Velimirovic Attack (Sozin)
Velimirovic Attack
Definition
The Velimirovic Attack is a ferociously aggressive system for White in the Classical Sicilian, arising after 1. e4 c5 and the Open Sicilian. It is most commonly reached via the Sozin setup with Bc4, and is characterized by White castling long (0-0-0) and launching a rapid kingside pawn storm with f4–f5 and g4–g5. The name honors Serbian grandmaster Dragoljub Velimirović, famed for his attacking brilliancies and theoretical work on this line in the 1970s. You will also see it called the Sozin–Velimirović Attack.
How it arises (typical move order)
A main tabiya comes from the Classical Sicilian:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Qe2 0-0 9. 0-0-0
From here White plans Bb3, f4, g4, Rhg1/Rhf1, and a direct assault on the black king. Black typically counters with ...a6, ...Qc7, ...b5, ...Na5, ...Bb7, and pressure along the c-file.
Explore a common tabiya:
What it aims to do (usage and plans)
White’s concept is simple and sharp: put the king on c1/c2 and throw pawns at Black’s king before Black’s counterplay down the c-file lands. Because both sides attack on opposite wings, the positions are highly tactical and tempo-sensitive.
- White’s plans:
- King safety: 0-0-0, place the king on b1 if needed.
- Pawn storm: f4–f5 and g4–g5 to rip open g- and f-files.
- Piece placement: Qe2–f2/h5, Rhg1 or Rhf1, Be3–b6 or h6 ideas, Nd5/Nf5 jumps.
- Tactical hits: Bxe6! sacrifices, Rxg7+, Nf5/Nd5 tactics to break the dark squares.
- Black’s counterplay:
- Queenside expansion: ...a6, ...b5, ...Bb7, ...Na5 hitting Bc4/Bb3, and ...Rc8 versus the c-file.
- Central resilience: ...e6, ...Be7, timely ...Nxd4 to trade a key attacker and reduce mating threats.
- King safety: anticipate sacrifices on e6 and g7; use ...Kh8, ...Rg8, or ...Re8 to blunt tactics.
Strategic and historical significance
The Velimirovic cemented the reputation of the Sozin systems as some of the sharpest anti-Sicilian weapons in classical chess. In the pre-engine era, it produced numerous spectacular wins for attacking players. Modern engines have equipped Black with reliable defensive resources (especially timely ...Nxd4 and queenside counterplay), so the line is rarer at elite level. Still, it remains a dangerous practical choice and a favorite in classical and faster time controls for players who thrive in double-edged positions.
Typical tactical motifs
- Bishop sacrifice on e6: Bxe6! fxe6 Qg4/Qh5 with mating nets on g7/h7.
- Exchange sacrifice on g7: Rxg7+! opening files and dragging the king into the open.
- Knight jumps: Nf5 or Nd5 to overload e7/e6/c7 and create forks or clearance for f5–f6.
- Pawn lever f5–f6: pries open the dark squares around Black’s king and deflects defenders from g7/h7.
- c-file duels: White must respect ...Rc8–c4 and sacrifices on c2; prophylaxis with Kb1, a3, and a well-timed Qd2 is common.
Illustrative sequences
Anti-Velimirovic idea for Black: immediate trades to blunt White’s attack.
Here Black has traded a pair of knights and hits along the c-file while White advances kingside pawns. Both sides race to land the first blow.
Move-order notes and transpositions
- 6...Qb6!? (the “Sozin, Qb6” line) aims to hit b2 and d4 early, steering play away from the pure Velimirovic. After 7. Nb3 e6 8. Be3 Qc7 9. Qe2 a6 10. 0-0-0, the same pawn storm ideas remain but with different nuances.
- Dragon detour: after 5...g6, the game can transpose to the Sozin vs Dragon. Don’t confuse with the Yugoslav Attack; move orders and pawn structures differ even if White still castles long and pushes g- and h-pawns.
- Black’s early ...Nxd4 and ...b5 is a key antidote. If White allows too many trades, attacking potential drops and Black’s queenside play becomes decisive.
Practical tips
- For White:
- Castle long only when you can meet ...b5–b4 with a concrete plan (a3, Na4, or counterstrike on the kingside).
- Coordinate pieces before pawn storms: get rooks on g- and f-files and the queen on f2/h4/h5.
- Calculate Bxe6! and Rxg7+ candidates whenever Black plays ...Re8, ...Kh8, or weakens light squares.
- For Black:
- Know the ...Nxd4 resource and typical follow-ups (...a6, ...b5, ...Bb7, ...Rc8).
- Hit the c-file quickly; threaten ...Rxc3 or ...Rc4 to fracture White’s shelter.
- Prophylaxis matters: consider ...Kh8, ...Rg8, and keeping a knight for f6/h5 squares to parry mating nets.
Examples to visualize
A classic Velimirovic setup after 9. 0-0-0 a6 10. Bb3 Qc7 11. g4:
White wants f4–f5 and g4–g5; Black replies with ...b5–b4 and ...Rc8. This is the quintessential race position.
Interesting facts
- Dragoljub Velimirović’s games in this line are celebrated for spectacular attacking sacrifices; his name became attached to the sharp 0-0-0 + pawn-storm approach within the Sozin.
- Though less common at the very top today, the line scores well at club level when Black is unfamiliar with the key defensive schemes.
- The Velimirovic shares DNA with the English Attack (Najdorf/Scheveningen) in spirit—long castling and pawn storms—but arises from the Classical Sicilian move order and uses an early Bc4.