Sicilian: Taimanov 5...a6 6.Be3
Sicilian Defence: Taimanov Variation, 5...a6 6.Be3
Definition
The line arises from the Sicilian Defence after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3. It belongs to the Taimanov Variation (sometimes grouped with the Kan/Paulsen complex) in which Black delays or omits …d6, keeping the queen’s-bishop diagonal open and retaining great flexibility in the centre. The specific sub-line 5…a6 6.Be3 signals that White chooses a Scheveningen-style development (often with f3, Qd2, and long castling) while Black keeps multiple set-ups available (…Nf6, …Nge7, …b5, …Bb4, …d6, or the trendy …h5).
Typical Move Order
One of the most common sequences is:
- 1. e4 c5
- 2. Nf3 Nc6
- 3. d4 cxd4
- 4. Nxd4 Qc7 (the trademark Taimanov move; the queen eyes the e-file and keeps all minor pieces mobile)
- 5. Nc3 a6 (prevents Nb5 and prepares …b5)
- 6. Be3 (White develops and guards the d4-knight; sets up Qd2 and 0-0-0)
Transpositions are common; for example 4…e6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 gets to the same tabiya.
Eco code: B48 (also sometimes B46/B47 depending on Black’s follow-up).
Strategic Themes
- Black’s flexibility: By postponing …d6, the c8-bishop can emerge via …Bb4, …Bc5, or even …b5–…Bb7. Black can also choose where to place the king (…Nf6 and kingside castling or …Nge7 with long castling).
- White’s “English Attack” set-up: f3, Qd2, 0-0-0, and g4/h4 are typical. Without …d6 in place, the f1-bishop may sometimes head to e2 or c4 instead of the standard g2-square.
- Pawn breaks: Black aims for …b5 and/or …d5; White strives for g4-g5 or e4-e5. The central tension often lasts into the middlegame.
- Piece play: The knight jump to b5 is neutralised by 5…a6, but Nb3 or Nf5 ideas remain. Black’s queen on c7 both supports …d5 and applies latent pressure on c2 and e5.
Historical Context
The variation is named after GM Mark Taimanov, Soviet grandmaster, pianist, and Candidate challenger in the 1950s–60s. He used the early …Qc7 and …a6 structure to great effect, popularising it against 1.e4. In the 1980s the line experienced a renaissance thanks to players such as Kasparov, Short, and Dolmatov. In modern practice it remains a fighting choice for Black at all levels, with top players like Fabiano Caruana, Leinier Domínguez, and Anish Giri employing it.
Illustrative Example
The following miniature highlights both sides’ plans and a common tactical motif:
(T. Luther – A. Kveinys, European Team Ch., Debrecen 1992)
White’s ambitious set-up allowed Black a timely …d5 break and a subsequent
kingside-to-queenside switch of forces, illustrating the sharp double-edged nature of the
system.
Modern Evaluation & Theoretical Status
- Engines rate the position after 6.Be3 as roughly equal (≈0.10), but the human verdict is that both sides obtain rich chances.
- 6…Nf6, 6…e6, 6…e5, and 6…e6 7.Qd2 Nf6 are the main branches. The topical 6…e6 7.Qd2 Nf6 8.0-0-0 Bb4 forces immediate concrete play.
- Recent fashion sees Black playing …h5 in many lines to discourage g2-g4 (e.g., 6…h5!?), a modern twist enabled by the flexibility of the Taimanov.
Practical Tips
- For White: Do not drift—Black can equalise or seize the initiative with …d5. Time your kingside pawn storm to coincide with castling long.
- For Black: Know your move-order tricks. …Bb4+ can force concessions. If White delays f3, consider …Nf6 and …Bb4. If White castles queenside early, …b5-b4 is almost always thematic.
- Keep an eye on the d-file pins: the queen on c7 and bishop on e3 often stand opposite each other; tactics abound after …Nf6 and …Bb4.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Mark Taimanov famously qualified for the 1971 Candidates but lost 0-6 to Bobby Fischer. Taimanov joked that his two careers—chess and piano—were ruined by Fischer: “They took away my grand piano for having an anti-Soviet defeat.” Yet his opening lives on!
- Because of its hybrid nature, the line sometimes appears in opening books under three different names: Taimanov, Paulsen, or Kan, depending on the author’s bias.
- Engines at depth 50 have found drawing lines after 6.Be3 but only with razor-sharp precision. At club level, the imbalance of opposite-side pawn storms makes it one of the highest-scoring Sicilians for decisive results (≈70 % non-draw rate in Mega-Database).
Further Study
To deepen your understanding, replay classics such as Kasparov–Anand, Linares 1992 and Caruana–Giri, Wijk aan Zee 2020, both featuring the same 6.Be3 tabiya. Observe the evolving ideas in how Black handles …d5 and …b5 timing.