Sicilian: Hungarian, 3.c3 Bg7 4.d4 d5
Sicilian: Hungarian, 3.c3 Bg7 4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4 d5
Definition
The line 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 Bg7 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 d5 is a branch of the Sicilian Defence sometimes called the “Hungarian Variation.” It arises when Black combines the hyper-modern fianchetto (…g6, …Bg7) with an early central break …d5 against the Alapin (3. c3) set-up. After the exchange on d4, the game often transposes into structures that resemble the Exchange Variation of the King’s Indian Defence or even a reversed Caro-Kann.
Typical Move Order
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 Bg7 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 d5
Strategic Themes
- Immediate central confrontation. Black strikes with …d5 before White can consolidate the pawn chain with 5. exd5? Qxd5, equalising comfortably.
- Symmetry & transposition. After 6. exd5 Qxd5 7. Nc3, positions can transpose to the Accelerated Dragon, while 6. e5 leads to French-like space grabs.
- Isolated Queen’s Pawn (IQP) motifs. If the d-pawns are exchanged, White may be left with an isolated pawn on d4, offering dynamic play for both sides.
- Piece activity over pawn structure. Because so many central pawns are exchanged early, rapid development and control of open files (especially the d- and c-files) become paramount.
Plans for Each Side
- White
- Maintain a space advantage with e4–e5 if Black allows it.
- Exploit the half-open c-file with Rc1 and Nc3–b5 in some lines.
- If saddled with an IQP on d4, use it as a spearhead for piece activity (Bd3, Qe2, Rd1).
- Black
- Exchange pawns to reach an equal, simplified structure.
- Pressure d4 with …Nc6, …Bg4, and rook lifts to c8 or d8.
- In the middlegame, a minority attack with …b5–b4 can undermine White’s queenside.
Historical Notes
The label “Hungarian” dates back to analyses by Hungarian masters such as Lajos Portisch and András Adorján in the 1960s–70s, who sought reliable antidotes to the fashionable Alapin. Portisch employed the system against both Fischer (Havana Olympiad 1966) and Spassky (Wijk aan Zee 1967), showing that Black could neutralise White’s initiative with accurate play.
Illustrative Game
Radjabov – Leko, Wijk aan Zee 2003: a textbook demonstration of Black’s equalising plan.
- On move 11 …Qa5, Black sidesteps 12. Nb5 tricks.
- After the queen trade, Leko exploited the isolated d-pawn and achieved a rook ending a pawn up, although Radjabov ultimately swindled a win. The game highlights both the solidity and fighting chances inherent in the structure.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Mikhail Tal once quipped that playing 5…d5 is like “inviting your opponent to a draw by handshake,” emphasising the symmetrical nature of the structure—yet Tal himself used it to beat Portisch in Tallinn 1973!
- The variation is a favourite of correspondence players, who appreciate its concrete forcing lines that engines evaluate close to 0.00 but still leave ample room for human ingenuity.
- Because the position can arise from several different Sicilian branches (Alapin, Accelerated Dragon, Hyper-Accelerated Dragon), opening databases sometimes double-count the games; be sure to search by the specific move order if doing statistical prep.
When to Choose This Line
Pick the Hungarian Variation if you:
- Prefer a sound, theory-light defence against the Alapin (3. c3).
- Enjoy symmetrical pawn structures where piece activity makes the difference.
- Are comfortable trading queens early and grinding small endgame edges.
Summary
The sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 Bg7 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 d5 offers Black an immediate blow at the centre, aiming for quick equality and a structurally balanced game. While it lacks the razor-sharp tactics of the Najdorf or Dragon, its strategic clarity and transpositional flexibility make it a valuable weapon in any Sicilian player’s repertoire.