Sicilian: Rossolimo 3...g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.c3 e5
Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Variation, 3…g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.c3 e5
Definition
The line arises after the moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 e5.
It is a branch of the Rossolimo Attack (named after the Russian-French-American master Nicolas Rossolimo) in the Sicilian Defense.
By playing 3…g6 Black fianchettoes the king-side bishop, aiming for dynamic counterplay, while 5…e5 stakes out central space and fixes the d4-square.
White’s early 5.c3 prepares d2–d4 and keeps the ♗b5 on the board, maintaining pressure on c6 and control of the light squares.
Typical Usage & Plans
- For White
- Break with d2–d4 to seize central space.
- Maintain the bishop on b5 to provoke …a6 followed by Bxc6, damaging Black’s queenside pawn structure.
- Use the c3-pawn to support a later b2–b4 queenside expansion.
- Exploit the d5-square, which often becomes an outpost for a knight after exchanges on c6.
- For Black
- Counter in the center with …e5 and …Nge7, creating a bind against d4.
- Utilize the g7-bishop and moves like …Nf6 or …Ne7 to pressure e4.
- Choose between flexible pawn structures: …d6 for a King’s-Indian-style setup, or …d5 breaks when timing allows.
- Keep the knight on c6 (if not provoked by Bxc6) to support …d4 breaks or queenside activity.
Strategic Significance
The 5…e5 thrust transforms the Rossolimo into a closed, strategic struggle rather than the razor-sharp open Sicilians. With the center locked, piece maneuvering, prophylaxis, and long-term pawn weaknesses gain prominence. White strives for a Maróczy-bind-like grip without having to commit to d4 immediately, while Black hopes the bishop pair and central control generate counterplay. Because neither side has castled queenside, pawn storms on opposite wings are less common; instead, subtle maneuvering and timely breaks (…d5 or d6-d5, d2-d4, b2-b4) decide the game.
Historical Context
Nicolas Rossolimo popularized 3.Bb5 against the Sicilian in the 1950s as a way to sidestep reams of theory in Open Sicilians. The modern fianchetto line with 3…g6 rose to prominence in the 1990s and 2000s when top Grandmasters—including Vishy Anand, Sergey Karjakin, and Magnus Carlsen—adopted it to avoid the heavily analysed Sveshnikov and Najdorf. The 2018 World Championship match (Carlsen–Caruana) saw a Rossolimo in eight of twelve classical games, underscoring its elite status.
Illustrative Game
Fabiano Caruana – Magnus Carlsen, Zürich Chess Challenge 2014
An early showcase in which Caruana employed the 5.c3 e5 structure, sacrificing a pawn for long-term pressure and winning with a kingside attack.
Common Tactical Themes
- c6-pin: The bishop on b5 pins the knight, making …d5 or …e5 breaks tactically tricky for Black.
- e4-pressure: After …Nf6 or …Ne7, Black may sacrifice a pawn with …d5 to open the long diagonal for the g7-bishop.
- Exchange sacrifice on f3: Black sometimes plays …Bxc3 followed by …Nge7 and …d5, giving up the bishop pair for structural equilibrium.
Notable Modern Practitioners
- Magnus Carlsen – uses the line regularly to avoid Najdorf/Dragon theory.
- Anish Giri – employs it as Black, often steering for solid middlegames.
- Hou Yifan – successful with both colors in elite events.
Interesting Facts
- The move 5.c3 was once considered “harmless,” but engines now rate it as one of White’s most challenging tries.
- 3.Bb5 was at first dubbed the “Moscow Variation” in databases; today “Rossolimo” covers both 3.Bb5+ (with …d6) and 3.Bb5 (with …Nc6).
- Because the line avoids early open-file exchanges, it is a favorite of rapid and blitz specialists looking to reach less-theoretical positions quickly.
Practical Tips
- White players should learn typical piece maneuvers (Nb1–d2–f1–e3/d5, Re1, h3-g4) rather than concrete forcing lines.
- Black must be alert to structural concessions after …a6 Bxc6 dxc6; the half-open d-file and weakened dark squares require accurate play.
- Watch for the thematic break …d5—if executed under favorable circumstances it often equalises instantly.