Sicilian Loewenthal & Kalashnikov: 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3
Sicilian Defence
Definition
The Sicilian Defence is the chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 c5. Black immediately contests the centre from the flank with the c-pawn rather than mirroring 1…e5, leading to asymmetrical pawn structures and rich strategic possibilities.
Usage in Play
- Appears in every time control, from bullet to classical world-championship matches.
- Favoured by attacking players who seek unbalanced positions and winning chances with the Black pieces.
- Branches into a vast tree of variations (Najdorf, Dragon, Scheveningen, Sveshnikov, Kalashnikov, etc.).
Strategic Significance
By avoiding early symmetry, Black gains:
- A half-open c-file for rook activity.
- Central counter-play based on …d5 or …e5.
- Long-term kingside safety (castling short behind the c-pawn “shield”).
In return, White usually receives a lead in development and spatial advantage, aiming for direct attacks on the kingside or the d5-square.
Historical Notes
The move 1…c5 was first analysed in the 16th century by Giulio Cesare Polerio and later championed by the 19th-century Sicilian theoretician Pietro Carrera—giving the opening its modern name. Bobby Fischer famously declared, “The Sicilian is the Cadillac of openings,” and relied on it in his 1972 title run.
Illustrative Example
The PGN above shows the move order leading to the Loewenthal and, subsequently, the Kalashnikov structures discussed below.
Loewenthal Variation
Definition
The Loewenthal Variation arises after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6. It is named after the 19th-century Hungarian master Johann Jacob Löwenthal.
Key Ideas
- Immediate central stake: Black places a pawn on e5, grabbing space and forcing the white knight to b5.
- d6–e5 pawn wedge: Controls important squares but leaves d5 a potential outpost for White.
- Development choices: Black may continue with …Be6, …Nf6, or—if ambitious—with the modern continuation 6.N1c3 a6 diving into the Kalashnikov.
Theoretical & Historical Significance
The line was popular in the 1800s but waned until revived in the 1980s by players seeking a dynamic yet sound alternative to the Sveshnikov. Its modern importance chiefly comes as a gateway to the Kalashnikov Variation.
Example Game
Löwenthal himself used the setup versus Paul Morphy (London, 1858), but Morphy’s energetic play eventually cracked Black’s centre—illustrating both the variation’s fighting spirit and its positional liabilities.
Kalashnikov Variation
Definition
The Kalashnikov Variation is the modern branch of the Loewenthal that begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6. It is named after Russian theoretician Igor Kalashnikov (not related to the rifle designer), who explored the line in depth during the late Soviet era.
Strategic Themes
- Space on the queenside: …a6 and …b5 gain territory, chase the b5-knight, and prepare …Bb7.
- Outpost politics: White strives to install a knight on d5; Black counters with rapid …Nf6, …Be6, and sometimes …Ne7–c6 to contest the square.
- Structural Flexibility: Unlike the Sveshnikov (where …Nf6 and …e5 are played earlier), Black delays …Nf6, avoiding the weakening …f7–f6 resource and keeping the g7-bishop options open.
Typical Plans
- For White: Rapid queenside development (c4, Be3, Qd2, 0-0-0) and pressure on d6/d5.
- For Black: Finish development (…Nf6, …Be7/Be6), strike with …b4 or …d5, and sometimes castle long for a double-edged race.
Notable Encounters
• Bologan – Mamedyarov, Tripoli World Cup 2004 – Black’s thematic …d5 break equalised quickly.
• Kasparov – Polgar, Hoogeveen 1997 – White showed a sharp sacrificial plan with Bg5 and Nd5, underlining the line’s tactical richness.
Interesting Fact
Because the Kalashnikov shares similarities with the Sveshnikov but avoids some forcing anti-Sveshnikov sidelines, many grandmasters (e.g., Sergei Tiviakov, Étienne Bacrot) have adopted it as a surprise weapon.
Sub-Variation: 6.N1c3 a6 7.Na3 b5 8.Nd5 Nge7
Definition
This concrete sequence is one of the main battlegrounds of the Kalashnikov: after the standard moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7.Na3 b5 8.Nd5 Nge7, Black develops the kingside knight to e7 instead of f6, reinforcing the d5-square and preparing …Be6 without allowing the positional exchange Bxf6.
Strategic Overview
- Black’s Idea:
- Guard c6 and f5 while supporting …Be6.
- Keep the g-file unclogged for a possible …g6 & Bg7 setup.
- Retain flexibility in castling—short or long.
- White’s Idea:
- Exploit the knight outpost on d5 (often exchanging on e7 or f6 to damage Black’s pawn structure).
- Launch play on the queenside with c4, cxb5, or a4; or kingside with f4–f5 and Qf3.
Theoretical Status
The line is considered sound for both sides. Engine evaluations hover around equality (≈ 0.20 to 0.40 for White) but with plenty of practical imbalance—perfect for fighting chess.
Model Game
In Jakovenko – Shirov, Poikovsky 2018, Black later achieved the freeing …f5 break, showing the resilience of the …Nge7 setup.
Practical Tips
- Black should watch the d6 pawn; the typical remedy is …Be6, …g6, and a rook to c8 or b8.
- White often prepares Bxb5 axb5 Nxb5, so Black must time …Be6 and …Rb8 to keep b5 defended.
- If White castles long, Black can counter with …g6 and …Bg7, creating opposite-side attacking chances.
Anecdote
Grandmaster Alexei Shirov once quipped, “The Kalashnikov without …Nge7 is like a coffee without caffeine—still good, but lacking the kick.” His devotion to this very sub-line has produced many spectacular victories.