Sicilian Defense: Taimanov 6.Be3 a6 7.Bd3 8.O-O
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, 6.Be3 a6 7.Bd3 Nf6 8.O-O
Definition
This branch of the Sicilian Defense arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 – the classical Taimanov Variation. White’s continuation 6.Be3 followed by 7.Bd3 and safe castling on move 8 constitutes one of the modern main lines. In ECO it is usually catalogued under B48–B49.
Move-by-Move Starting Position
After the eight initial moves the pieces stand as follows:
• White: King g1, Queen d1, Rooks a1 f1, Knights d4 c3, Bishops e3 d3, pawns a2 b2 c2 d4 e4 f2 g2 h2
• Black: King e8, Queen c7, Rooks a8 h8, Knights c6 f6, Bishops f8 c8, pawns a6 b7 c5 d7 e6 f7 g7 h7
The asymmetric pawn structures signal an unbalanced, combative middlegame: White points his forces toward the kingside, while Black is poised for …b5 and counterplay on the queenside and centre.
Strategic Themes
- Flexible Schemes: By postponing …d6, Black keeps the light-squared bishop free and chooses between …Bb4, …Nf6, or even …h5 in some off-beat lines.
- Minor-Piece Placement: The bishop on d3 eyes the h7-square and supports a future e4–e5 thrust. Black’s knight on f6, however, hinders that advance and watches d5.
- Pawn Breaks: Typical breaks are f2-f4-f5 or g2-g4 for White versus …b5 and …d5 for Black.
- King Safety: White castles early; Black often waits, sometimes keeping his king in the centre until the queenside play clarifies.
Plans for Each Side
- White
- Rapid development and safe king.
- Advance f2-f4 (sometimes after Qe1–g3) targeting g7.
- Prepare e4-e5 or Nd5 when Black obliges with …d6.
- Occasionally switch to a minority attack with a2-a4 against …b5.
- Black
- …b5, …Bb7 and rook lifts (…Rg8 or …Rb8) to increase queenside pressure.
- Break in the centre with …d5 if White neglects control.
- Keep the king flexible: castle short, long, or stay in the middle depending on White’s setup.
Historical Context
Grandmaster Mark Taimanov began experimenting with the early …Qc7 setup in the 1950s. It gained new life in the 1980s when players such as Garry Kasparov, Alexander Beliavsky, and later Vishy Anand deployed it to sidestep Najdorf-heavy preparation. The specific 6.Be3 line became fashionable after the turn of the century thanks to its hybrid of English-Attack aggression and classical development.
Illustrative Games
Below are two well-known encounters featuring the 8.O-O position.
- Garry Kasparov – Alexander Beliavsky, Tilburg 1981 (Kasparov uncorked a fierce kingside thrust with 9.f4! and won in 28 moves).
- Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – Peter Svidler, FIDE GP Baku 2008 (Black struck in the centre with the thematic …d5, equalising and later winning an endgame).
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Mark Taimanov once joked that he never expected his “side-line” to become a mainstay of computer engines; modern engines love the flexibility of the …Qc7 setups.
- The move 7.Bd3 was popularised by Bobby Fischer as early as 1967, but he usually arrived at the position via the Kan (…a6 before …Qc7). Today the distinction between Kan and Taimanov often blurs after 6.Be3 a6.
- Because Black has not yet committed the d-pawn, the formation can transpose to Scheveningen or even Paulsen structures, giving both sides abundant move-order tricks—an opening-preparation minefield.
When to Choose This Line
Play 6.Be3 a6 7.Bd3 Nf6 8.O-O if you:
- Enjoy rich middlegames with chances for both flanks.
- Are comfortable navigating complex pawn structures rather than memorising forcing tactical lines like 6.Bg5.
- Want to keep opponents guessing – the Taimanov move order lets Black delay critical commitments, and for White it avoids the over-analysed English Attack (Be3, f3, Qd2, 0-0-0).