Sicilian: Rossolimo, 3...g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1
Sicilian Defence – Rossolimo Variation: 3...g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1
Definition
The line arises after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1. It is a branch of the Rossolimo Variation (ECO B31) in the Sicilian Defence. By placing the rook on e1 White reinforces the e4-pawn, prepares c3 and d4, and keeps open the option of the thematic pawn sacrifice b4 after …e7-e5.
Typical Move Order
The critical early sequence is:
- 1.e4 c5
- 2.Nf3 Nc6
- 3.Bb5 g6 – Black fianchettoes the king’s bishop, steering away from the heavily analysed 3…d6 main line.
- 4.O-O Bg7
- 5.Re1 – the “Re1-system” of the Rossolimo.
Common continuations for Black include 5…e5, 5…Nf6, or 5…d6, each leading to distinct middlegame structures.
Strategic Ideas
-
For White
- Strengthen the centre with c3 & d4, sometimes preceded by the exchange Bxc6 to inflict structural damage.
- Exploit the e-file: after 5…e5?! 6.b4! cxb4 7.a3 White gains quick activity.
- Keep the f1-rook flexible (it will often slide to e1 later) and delay h3 or d3 until Black’s setup is clarified.
-
For Black
- Adopt a “Reverse Dragon” structure with …d6, …Nf6, …O-O and …Rb8, aiming for …b5 and queenside expansion.
- Play …e5 early to seize space, accepting the structural loosening after b2-b4.
- Maintain the bishop pair; if Bxc6 occurs, recapture with the d-pawn to open the dark-squared bishop and obtain the half-open d-file.
Historical Background
The Rossolimo (3.Bb5) was popularised by the Russian-American master Nicolas Rossolimo in the 1940s. The specific 5.Re1 plan gained prominence in the 1990s as players searched for ways to sidestep the ever-growing body of Open Sicilian theory. Modern elite grandmasters—Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Levon Aronian, and Hikaru Nakamura—regularly employ it as a low-maintenance yet venomous weapon.
Illustrative Games
-
Caruana – Carlsen, Sinquefield Cup 2014
Fabiano used 5.Re1 to score a memorable victory and start his historic 7-0 run. Carlsen chose 5…e5 and soon faced the sharp pawn sacrifice 6.b4!. -
Anand – Carlsen, World Championship (Game 6) 2014
Although Carlsen equalised, the Rossolimo again served as Anand’s effective anti-Sicilian weapon, demonstrating the line’s resilience at the highest level.
Try replaying the opening moves on the board:
Common Tactical Motifs
- b2-b4 Break: After …e5, the lever b4 undermines the c5-pawn and opens files for rooks.
- Exchange on c6: Bxc6 followed by d4 can leave Black with doubled c-pawns and a vulnerable d6-square.
- e5 Knight Forks: If Black’s knight lands on e5 (after …Nf6) White must watch out for forks on c4 & d3.
- Queen Swings to a4: With the c-file half-open, Qa4+ is a frequent resource targeting c6.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Magnus Carlsen scored +6 =5 -0 with White in this exact line between 2013 and 2020, prompting analysts to nickname it “The World-Champion System.”
- In blitz, Levon Aronian once joked that after 5.Re1 his autopilot plan is “c3-d4-h3-Be3-Qd2-Bh6, and if Black survives he deserves the half-point.”
- The variation is friendly to computer preparation: engines evaluate the starting position as roughly equal, yet practical results heavily favour White at club level due to Black’s structural decisions being easier to mishandle.
Further Exploration
Study model middlegames where White retains the bishop pair versus doubled c-pawns, and compare them with positions arising from the Open Sicilian with …d6. Understanding those contrasting pawn skeletons deepens appreciation of the Rossolimo’s strategic finesse.