Sicilian Rossolimo: 3...g6 4.O-O

Sicilian: Rossolimo, 3…g6 4.O-O

Definition

The sequence 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O marks a specific branch of the Rossolimo Variation of the Sicilian Defense. After White’s third-move bishop check (3.Bb5), Black chooses the fianchetto set-up with 3…g6. White answers with the natural kingside castling 4.O-O, entering a flexible middlegame in which piece play and pawn-structure subtleties outweigh early tactical clashes typical of main-line Open Sicilians.

Typical Move-Order

1. 1.e4 c5
2. 2.Nf3 Nc6
3. 3.Bb5 g6  — Black prepares …Bg7 and a robust dark-square strategy rather than the immediate …d6 or …e6 of other Sicilian lines.
4. 4.O-O  — White safeguards the king, keeps central options (c3, d4, or even Bxc6) and waits to see how Black arranges the center.

Strategic Themes

• Dark-square control: Black’s …g6 and …Bg7 aim at the d4-square and the long diagonal a1–h8.
• Bishop pair imbalance: Sooner or later White may trade B​b5 for N c6 (Bxc6), damaging Black’s queenside pawn structure (doubling the c-pawns) but yielding the bishop pair.
• Flexible center: Unlike open-sicilian lines beginning with 3.d4, White often keeps pawns on e4 and d2. Plans include c3 – d4, or playing for d3–f4 to seize kingside space.
• Asymmetrical plans:
  • Black may choose …e5 setups (…e7-e5, …Nge7, …d6) leading to Maroczy-style structures.
  • Alternatively Black can play …e6 and …Nge7, echoing Scheveningen ideas.
• Reduced theory, rich play: Compared with 3.d4, concrete forcing lines are fewer, so understanding pawn structures and piece manoeuvres is paramount.

Historical & Practical Significance

The Rossolimo (3.Bb5) rose to prominence as an antidote to the massive body of theory in the Open Sicilian. Grandmaster Nikolai Rossolimo (1910-1975) employed it extensively during the mid-20^th century. The specific fianchetto line with 3…g6 became fashionable in the 1990s, embraced by elite players such as Garry Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik, and more recently by Ian Nepomniachtchi and Fabiano Caruana. Its popularity stems from:

• Avoidance of heavily analysed Najdorf and Sveshnikov dossiers.
• The ability to transpose into solid Dragon-type structures without conceding early weaknesses.
• Practical surprise value—many e4-players prepare for 3.d4 main lines instead.

Illustrative Mini-Game

The following example shows typical ideas for both sides:

Highlights: White uses b2-b4 to open the b-file and provoke …Nxb4, gaining tempi for central expansion with c3-d4. Black aims for dark-square grip and counterplay along the long diagonal.

Model Games to Study

• Anand – Carlsen, World Championship 2013, Game 5: Magnus met Anand’s 3.Bb5 with 3…g6 and steered to an endgame showing the robustness of the setup.
• Kramnik – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999: A classic where White sacrificed a pawn for lasting pressure on the semi-open b- and e-files.
• Kasparov – Khalifman, Linares 1993: Demonstrates an early Bxc6 exchange followed by f2-f4 and a kingside initiative.

Typical Plans After 4.O-O

• For White
  • Bxc6 (doubling c-pawns) then d3-c3-d4, or f2-f4 expanding kingside.
  • Queenside pressure by doubling rooks on the b-file after b2-b4-b5.
  • Prophylaxis: h2-h3 limiting …Bg4 pins.
• For Black
  • …e5 and …Nge7 reaching a solid bind; later …d5 break if circumstances allow.
  • …e6 with …Nge7/…Nf6, striving for …d5 in one move.
  • If White delays c3, Black can sometimes counter with …Qb6 hitting b2 and d4.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• In the 2013 Candidates Tournament, Vladimir Kramnik used 3…g6 twice with success, helping him tie for first.
• Because Rossolimo founder Nikolai Rossolimo was also a Parisian taxi driver, practitioners sometimes joke they are “taking a cab” to avoid Najdorf theory.
• The line can transpose to a King’s Indian Defense if Black later plays …Nf6 and …d6 while White refrains from c2-c3.
• Computer engines initially evaluated the structure as slightly better for White due to pawn weaknesses, but modern neural-net engines regard it as dynamically balanced.

When to Choose This Line

Select the Rossolimo 3…g6 4.O-O if you wish to:

• Sidestep heavy Najdorf/Sveshnikov preparation.
• Play for complex positional struggles rather than sharp forced tactical battles.
• Retain chances to unbalance the game without massive theoretical homework.

Further Study Tips

• Analyze pawn-structure transformations after Bxc6.
• Memorize typical middle-game manoeuvres: Nd2-c4, Re1-e3-g3 for White; …Bg4 and …Nd4 hops for Black.
• Review endgames where Black’s bishop pair compensates for pawn weaknesses.

Mastering this variation gives both sides a rich playground for creative chess, far removed from the trodden paths of main-line Open Sicilians.