Sicilian Prins (Moscow), 5...e6
Sicilian: Prins (Moscow), 5…e6
Definition
The Sicilian Prins (Moscow) Variation arises after the moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 e6.
It is a branch of the Moscow Variation in which White uses the pawn on c4
to clamp the d5-square, while Black chooses the solid 5…e6, heading for a
Scheveningen or Hedgehog structure.
Typical Move-Order
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 e6
Strategic Ideas
- White
- Clamp on d5 and space edge on the queenside.
- Flexible king placement and a potential d2–d4 central break.
- Minor-piece manoeuvres toward b5, d5 and f5 squares.
- Black
- Classical Hedgehog pawn set-up: …a6, …b6, …d6, …e6.
- Delayed but explosive breaks …b5 or …d5.
- Keeping the bishop pair without structural weaknesses.
Historical Notes
Dutch master Egbert Prins championed 5.c4 in the 1930s, hence the name. The Moscow variation itself became fashionable in the 1990s—Kasparov employed it against both Karpov and Deep Blue—and today it remains a main line of anti-Sicilian theory.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Kramnik – Svidler, Dortmund 2001 (opening phase)
After 10…Nbd7 Black is ready for …Be7, …Be7, and a classic Hedgehog plan,
while White enjoys extra space and a grip on d5.
Typical Plans & Motifs
- Queenside expansion with a2-a3 and b2-b4.
- Timed central rupture d2-d4 (White) or …d6-d5 (Black).
- Hedgehog counter-strike: …b5! as a pawn lever often backed by …Rfc8.
- Exchanging the light-squared bishops can leave Black’s king safer— hence White sometimes avoids Be3 in favour of b2-b3 and Bb2.
Interesting Facts
- Because White trades the dark-squared bishop on move 4, the resulting middlegames feature unusual colour-complex imbalances for the Sicilian.
- Modern engines show near equality, yet practical results are sharply in White’s favour below master level because the Hedgehog requires accurate timing.
- The variation is popular in correspondence chess, where both sides can prepare long forcing lines before unleashing a central or queenside break.
When to Choose the Prins
Choose it as White if you like strategic space-gaining systems without heavy theory. Choose it as Black if you enjoy solid but counter-attacking Hedgehog positions and are comfortable defending a slightly cramped game before striking in the centre or on the queenside.