Sicilian: Taimanov, 5.Be2

Sicilian: Taimanov

Definition

The Taimanov Variation of the Sicilian Defence arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6. Black postpones committing the kingside knight or the d-pawn, keeping the position flexible while exerting early pressure on the central light squares d4 and e5.

Typical Move Order

Standard sequence:

• 1. e4 c5
• 2. Nf3 e6
• 3. d4 cxd4
• 4. Nxd4 Nc6
• (White’s 5th move options include 5.Nc3, 5.Nb5, 5.Be2, 5.c4, 5.Bd3, and 5.f4)

Strategic Themes

• Flexibility: Until Black decides on ...d6, ...d5, or ...Nf6, pawn structure and piece placement remain fluid, allowing tailored responses to White’s setup.
• Harmonious Development: Black typically follows up with ...Qc7, ...a6, ...Nf6, and ...b5, developing quickly while preparing queenside expansion.
• Central Breaks: Black keeps the option of ...d5 in one move, challenging White’s centre without the loss of tempo that many other Sicilian lines entail.
• Transpositional Potential: Depending on subtle move-order choices, the game can drift into Scheveningen, Kan, or even classical Paulsen structures.

Historical Significance

Named after Soviet grandmaster and concert pianist Mark Taimanov, who used the line extensively from the 1950s onward. Taimanov’s adoption of an early ...Nc6 (without ...d6) was considered both modern and positionally sound, inspiring a generation of players, including Garry Kasparov and mvl, to add it to their repertoire.

Illustrative Game

Taimanov – Petrosian, USSR Ch. 1953
The originator demonstrated the flexibility of his system, meeting Petrosian’s queenside expansion with timely central counterplay to reach a dynamically balanced endgame. The game popularised the ...Qc7–...Nf6–...Bb4 idea.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Mark Taimanov lost 0–6 to Fischer in their 1971 Candidates’ match, yet his opening lives on in top-level practice.
• The variation was the subject of Kasparov’s famous “two bishops versus two knights” experiments against Anatoly Karpov in the late 1980s.
• Because ...e6 is played so early, the Taimanov is viewed as a cousin to the French Defence, but with a half-open c-file instead of a blocked centre.

Sicilian: Taimanov, 5.Be2

Definition

The 5.Be2 line is a quiet yet highly respected branch of the Taimanov Variation. After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Be2, White sidesteps the sharpest theoretical battles (5.Nc3, 5.Nb5, 5.c4) and prioritises solid development, kingside safety, and long-term structural pressure.

Exact Move Order

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Be2 (Black’s replies include 5…Qc7, 5…Nf6, 5…a6, or 5…d6, each steering play into slightly different but related setups.)

Why Choose 5.Be2?

• Versatility: White can castle quickly, delay Nc3, and retain the option of c2-c3 or c2-c4 based on Black’s setup.
• Anti-Theoretical Weapon: Neutralises many of Black’s most forcing lines; preparation requirements are modest compared with sharper systems like the English Attack.
• Shape of the Game: Often leads to Scheveningen-type structures where plans revolve around pawn breaks (f4–f5 or e4-e5) rather than immediate tactics.

Plans and Ideas

• For White
  1. Castle short swiftly (6.O-O).
  2. Prepare f2-f4, sometimes preceded by Nc3 and Be3.
  3. Utilise the d5-square for a knight after c2-c4 or c2-c3.
  4. Exploit the semi-open d-file with Rd1 once the queen exchanges occur.
• For Black
  1. Adopt the standard Taimanov setup: …Qc7, …a6, …Nf6, …d6.
  2. Break with …d5 in one move if White allows.
  3. Expand on the queenside with …b5 and possibly …Bb7–…b4.
  4. Target the e4 pawn after …Nf6, provoking f2-f3 which may limit White’s dynamic potential.

Model Game

Giri – Vachier-Lagrave, Croatia GCT Rapid 2019

Giri’s patient approach with 5.Be2 led to a middlegame dominated by central pressure and hooks against Black’s queenside pawns; he converted a small space advantage into a winning endgame.

Historical Perspective

Although overshadowed by sharper lines in the 1990s, 5.Be2 experienced a renaissance in the 2010s when Magnus Carlsen used it repeatedly in elite tournaments, valuing its resilience and low risk. Earlier practitioners include Anatoly Karpov, who favoured the bishop-to-e2 development for its strategic solidity.

Interesting Tidbits

• The move 5.Be2 can transpose to the Kan Sicilian if Black omits …Nc6 and plays …a6 early—an example of the Taimanov’s rich transpositional nature.
• English grandmaster Michael Adams has scored over 70% with 5.Be2 in classical games, making it one of his most trusted anti-Sicilian weapons.
• Because the dark-square bishop stays on c1 for a while, some grandmasters call this setup the “Delayed Karpov System” within the Sicilian.