Sicilian, Taimanov – Definition & Overview
Sicilian
Definition
The Sicilian Defense is a chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 c5. Black immediately contests the d4 square and creates an asymmetrical pawn structure, leading to rich, double-edged positions. With thousands of independently named sub-variations, the Sicilian is the most popular response to 1. e4 at every rating level, from scholastic tournaments to World Championship matches.
Typical Usage in Play
- Chosen by players seeking winning chances with Black; the imbalance often avoids early simplification and draws.
- White usually follows up with 2. Nf3 and 3. d4, trading a c-pawn for Black’s d-pawn to obtain central space, while Black gains open lines and long-term counterplay.
- The opening branches after move two:
- Open Sicilian: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 (or …e6 / …Nc6) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4.
- Closed & Anti-Sicilians: 2. Nc3 (Closed), 2. c3 (Alapin), 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 (Rossolimo), etc.
Strategic Themes
- Imbalance & Counterattack: By refusing symmetry, Black seeks dynamic chances rather than immediate equality.
- Pawn Structures: Typical structures include the Scheveningen, Najdorf, Dragon, and Sveshnikov, each with distinct pawn lever plans (…d6–d5, …b5, …e6–e5, …f5, etc.).
- King Safety vs. Initiative: White often castles long and pushes the g-pawn (in the Yugoslav Attack) while Black castles short and counter-sacrifices on the queenside.
Historical Significance
The first known game with 1. …c5 dates back to 1594 (Giulio Cesare Polerio), but the Sicilian’s modern rise began with the Romantic-era player Louis Paulsen and later Mikhail Botvinnik. Its reputation as a fighting defense was cemented by Bobby Fischer, who declared, “Openings are like pickpockets; the Sicilian is the big thief of tempo.” Today, databases show that nearly a quarter of all master games featuring 1. e4 continue with 1. …c5, more than any other reply.
Illustrative Example
In Kasparov – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999, an Open Sicilian led to one of the most celebrated attacking games ever.
Kasparov’s eventual queen sacrifice 24. Qxa8!! erupted from the dynamic Najdorf structure.
Interesting Facts
- Computers love the Sicilian. In the 1997 Kasparov vs. Deep Blue match, the machine chose the Najdorf in three out of six games as Black.
- The opening is named after the Italian island of Sicily, where the 18th-century priest and theoretician Pietro Carrera analyzed 1. …c5 in his 1617 treatise.
- The highest-scoring variation by modern engines (depth 40+) is often the Sveshnikov (…e6, …Nc6, …Nf6, …e5), showing a near-egalitarian evaluation despite Black’s early pawn commitments.
Taimanov
Definition
“Taimanov” generally refers to the Taimanov Variation of the Sicilian Defense, characterized by the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6. Named after Soviet Grandmaster Mark Taimanov, the system blends flexibility with rapid development, postponing commitment to …d6 or …g6 while keeping pawn breaks in reserve.
How It Is Played
Typical continuations after 4. …Nc6 include:
- 5. Nc3 (Main Line) — Black can choose 5. …Qb6 (Kasparov Variation), 5. …d6 (transposing to Scheveningen setups), or 5. …Nf6 followed by …Bb4 (Pin Variation).
- 5. Nb5 (English Attack style) — White eyes the d6 square; Black replies 5. …d6 or 5. …a6.
- 5. c4 (Fischer–Sozin-like Maróczy Bind) — A positional clamp that limits Black’s …d5 break.
Strategic & Practical Ideas
- Piece Activity First: Black develops quickly (…Nc6, …Qb6, …Nf6, …Bb4) to pressure e4 and pin the c3 knight.
- Flexible Pawn Structure: By delaying …d6, Black keeps both …d5 and …b5 in the air, choosing structures based on White’s setup.
- King Safety Choices: Both sides often castle short, but opposite-side castling is common when White chooses the English Attack with f3, g4, and Qd2.
Historical Context
Mark Taimanov (1926-2016) was a Soviet GM, concert pianist, and Candidate for the World Championship. His theoretical work in the 1950s-70s popularized this variation; Taimanov himself used it to defeat Paul Keres (Zurich 1953) and Mikhail Tal (USSR Ch. 1956). After Fischer’s 6-0 victory over Taimanov in the 1971 Candidates, some believed the line refuted, but it roared back in the 1990s thanks to Garry Kasparov and computer analysis.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Example: Kasparov – Gelfand, Linares 1993
Kasparov’s novelty 11. Na3! steered the game into fresh waters; he later sacrificed a pawn for lasting pressure and won on move 34.
Interesting Facts
- Pianist on the Board: Mark Taimanov was an acclaimed concert pianist who sometimes scheduled tournaments around his performances, blending art and sport.
- Because 4. …Nc6 keeps Black’s dark-squared bishop inside the pawn chain, the Taimanov often transposes to the Kan (…a6, …Qc7) or Scheveningen setups—useful for repertoire flexibility.
- The modern engine-approved line 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Qc7!? (a waiting move) shows that theory is still evolving 70 + years after its debut.
Quick Reference Moves
Canonical move order:
- e4 c5
- Nf3 e6
- d4 cxd4
- Nxd4 Nc6
- Nc3 (or 5. Nb5 / 5. c4) …