Paulsen Variation, Bastrikov Variation & English Attack

Sicilian Defense: Paulsen Variation

Definition

The Paulsen Variation is a family of Sicilian Defense lines characterised by Black’s flexible pawn structure with …e6 and the rapid development of the queen’s-side pieces. In modern opening manuals the name “Paulsen” (ECO B40-B49) is often used interchangeably with, or as an umbrella for, the Kan and Taimanov systems. A very common core position arises after:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7

Typical Move Order

Two main ways to reach the Paulsen structure:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 (Taimanov move order) 5. Nc3 Qc7 (…a6 is usually played soon).
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 (Kan move order; sometimes called the “Paulsen-Kan”).

Strategic Themes

Flexibility: Black delays committing the king’s-side pawn structure (…d6 or …d5 can both be played, depending on White’s set-up).
Control of d5: By holding back the d-pawn Black aims for …d5 in one move, equalising space.
Minor-Piece Manoeuvres: The c6-knight often hops to e5 or b4, while the light-squared bishop may develop to b4 or e7.
Unbalanced Play: The early …a6 denies White’s pieces the b5-square and prepares …b5, giving Black queenside expansion.

Historical & Notable Games

Paulsen – Morphy, New York 1857
One of the earliest practical demonstrations; Paulsen showed that delaying …d6 in favour of …e6 could yield a sound structure.
Karpov – Kasparov, World Championship (Seville) 1987, Game 16
Kasparov used the Paulsen to neutralise Karpov’s 1. e4, highlighting the line’s solidity at the highest level.

Illustrative Mini-Game

[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|e6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|a6| Nc3|Qc7|Be3|Nf6|f3|d5|exd5|Nxd5|Nxd5|exd5|Qd2|Be7|O-O-O|O-O ]]

Interesting Facts

The system is named after Louis Paulsen (1833-1891), a German-American master who was decades ahead of his time in emphasising flexibility and development over immediate pawn-grabbing.
Modern elite players such as Vishy Anand and Fabiano Caruana keep the Paulsen in their repertoires because it yields both solid and dynamic positions, depending on middlegame choice.

Sicilian Defense: Bastrikov Variation

Definition

The Bastrikov Variation (ECO B46) is a concrete sub-line of the Paulsen / Taimanov complex reached after Black adopts both …e6 and …Nf6, then places the queen’s knight on c6:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6

Origins of the Name

The line is named for the Soviet master Alexander Bastrikov (1920-1993), who analysed the system extensively in the 1950s when it was considered risky to develop the knight to c6 before securing the d-pawn.

Key Ideas

Immediate Piece Pressure: By bringing out the c6-knight, Black accelerates piece play but concedes that the d-pawn remains on its starting square, so White may try 6. Ndb5 or 6. Be2 followed by 7. O-O.
Flexible Pawn Breaks: Black can adopt either Scheveningen (…d6) or Taimanov (…d5) structures later, depending on circumstances.
Transpositional Weapon: The Bastrikov can transpose into well-known Najdorf or Scheveningen positions, often catching unprepared opponents who expect a pure Kan/Taimanov.

Main Continuations

6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bf4 e5 – White occupies b5 but Black hits the centre and obtains a Scheveningen-type set-up.
6. Be2 Bb4 7. O-O – Classical development where Black seeks pressure on e4 and the semi-open c-file.

Example: Short – Kasparov, Tilburg 1989

[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|e6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|Nf6|Nc3|Nc6|Be2|Bb4|O-O|O-O|Bg5|h6| Bh4|Bxc3|bxc3|g5|Bg3|Nxe4|Qd3|f5 ]]
Kasparov’s energetic 11…Bxc3! and 13…g5!? show how Black can seize the initiative despite White’s spatial edge.

Interesting Tidbits

Because it can transpose into many other Sicilians, the Bastrikov is a favourite of rapid-play specialists; unpredictability is its greatest asset.
In correspondence chess the variation holds an impressive drawing rate, indicating its theoretical soundness even with engines involved.

English Attack

Definition

The English Attack is a powerful white setup used primarily against the Najdorf (…a6) and Scheveningen (…e6 & …d6) Sicilians. Starting from the position after 5…a6 in the Najdorf, White plays:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 (followed by f3, Qd2, g4 and long castling).

Why “English”?

The plan was popularised in the 1980s by English grandmasters John Nunn, Nigel Short, and Julian Hodgson, who repeatedly demolished the Najdorf with this direct kingside thrust.

Typical Move Sequence (Najdorf)

6. Be3 e6 7. f3 Be7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O Nbd7 10. g4 b5 11. g5 b4

Strategic Themes

Opposite-Side Castling: Leads to mutual pawn storms where tempi are worth gold.
Pawn Roller g-h Pawns: White advances g4-g5 (sometimes h4-h5) to rip open the g-file.
Control of d5: The knight often lands on d5 after Bxc4 or via b4-d5 jumps, restricting Black’s counterplay.
Black’s Counterplay on the c-File: …b5-b4 and rook lifts to c8/c5 spearhead Black’s attack on White’s king.

Notable Examples

Anand – Kasparov, Linares 1993
Anand’s precise 18. h4!! showcased the attack’s fearsome potential in top-level practice.
Short – Timman, Candidates Match 1991
A textbook demonstration of the g-pawn thrust overwhelming Black’s king.
Machine vs. Human: Kasparov – Deep Blue (Philadelphia) 1996, Game 1 – Kasparov used the English Attack to score the very first win by a reigning World Champion against a computer in a match.

Model Mini-Game

[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|d6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|Nf6|Nc3|a6|Be3|e6|f3|b5|Qd2|Nbd7| g4|h6|O-O-O|Bb7|h4|b4|Nce2|d5|Nf4|dxe4|Nfxe6|fxe6|Nxe6|Qa5 ]]

Interesting Facts

The English Attack forced a paradigm shift in Najdorf theory; “old mainlines” with 6. …e5 virtually disappeared from elite play for over a decade.
Modern computer engines show that Black can survive with razor-thin accuracy, making the English Attack one of the most computer-tested battlegrounds in opening theory.
The same formation (Be3, f3, Qd2, g4) is now popular against other openings as well—e.g., the Accelerated Dragon and even some Caro-Kann lines—underscoring its universal attacking appeal.