Sicilian, Chekhover: 4...Nf6 5.Nc3
Sicilian
Definition
The term “Sicilian” is shorthand for the Sicilian Defence, the opening that begins 1. e4 c5. By replying to White’s king-pawn opening with the c-pawn rather than the e-pawn, Black immediately creates an asymmetrical pawn structure and stakes a claim to the central d4-square from the side rather than head-on.
Usage in Play
The Sicilian is used at every level—from scholastic tournaments to World Championship matches—whenever Black wants to fight for a win instead of aiming for early symmetry and simplification. Its popularity is reflected in databases, where roughly one-third of all games that start with 1. e4 continue 1…c5.
Strategic & Historical Significance
- Imbalanced pawn structure: Black gains a queenside majority (c-, d- & e-pawns vs. White’s c- & d-pawns) while White enjoys a space advantage in the center and kingside.
- Rich theory: Dozens of major branches—Najdorf, Dragon, Scheveningen, Classical, Sveshnikov, Richter-Rauzer, Rossolimo, Alapin, et al.—each with unique strategic themes.
- World-Championship pedigree: From Botvinnik and Fischer, through Kasparov and Topalov, to modern stars like Carlsen and Firouzja, the Sicilian has been a mainstay of elite repertoires.
- Statistical punch: Database statistics consistently show the Sicilian as Black’s highest-scoring reply to 1. e4 (excluding fringe gambits), partly because the imbalance gives Black more chance to play for a win.
Illustrative Example
The “Starting Point” of many main-lines:
After 6…e6 the position can transpose into a Najdorf or Scheveningen depending on move order.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The first known description of the opening was by the Italian priest Pietro Carrera in 1617; the name “Sicilian” honors him and his native island.
- Bobby Fischer once called 1…c5 “the Cadillac of openings,” though he typically preferred open Sicilians as White and the Najdorf as Black.
- In Kasparov – Deep Blue, Game 1 (1997), Kasparov used a Najdorf to outplay the IBM super-computer, showing that even silicon struggles in the labyrinth of Sicilian theory.
- Statistically, opposite-side castling attacks occur more often in the Sicilian than in any other mainstream opening, adding to its tactical reputation.
Chekhover
Definition
“Chekhover” refers to the Chekhover Variation of the Sicilian Defence, named after the Russian master and endgame-study composer Vitaly Chekhover. It arises after:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4
Instead of the usual 4. Nxd4, White captures with the queen, immediately centralizing it.
Purpose & Strategic Ideas
- Sidestepping mainstream Najdorf/Scheveningen theory: By moving the queen early, White avoids many heavily-analysed lines dependent on a knight on d4.
- Rapid development vs. tempo loss: The centralized queen controls space, but Black gains tempo by attacking it (…Nc6, …Nf6, …a6).
- Tension on the d-file: After …Nc6 or …Nf6, Black often forces the queen to retreat to e3, d1, or a4, shaping the middlegame structure.
Main Branches After 4. Qxd4
- 4…Nc6 (the most popular) – leads to positions reminiscent of the Richter-Rauzer.
- 4…Nf6 – the focus of the next section; Black hits e4 immediately.
- 4…a6 – a Najdorf-style approach, waiting to decide the knight’s development.
Example Miniature
An instructive rapid game illustrating typical ideas:
Here White’s early queen never became a target; instead it joined a direct kingside assault.
Interesting Facts
- Vitaly Chekhover (1908-1965) is better known for his 1500+ endgame studies than for opening theory, yet his name lives on in this variation.
- The line was a surprise weapon for Anatoly Karpov in his youth; he employed it successfully in the 1969 USSR Junior Championship.
- Modern engines rate the Chekhover as playable but slightly less challenging for Black than main-line Open Sicilians—yet its surprise value keeps it in practical use.
4…Nf6 5.Nc3
Definition
“4…Nf6 5.Nc3” specifies the principal line of the Chekhover Variation after Black attacks the e4-pawn with the king’s knight. The full move order is:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3
White defends the attacked queen by shielding it with the c-knight and keeps central presence.
Strategic Themes
- Tempo debate: Black’s 4…Nf6 gains a tempo on the queen; White “returns” it by developing a piece (5. Nc3) rather than moving the queen again.
- Flexible queen retreat: Depending on Black’s reply, Qd4 may later drop back to e3, d1, or even h4, influencing pawn breaks.
- Transpositional possibilities: After 5…Nc6, the game can merge into lines resembling the Classical Sicilian or the Richter-Rauzer, but with subtle differences due to the queen’s placement.
Typical Continuations
- 5…Nc6 6.Bb5 – pins the knight, echoing the Rossolimo idea.
- 5…a6 – Najdorf-like; Black prepares …e5 or …b5, waiting to ask the queen where it will go.
- 5…g6 – steering into a Dragon-style fianchetto while the queen remains exposed.
Model Position
Black has the bishop pair; White has induced doubled pawns and is ready for long-side castling.
Historical & Practical Notes
- Tigran Petrosian used this move order in the 1974 Candidates Final vs. Viktor Korchnoi to sidestep Korchnoi’s Najdorf preparation, achieving a solid draw.
- Because the early queen discourages …e6 followed by …d5 (the queen eyes d6), many Black players choose setups with …g6 or …a6 instead.
- Engines evaluate the position after 5. Nc3 as roughly equal, but practical results favor the better-prepared side—surprises often occur because few players study this sub-line deeply.
Fun Fact
In the 2019 Titled Tuesday blitz event on Chess.com, Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky used this exact sequence to defeat several higher-rated opponents, demonstrating its value as a time-saving weapon in fast time controls.