Sicilian: Taimanov, 5...a6 6.Be2 d6

Sicilian: Taimanov, 5...a6 6.Be2 d6

Definition

The phrase “Sicilian: Taimanov, 5...a6 6.Be2 d6” refers to a specific branch of the Sicilian Defence—a widely played response to 1.e4. In the Taimanov Variation (named after Soviet GM Mark Taimanov), Black delays early ...e6 or ...d6 in favour of a flexible setup with ...Nc6 and ...Qc7. The move order highlighted here stems from the position after:

  1. e4 c5
  2. Nf3 Nc6
  3. d4 cxd4
  4. Nxd4 Qc7
  5. Nc3 a6
  6. Be2 d6

The sequence 5...a6 followed by 6...d6 is one of several modern sidelines within the Taimanov, giving Black a Najdorf-like flavour while still preserving Taimanov flexibility.

Usage in Practical Play

Players employ this line when they wish to:

  • Keep options open for the dark-squared bishop (it might go to e7, d6, or even b4 depending on White’s setup).
  • Avoid the sharpest English Attack–style assaults that arise after 5...e6 lines where White can play Be3, Qd2, 0-0-0.
  • Borrow typical Najdorf ideas (...a6, ...e5) without fully committing to the Najdorf move order.

Strategic Themes

  • Pawn Structure: The central tension revolves around whether Black strikes with ...d5 (Taimanov spirit) or ...e5 (Najdorf spirit).
  • Piece Placement: • Black’s queen on c7 eyes the e5-square and helps recapture on c6 if needed. • The knight on c6 can hop to e5 or a5 once ...b5 is played. • The light-squared bishop often develops to e7, but sometimes to g7 after ...g6.
  • Flexibility vs. Commitment: By delaying ...e6, Black keeps the dark-squared bishop mobile, but must watch out for Nb5 ideas that hit c7 and d6.

Plans for White

After 6...d6, White typically chooses between:

  • 7.O-O followed by f4 or Be3/Qe1: solid king safety then kingside expansion.
  • 7.Be3 heading for a Scheveningen structure with f4/f5 when appropriate.
  • 7.Nxc6 Bxc6 8.Bf4 aiming at d6, but giving Black the bishop pair.

Plans for Black

  • ...Nf6 and rapid castling short; if Be3, consider the thematic break ...d5.
  • ...e6 and ...Be7/Bd6, solidifying a Scheveningen wall.
  • ...g6 & ...Bg7 for a hybrid Taimanov-Dragon setup (favoured by Kasparov in blitz).
  • Queenside expansion with ...b5, sometimes preceded by ...e5 to clamp d4.

Historical Significance

Mark Taimanov popularised the line in the 1960s and 70s, using the flexible queen move ...Qc7 to great effect against leading Soviet contemporaries. The specific 5...a6 wrinkle grew in popularity in the 1990s as players looked for ways to sidestep well-analysed mainlines. Top practitioners include:

  • Veselin Topalov – wielded it in several elite tournaments 2001-2005.
  • Peter Leko – known for deep theoretical work in the 2000s.
  • Garry Kasparov – experimented in rapid/blitz as an alternative to his beloved Najdorf.

Illustrative Game

The following miniature shows Black’s idea of delaying ...e6 and striking with ...d5 in one go:


Black’s central break ...d5 (not shown here) or ...e5 comes naturally, and the half-open c-file plus queenside majority provide counterplay.

Trivia & Anecdotes

  • Taimanov himself was also a world-class concert pianist; he likened the flexibility of his variation to “improvising in jazz rather than playing strict classical forms.”
  • The 5...a6 line occasionally transposes to the Kan (Paulsen) after ...e6 and ...Qc7, showing the porous borders between Sicilian sub-systems.
  • In computer opening books, the move 6.Be2 ranks only 4th in frequency after 6.Be3, 6.g3, and 6.Nxc6, yet it scores stubbornly well in human practice—an example of “anti-engine” pragmatism.

Related Systems

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Last updated 2025-07-13