Sicilian, Taimanov, Szen, 6.c4 a6

Sicilian

Definition

The Sicilian Defence is the opening that begins 1. e4 c5. Black immediately contests the centre from the flank, creating an asymmetrical pawn structure that promises mutual chances for attack. It is the most popular reply to 1. e4 at every rating level.

Usage in Play

• Adopted by aggressive players who wish to avoid the more symmetrical Open Games after 1…e5.
• Provides Black with an unbalanced position, rich in tactical and strategic motifs, often leading to opposite-side castling and sharp middlegames.
• White customarily continues with 2. Nf3 and 3. d4, accepting an isolated or backward d-pawn in exchange for rapid development.

Strategic & Historical Significance

The Sicilian’s reputation for producing decisive results grew in the 20th century when it was adopted by world champions such as Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen. Its theory now spans hundreds of ECO codes (B20–B99).

Main Branches (ECO families)

1. Najdorf (5…a6) – favoured by Fischer & Kasparov.
2. Dragon (…g6 & …Bg7) – legendary attacking lines.
3. Taimanov / Kan / Paulsen (…e6, …Nc6, …Qc7/ …a6) – flexible structures.
4. Sveshnikov (…e5) – dynamic central tension.
5. Classical / Scheveningen (…e6 & …d6) – solid yet counter-punching.

Illustrative Example

Kasparov – Anand, World Championship (Game 11), New York 1995, showed Black’s counter-chances in the Najdorf:

Interesting Facts

• The name “Sicilian” first appeared in the 1594 Italian manuscript “Il Puttino” by Giulio Polerio.
• Over one-quarter of decisive grand-master games that start 1. e4 begin with 1…c5.
• AlphaZero’s 2018 self-play experiments frequently chose the Sicilian as Black, validating its modern theoretical standing.

Taimanov

Definition

The Taimanov Variation of the Sicilian Defence is reached after:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7

Named for Soviet Grandmaster Mark Taimanov (1926-2016), it combines the flexible …e6 pawn chain with rapid queenside development. Unlike the Najdorf, Black withholds …a6, keeping options open.

Typical Ideas for Black

• Delay …d6 to keep the dark-squared bishop free.
• Prepare …Nf6 and possibly …Bb4, pinning the c3-knight.
• Strike in the centre with …d5 in one move if White allows.

Major Set-ups for White

1. English Attack – 6. Be3 followed by f3, Qd2, and long castling.
2. Szen Variation – 6. c4 (see next section).
3. Bastrikov – 6. Ndb5 targeting the d6-square.

Sample Game

Caruana – Vachier-Lagrave, London 2015 (blitz) showed the razor-sharp nature of the English Attack against the Taimanov:

Interesting Tidbits

• Mark Taimanov introduced the line against Botvinnik in 1953, impressing the reigning World Champion with its flexibility.
• Because Black’s queen appears as early as move 5, practical players must be tactically alert to avoid tempo-gaining knight jumps like Nb5.

Szen

Definition

In modern opening literature the Szen Variation refers to the continuation:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. c4

The move 6. c4 grabs space, clamps down on …d5, and steers the game into Maroczy-Bind style structures. The line is named after the 19th-century Hungarian master József Szén, who championed early c-pawn advances against open Sicilians.

Strategic Themes

• Maroczy Bind: Pawns on c4 and e4 restrict Black’s central breaks.
• Slow positional squeeze versus Black’s attempts at pawn breaks …Nf6, …Bb4 or …g6.
• Delayed development: White often withholds Nc3-b5 ideas and castles kingside.

Typical Continuations

1. 6…a6 (covered in the next section).
2. 6…Nf6 7. Be2 Bb4 – challenging the c3-knight before it can support d5.
3. 6…g6 leading to hybrid Taimanov–Accelerated Dragon positions.

Historic Example

Taimanov – Botvinnik, USSR Ch. 1953:

Did You Know?

• In the pre-computer era the Szen Variation was considered “boring”; modern engines, however, find plenty of hidden tactical resources for both sides.
• The c-pawn advance mirrors Szén’s experiments in the Evans Gambit, where he also valued space-gaining pawn sacrifices.

6.c4 a6

Definition

6…a6 is Black’s most popular response to the Szen Variation of the Taimanov. The move order, therefore, runs:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. c4 a6

The immediate …a6 achieves several aims:

• Prevents Nb5 or Bb5 checks that would gain time on the queen.
• Prepares …Nf6 and sometimes …Ne5 without worrying about a knight fork on b5.
• Signals that Black may transpose into Hedgehog structures with …d6, …Be7, …0-0.

Plans for Both Sides

• White may reinforce the bind with 7. Be2, 7. Be3, or 7. Nc2, aiming for b3-Bb2 or f4-f5 pushes.
• Black often chooses a Hedgehog: pawns on a6, b6, d6, e6, with pieces lurking behind the pawn wall and counter-attacking with …b5 or …d5 breaks.

Theoretical Status

According to recent engine analysis the line remains fully playable for both colours. Grandmasters such as Anish Giri and Alexander Motylev have employed 6…a6 as a low-risk weapon to neutralise the Maroczy set-up.

Mini-Illustration

Anecdote

During the Russian Team Championship 2019, Daniil Dubov used 6…a6 as Black to defeat a well-prepared opponent who had expected him to enter the fashionable 6…Nf6 lines. After the game Dubov quipped, “Sometimes the best novelty is an old move that everybody has forgotten.”