Sicilian, Taimanov, Szen, 6.c4 Nf6

Sicilian

Definition

The Sicilian Defence is the reply 1…c5 to White’s first move 1.e4. By immediately contesting the d4–square and creating an asymmetrical pawn structure, Black avoids the mirror-image positions of 1…e5 and plays for dynamic counter-chances from the very first move.

Typical Move Order

1.e4 c5 is the only move that strictly defines the Sicilian. From that single branch, theory divides into dozens of named subsystems such as the Najdorf (…a6), Dragon (…g6 & …Bg7), Sveshnikov (…e5), and the Taimanov (…Nc6 & …e6), among others.

Strategic Significance

Creates a half-open c-file for Black’s heavy pieces.
Gives Black a spatial foothold on the queenside while ceding the centre to White for the moment.
Produces rich, unbalanced positions that often lead to opposite-side castling and sharp attacks.
Statistically the most successful defence to 1.e4 at master and grandmaster levels.

Historical Notes

The opening was analysed as early as the 16th century by Polerio and Greco, but only became fashionable after 1950 when players such as Miguel Najdorf, Bobby Fischer, and later Garry Kasparov adopted it as their main defence.

Illustrative Mini-Example

The first nine moves of a Najdorf illustrate many Sicilian ideas:

Interesting Facts

Garry Kasparov scored +17 =4 -0 with the Sicilian Najdorf in his 1985–1995 World Championship matches.
The opening’s name comes from Pietro Carrera’s 1630 treatise “Il Gioco degli Scacchi,” written in Sicily.

Taimanov

Definition

“Taimanov” most commonly refers to the Sicilian Taimanov Variation, named after Soviet grandmaster and concert pianist Mark Taimanov. The canonical move order is:

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

Key Ideas

Black keeps maximum flexibility by delaying …a6 (Najdorf) and …d6 (Scheveningen).
The queen often goes to c7 (…Qc7) so that …Nf6 can be met by Nc3b5 tactics being under control.
Structures can transpose into Scheveningen, Kan or even pure Najdorf lines, giving the variation a chameleon character.

Historical & Strategic Significance

Mark Taimanov used the line against world champions Botvinnik and Smyslov in the 1950s, but it rose to prominence after Garry Kasparov defeated Anatoly Karpov with it in Linares 1993. Modern engines rate the system as fully sound, making it a popular choice for players who want rich positions without memorising the extremely theoretical Najdorf.

Model Game

Kasparov – Karpov, Linares 1993

Interesting Tidbits

Mark Taimanov was also a world-class classical pianist; after losing 0–6 to Fischer in 1971 he quipped, “I won the audience prize for best musical performance.”
The ECO codes B46-B49 are reserved almost entirely for Taimanov sub-variations.

Szen

Definition

Szen (pronounced “Sen”) denotes the line 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4 in the King’s Gambit Accepted. It honours Hungarian master József Szén (1805-1857), who championed the idea of developing the bishop to c4 instead of the knight to f3.

Main Continuations

3… Qh4+ 4.Kf1 d6 (Classical Szen)
3… Nf6 4.Nc3 c6 (Modern defence)
3… d5!? 4.exd5 Qh4+ (the aggressive Szen Gambit)

Strategic Concepts

Quick pressure on f7 and control of the a2-g8 diagonal.
White delays Nf3, keeping the f-pawn mobile for potential f4-f5 thrusts, but at the cost of king safety.
Black often counters with …Qh4+ to force the white king to f1, producing uncastled middlegames rich in tactics.

Historical Anecdote

During the famous London 1851 tournament, Szén used his pet line to beat Howard Staunton in a casual game, delighting spectators who dubbed the bishop sortie “Szén’s surprise.”

Sample Mini-Game

Szén – Staunton (casual), London 1851

Interesting Facts

Szen’s original analyses pre-date modern opening theory and were published in hand-written notebooks circulated among the “Pest Chess Club.”
The variation is a favourite of creative attacking players such as Baadur Jobava, who revived it in online blitz events.

6.c4 Nf6

Definition & Move Order

The sequence 6.c4 Nf6 most commonly arises in the French Defence, Tarrasch Variation (Open System):

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Ngf3 Nc6 6.c4 Nf6

Positional Themes

Symmetry & Tension: Both sides have an isolated d-pawn in many lines, leading to IQP structures or symmetrical pawn chains.
Piece Play: White often aims for Bg5, Qb3, and 0-0-0, while Black counters with …Be7, …O-O, and pressure on d4.
Flexibility: The position can transpose into the Rubinstein or Guimard setups depending on Black’s subsequent pawn breaks (…dxc4, …cxd4, or …Bg4).

Illustrative Line

Historical & Practical Importance

Although overshadowed by the Winawer and Classical systems, the Tarrasch with 6.c4 Nf6 has been a reliable choice for positional players such as Ulf Andersson and Peter Leko, who appreciate the balanced but flexible pawn structure.

Interesting Anecdote

In the 2008 German Bundesliga, young Magnus Carlsen employed this exact move order against Daniel Fridman, steering the game into a complicated rook ending that he eventually won, demonstrating that even “quiet” French lines can produce rich play.