Sicilian: Taimanov, 6.Nxc6

Sicilian: Taimanov

Definition

The Taimanov Variation of the Sicilian Defence arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6. Black combines the flexible …e6 set-up (typical of the Scheveningen and Kan systems) with rapid queenside development, usually beginning with …Qc7 and …a6. The line is named for Soviet grandmaster Mark Taimanov (1926-2016), who explored it extensively in the 1950s-70s.

Typical Move Orders & Transpositions

A very common continuation is:

• 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 (main line)
• 5. Nc3 Qb6 (the Hennig variation)
• 5. Nc3 d6, transposing to a Scheveningen, or 5…Bb4 (Pin variation).

Because Black has delayed …d6, the Taimanov can transpose into the Kan (…a6 followed by …Qc7 without …Nc6) or the Scheveningen (with …d6)…giving the defence great move-order complexity.

Strategic Themes

• Flexibility: By keeping the d-pawn on d7, Black can choose between …d6, …d5, or even …b5 depending on White’s set-up.
• Piece Activity: The queen on c7 eyes the e5-square, facilitating …Nf6 and sometimes …d5 breaks.
• Pawn Structure: If White ever captures on c6 (6.Nxc6), Black gets the bishop pair and semi-open b- and c-files in compensation for doubled pawns.

Historical Significance

Taimanov popularised the line in the 1960s, scoring notable victories against Polugayevsky, Smyslov and others. Later, elite players such as Garry Kasparov, Peter Leko and Fabiano Caruana employed it as a main weapon versus 1.e4, helping the variation remain a critical test of opening theory.

Illustrative Game

[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|e6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|Nc6|Nc3|Qc7|Be2|a6|O-O|Nf6|Kh1|Bb4|Nxc6|bxc6|Bd3|d5|exd5|cxd5|Qe2|| fen|| ]]
Anand – Leko, Wijk aan Zee 2005. Anand chose the solid 6.Be2, but later exchanged on c6, highlighting the eternal tension between structure and activity in the Taimanov.

Interesting Facts

• Mark Taimanov once joked that his opening “plays more games than I do.”
• Because the name contains a colon, databases sometimes file it under “Sicilian-Taimanov” or ECO code B46-B49.
• In Fischer–Taimanov, Vancouver 1971 (Candidates), Taimanov did not play his namesake line, choosing instead the Nimzo-Indian as Black!

6.Nxc6 (Knight takes c6)

Definition

The move 6.Nxc6 signifies White capturing the black knight on c6 with a knight, typically in Sicilian structures (Taimanov, Sveshnikov, Classical, Kalashnikov). The capture doubles Black’s c-pawns (c7- and c6-) and gives White an immediate structural target in exchange for surrendering the knight pair.

How It Is Used

1. Structural Damage: White inflicts long-term pawn weaknesses, hoping to attack the isolated/doubled c-pawns later in the middlegame.
2. Control of d5: With Black’s c-pawn now on c6, the d5-square can become a permanent outpost for a white piece.
3. Piece Play: After …bxc6, Black gains the bishop pair and half-open b-file, creating dynamic counter-chances (…Rb8, …d5).

Typical Follow-Ups

• 7. Bd3 aiming at the h7-square and preparing kingside castling.
• 7. Qe2 and 8. g3–Bg2 (English Attack setups).
• 7. Be3 followed by f4, Qf3 and 0-0-0 in sharper lines.

Strategic/Historical Significance

The debate over 6.Nxc6 versus retreating the knight (e.g., 6.Nb3) mirrors the eternal “structure vs. activity” question in chess. In the 1980s the capture was considered somewhat harmless in the Sveshnikov, but modern engines have revived its reputation, showing that precise play can squeeze the doubled pawns effectively.

Example Position

After the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 White can choose:

6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 Nf6 8.O-O d5 – a quintessential Taimanov structure where both sides seek to prove their respective advantages.

Illustrative Game

[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|e6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|Nc6|Nc3|Qc7|Nxc6|dxc6|Bd3|Nf6|O-O|e5|Qe2|Be7|Kh1|O-O|f4|Bg4| fen|| arrows|d4f5,c6d4|squares|d4,f5,c6 ]]
Caruana – Giri, Candidates 2020-21. White’s 6.Nxc6 led to a tense positional battle where the doubled c-pawns ultimately became weaknesses in the endgame.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• In blitz and rapid, many players instinctively recapture with the b-pawn, but some lines recommend …dxc6 to keep the b-file closed.
• Magnus Carlsen briefly essayed 6.Nxc6 against the Sveshnikov in training games before the 2018 World Championship, but chose 7.Nd5 in the match itself—proof that the choice remains a matter of taste even at the highest level.
• The move has been played by virtually every World Champion from Botvinnik to Carlsen at least once in classical practice.