Sicilian Rossolimo: 3...g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6

Sicilian Defense — Rossolimo Variation, 3…g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6

Definition

The line arises after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6. It is a sub-variation of the Rossolimo, an anti-Open-Sicilian system in which White immediately pins or exchanges the knight on c6 instead of playing 3.d4. The specific choice of 3…g6 signals Black’s intention to develop the king’s bishop to g7 (a Dragon-style fianchetto). After White’s capture on c6, Black recaptures with the d-pawn, accepting a damaged pawn structure in return for the bishop pair and central presence.

Typical Move Order

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 g6
4. Bxc6 dxc6

From here the game often continues 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Nd7 or 5.O-O Bg7 6.Re1 e5.

Strategic Themes

• Pawn Structure: Black’s doubled c-pawns (c5 & c6) and isolated a-pawn can become long-term weaknesses, but they also give Black a half-open d-file and extra central space.
• Bishop Pair vs. Structural Defect: White surrenders the light-squared bishop, hoping to exploit the pawn weaknesses, dark-square holes (d6, b6), and slower piece coordination.
• Control of d5: The square d5 is the critical outpost. If Black can achieve …d5 safely, the pawn structure heals; if White prevents it, Black’s c-pawns remain targets.
• King Safety: Both sides usually castle short, but opposite-side castling (White long, Black short) is possible and leads to double-edged play.

Plans for White

• Target the c5/c6 pawn complex with moves like c3, d4, Be3, Qe2, and potentially b4-b5.
• Occupy the central dark squares (d5, e4) with knights; Nd2-c4-e3-d5 maneuvers are common.
• Use rook lifts (Re1-e4-h4) or kingside pawn storms (h3-g4) against Black’s castled king.

Plans for Black

• Complete development smoothly: …Bg7, Nf6, Nd7, e5.
• Prepare the central break …d5, sometimes sacrificing a pawn to free the bishops.
• Exploit the bishop pair on long diagonals (Bc8-g4 or Bc8-e6, Bg7).
• Counter-attack on the queenside with …b6, Ba6 or …Qc7, Rb8, c4.

Historical & Practical Significance

• The Rossolimo was named after Russian-French GM Nikolai Rossolimo (1910-1975), who employed 3.Bb5 with great success against leading masters of his era.
• The 3…g6 move order gained traction in the 1980s when players sought to blend the Najdorf & Dragon ideas while avoiding White’s sharpest anti-Sicilian tests.
• Top grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, and Sergey Karjakin have adopted the line, especially in rapid and blitz, because of its solid yet flexible nature.

Illustrative Games

• Carlsen – Bacrot, Biel 2012
  – Carlsen demonstrates how timely central play plus pressure on c5/c6 can neutralize Black’s bishops.
• Giri – Anand, Candidates 2016
  – Anand equalizes comfortably and later wins after achieving …d5 and unleashing the bishop pair.

Example Position

After 5.O-O Bg7 6.Re1 e5 7.d3 Ne7 8.b3 O-O, the board might look like:
White eyes d5 while Black prepares …Bg4 and …f5.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The doubled c-pawns have inspired the tongue-in-cheek nickname “the snake’s tail” among club players: awkward-looking but liable to whip out with …c4 or …d5.
• GM Hikaru Nakamura once quipped on a stream that after 4…dxc6 “you basically get a Dragon without the Dragon problems,” referencing the absence of the sharp Yugoslav Attack lines.
• The structure is so resilient that computer engines often evaluate it as equal despite the ugly pawns—an early example of machine opinion reshaping human opening preferences.

Summary

The Rossolimo with 3…g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 is a quintessential imbalanced opening: Black’s damaged structure versus the bishop pair and dynamic central play. It offers rich middlegame possibilities for players who relish maneuvering battles spiced with tactical shots, making it a staple in modern grandmaster practice and a valuable weapon for club players tired of heavy Sicilian theory.