Sicilian: Löwenthal, 5...a6, Queenswap

Sicilian: Löwenthal Variation

Definition

The Löwenthal (or Lowenthal) Variation is a branch of the Sicilian Defence that arises after the moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5.
Black’s immediate …e5 attacks the d4-knight and stakes out central space while conceding control of the d5-square. ECO classifies the line as B32.

Typical Move Order

The most common continuation is 5.Nb5 d6, after which play often continues 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3 b5, when both sides must decide where to develop their minor pieces and how to handle the permanently weak d5-square.

White tries to exploit the hole on d5 and the slightly loose queenside pawns.
Black gambits long-term squares for dynamic piece play, rapid development, and open lines for the bishops.

Strategic Themes

d5 Outpost. Because Black has played …e5 early, the d5-square can never be covered by a pawn. White often reroutes a knight there.
Queenside Expansion. Moves like …a6 and …b5 chase the knight and gain space on the queenside.
King Safety. Both sides usually castle kingside quickly; Black’s center expansion can leave the f7–square and diagonal a2-g8 slightly tender.
Piece Activity vs. Structural Weakness. Historically, this line epitomises the trade-off between active pieces (Black) and healthy pawn structure plus a safe outpost (White).

Historical Notes

Named after Hungarian-born master Johann Jacob Löwenthal (1810-1876), one of the strongest players of the mid-19th century and an early analyst of the Sicilian Defence. He popularised the variation in London clubs, and it soon appeared in the notebooks of Paul Morphy and Wilhelm Steinitz.

Illustrative Game

Johann Löwenthal – Paul Morphy, London 1858 (casual)

Morphy shows how energetic piece play can compensate for long-term weaknesses, sacrificing a pawn to unleash both bishops and ultimately deciding the game with a kingside attack.

Interesting Facts

Bobby Fischer used the Löwenthal as Black against Mario Bertok, Varna Olympiad 1962, winning in 25 moves.
The line sometimes transposes to the Kalashnikov or Sveshnikov if Black delays …e5 and plays …e6 first.
Modern engines still consider the variation fully sound, though the fashion has shifted to the Sveshnikov (…e5 on move 5 after …Nf6).

5…a6 (The Najdorf Move)

Definition

“5…a6” refers to Black’s fifth move in the main line of the Sicilian Defence:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6.
This single move defines the Najdorf Variation (ECO B90-B99), named after the charismatic Polish-Argentine grandmaster Miguel Najdorf.

Purpose of the Move

Prevents Nb5. Denies White’s knight access to b5, stopping ideas like Nd6+ or Bb5+.
Prepares …e5 or …b5. The pawn on a6 supports …b5, gaining queenside space and developing the bishop to b7, or shores up the center before a later …e5 thrust.
Keeps Options Open. Black has not yet committed the kingside bishop or pawn structure, maintaining enormous flexibility.

Main Strategic Plans

Scheveningen-style. If Black plays …e6 instead of …e5, the structure resembles the Scheveningen but with the bonus of …a6.
Classical …e5 Push. Clearing d6 for a bishop and grabbing central space, while accepting the d5-hole.
Queenside Counterplay. …b5, …Bb7, …Nbd7, and …Rc8 aim for breaks with …b4 or …d5.
Poisoned Pawn. After 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6, Black grabs the b2-pawn at the cost of entering ferociously sharp lines that still fascinate theoreticians.

Historical Significance

Introduced into top-level practice by Miguel Najdorf in the 1940s, the move became a cornerstone of modern opening theory. Practitioners include Bobby Fischer (who called it “the Cadillac of openings”), Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand, and Magnus Carlsen. Countless World Championship games have featured 5…a6, notably Kasparov – Anand, PCA 1995.

Illustrative Micro-Position

After 6.Be3 e6 7.f3 Be7 8.Qd2 O-O 9.g4 b5 the board is set for opposite-side attacks:
• White: kingside pawn storm g4-g5, h4-h5.
• Black: queenside advance …b5-b4, rook lift …Rc8-c5-h5.
Whoever lands first often wins.

Trivia

Najdorf’s original idea for …a6 emerged from correspondence games played on ocean liners between South America and Europe.
For decades the Najdorf was the most analysed opening in chess; whole books were dedicated to single sub-lines such as the Poisoned Pawn.
The move inspired similar “little pawn” prophylaxis in other openings (e.g., the Grünfeld’s …a6, the Ruy Lopez’s …a6, and even English Opening setups with a3).

Queenswap (Queen Exchange)

Definition

A queenswap is the exchange of queens, usually on the same square (e.g., 16.Qxd8 Rxd8), leading to a queenless middlegame or an immediate endgame. While “queen trade” is the more common term, “queenswap” is frequently used in commentary and online discussions.

Why Players Seek or Avoid It

Simplification. Trading queens reduces tactical complexity, helpful when defending a worse position or heading toward a technical win.
Endgame Transition. If one side has a structural or material edge, swapping queens can convert it into a favorable endgame.
King Safety. Under attack, exchanging queens can neutralize mating threats.
Attack Momentum. Conversely, the side with the initiative often avoids a queenswap to preserve attacking chances.

Strategic Guidelines

Evaluate the Resulting Endgame. Are you winning the pawn structure battle? Can your king enter?
Piece Activity Matters. An active minor-piece endgame may compensate for a small material deficit.
King Placement. If your king is already centralized, a queenswap favors you; if stuck on the back rank, think twice.
Pawn Majorities. A 4-vs-3 kingside majority becomes more potent without queens on the board.

Illustrative Example

In Kasparov – Karpov, World Ch. Moscow 1985 (Game 16), Karpov deliberately offered a queenswap on d7 to steer the game into a rook-and-minor-piece endgame that suited his strategic strengths. Kasparov declined, keeping queens to maintain attacking chances, and ultimately won.

Common Tactical Motifs

Zwischenzug. Before recapturing, insert a check or capture to improve the outcome of the swap.
Deflection. Force the enemy queen onto an unfavourable square, then trade.
Skewer Aftermath. A queenswap can leave the opposing rook, bishop, or knight exposed along the same line.

Fun Facts

The move 21.Qh8+!! in “The Polish Immortal” (Glucksberg – Najdorf, Warsaw 1929) offers a queenswap, but only to reveal a hidden mating net—proof that even a queen exchange can be spectacular.
Early software like Deep Blue was sometimes criticised for hasty queenswaps that diffused its attacking prospects—an issue later mitigated by deeper search depth.