Sicilian Pelikan–Chelyabinsk: 9.Nd5 Be7, 11.c3 Bg5

Sicilian Defence: Pelikan Variation

Definition

The Pelikan Variation is a branch of the Sicilian Defence that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6  5. Nc6 e5. By immediately striking at the knight on d4 with …e5, Black accepts a backward d-pawn and chronic dark-square weaknesses in return for active piece play and control of the central square d4. The line is named for the Czech-Argentine master Jiří (Jorge) Pelikán, who experimented with the idea in the early 1950s—two decades before Evgeny Sveshnikov popularised it at top level.

Usage in Chess

• Used as an uncompromising weapon to unbalance the position in search of full points.
• Favoured by dynamic players who are comfortable accepting structural defects for the sake of initiative.
• Often employed as a surprise choice, since many opponents prepare mainly for the more theoretical Najdorf or Classical Sicilians.

Strategic Significance

By playing …e5 so early Black:

• Gains space in the centre and prevents White’s natural d4–d5 break.
• Weakens the squares d5, d6 and f5, giving White clear outposts for knights.
• Obtains rapid development—Black’s minor pieces often swarm around the white king before White can fully exploit the holes.

Historical Notes & Anecdotes

• Pelikán’s original setup usually involved the move …Be7 rather than the modern …a6.  Evgeny Sveshnikov refined the variation in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to the dual naming “Sveshnikov / Pelikan.”
• World Champions from Kasparov to Carlsen have relied on the line, making it one of the few post-1960 openings to achieve “classic” status in record time.
• Because Chelyabinsk was the Siberian city where Sveshnikov’s team did much of their research, the Russian school often calls this entire complex the “Chelyabinsk” Sicilian.

Example Game

Kasparov – Kamsky, Linares 1994, featured Pelikan ideas and ended in a sparkling attack:

Sicilian Defence: Chelyabinsk Variation

Definition

The Chelyabinsk (or “Main-Line Sveshnikov”) Variation begins after the characteristic sequence 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5. The hallmark moves …a6 and …b5 kick the intrusive knight, seize queenside space, and prepare a dark-square bind with …Be6. It is the sharpest continuation of the Pelikan/Sveshnikov complex.

Typical Plans

1. Black
   • Plant a knight on d4 via …Be6, …Rc8, …Ne7, …Nf5, …d5.
   • Generate queenside counterplay with …b4, often sacrificing the b-pawn for activity.
   • Exploit the half-open f-file after the thematic exchange Bxf6 gxf6.
2. White
   • Occupy the d5 outpost with a knight, frequently supported by c2-c3 and Nc3-e2-c3.
   • Pressure the d6 pawn and dark squares with pieces and the move c4-c5.
   • Initiate kingside attacks exploiting the loosened black structure.

Historical & Practical Impact

When Anatoly Karpov first faced the Chelyabinsk in the 1980 Candidates’ Matches, he consulted Sveshnikov himself for guidance! The line’s reputation as a bullet-proof fighting choice was sealed when Magnus Carlsen drew on it multiple times in the 2018 World Championship match against Fabiano Caruana.

Model Game

Carlsen – Caruana, World Championship (game 8), London 2018:

9.Nd5 Be7 (Main-Line Branch)

Definition

After 8. Na3 b5 (Chelyabinsk) White places his knight on the juicy central outpost with 9. Nd5. The reply 9. …Be7 defends the f6-knight, breaks the pin on the e7-square, and prepares short castling. Alternatives for Black include 9. …Qa5 and 9. …Rb8, but 9. …Be7 is the gold-standard line played in the majority of grand-master encounters.

Strategic Ideas

• Black willingly concedes the bishop pair by inviting 10. Bxf6. In compensation he opens the g-file (if …gxf6) or keeps fluid minor-piece play (if …Bxf6) while the knight on d5 can be challenged later by …Be6, …Ne7 and …Nxd5.
• White decides whether to exchange on f6 immediately or delay it in order to increase the pressure on d6. The placement of White’s light-squared bishop after Bxf6 is a critical positional question.

Theory Snapshot (2024)

Engines assess the position after 9. …Be7 ≈ 0.00 with best play, reflecting the razor-thin balance. Many top players still venture into this line, confident they can out-prepare their opponents several moves down the forcing corridors.

Illustrative Mini-Line

11.c3 Bg5 (Modern Main Line)

Definition & Move Order

The sequence usually proceeds: 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 Bg5. White shores up the d4-square with 11. c3, creating the famous “Maróczy-like” clamp without giving up the option of Nc2–e3–d5. Black answers with 11. …Bg5, re-pinning the knight on f4 and eyeing the d2 square, while keeping open the possibility of …Ne7 and …Be6 to challenge the d5-knight.

Key Plans & Typical Continuations

• White
  • Play Nc2 followed by g3, h4 or Qh5, pressuring the kingside.
  • Push c4–c5 at the right moment to fracture Black’s pawn chain.
  • Redirect the a3-knight: Nc2–e3–d5 or sometimes a3–c2–e3.
• Black
  • Re-route the knight: …Ne7–g6 or …Ne7–xd5 to claw back control of d5.
  • Launch queenside pawn storms with …a5 and …b4.
  • Make tactical use of the semi-open f-file after eventual …gxf6.

Historical Example

Kramnik – Ivanchuk, Dortmund 1993, sprinted down this exact line and ended in a spectacular perpetual after both players hurled pieces at opposite kings.

Interesting Facts

• Sveshnikov himself once quipped that 11. c3 Bg5 is “the handshake before the street fight.”
• Modern engines suggest hidden resources for both sides several moves deep, making the position a fertile testing ground for state-of-the-art preparation.