GM Miguel Najdorf against Gligorić, Buenos Aires 1939, but it was not until Bobby Fischer (1960s) and Garry Kasparov (1980s-90s) that the Najdorf became the “Rolls-Royce of openings.”
- Kasparov’s legendary novelty 23…d5!! versus Topalov (Wijk aan Zee 1999) came from a Scheveningen move-order and is still studied today.
- Database statistics show the Najdorf is the most frequently played defence to 1.e4 at master level: .
When & Why to Use It
Choose the Modern Sicilian if you:
- Enjoy sharp, theoretical battles with long forcing lines.
- Are comfortable playing for a win with Black, accepting structural weaknesses (e.g., isolated a-pawn) for dynamic piece play.
- Don’t mind learning dozens of critical tabiyas and keeping up with modern engine novelties.
Famous Practitioners
Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, Vishy Anand, Veselin Topalov, and modern stars like Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Alireza Firouzja have all made the Modern Sicilian central to their repertoires.
Tartakower
Definition
Savielly (Xavier) Tartakower (1887-1956) was a Polish-Austrian-French grandmaster, witty journalist and opening theoretician. The surname “Tartakower” in chess literature may refer either to the man himself or to several opening systems he created or popularised (most notably the Tartakower Variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined).
Biographical Snapshot
- Born: Rostov-on-Don (then Russian Empire), raised in Galicia.
- Titles: International Grandmaster (1950, founding batch), Polish Champion (1935), French Champion (1953).
- Military service: Served in two world wars—famously joked: “The guns had the final say in my openings.”
- Pen-name: Wrote witty columns under the pseudonym “Anatole Fritz”.
Key Opening Contributions
- Tartakower (a.k.a. Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarevsky, TMB) Variation of the QGD
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 h6 6.Bh4 b6 - Tartakower Variation of the French 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 a6!?
- Tartakower (or “Tarrasch-Tartakower”) System vs. the Grünfeld 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4, etc.
Strategic & Historical Significance
In the QGD TMB line, Tartakower’s idea of …b6 followed by …Bb7 yields a rock-solid yet dynamic defence, freeing the c8-bishop without compromising pawn structure. The system became a mainstay in World Championship play—used by, among others, Botvinnik, Karpov and Anand—to neutralise White’s classical space advantage.
Example Game: Tartakower Variation in Action
[[Pgn| d4|d5|c4|e6|Nc3|Nf6|Bg5|Be7|e3|h6|Bh4|b6|cxd5|Nxd5|Bxe7|Qxe7|Nxd5|exd5|Rc1|O-O|Bd3|Be6|Nf3|c5, fen|rnbq1rk1|1pp2pp1|1p2b2p|2pPp3|6B1|3BPN2|PP3PP1|2R2RK1|, arrows|d5d4,d8h4|squares|d5,d4,f3 ]]Botvinnik-Smyslov, World Championship 1954 (⅔-Game 5) illustrates the classic themes: Black solves the light-squared bishop problem, strikes in the centre with …c5 and holds an impregnable position; the game was eventually drawn after 57 moves.
Quotable Quotes
- “The blunders are all there on the board, waiting to be made.” – Tartakower
- When asked why he smoked a pipe during play: “It replaces deep thought with thick smoke, confusing the opponent.”
Legacy
Tartakower’s love of paradox influenced the Hypermodern school, bridging the classical era of Capablanca and the dynamic, prophylactic style later refined by Nimzowitsch and Karpov. His book “Die Hypermoderne Schachpartie” (1924) remains a classic. A strong player into his 60s, he scored wins against three World Champions (Capablanca, Alekhine, Euwe) and mentored generations through his journalism.