How to Play the Rossolimo Variation of the Sicilian Defence
How to Play the Rossolimo Variation of the Sicilian Defence
The Rossolimo Variation is a popular and solid way for White to play against the Sicilian Defence, one of the most common and aggressive openings for Black. The Rossolimo Variation is characterized by the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, where White pins the black knight and aims to create a strong pawn center and pressure on the queenside. In this article, we will explore the main ideas and variations of this opening, as well as some examples from grandmaster games.
The Main Line: 3...g6
The most common response from Black is 3...g6, preparing to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop and control the center. White has several options here, but the main one is 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.O-O Bg7 6.Re1, followed by c3 and d4. White's plan is to open up the center and exploit Black's weak pawns and lack of space. Black can try to counterattack with moves like d5, f5, or Qb6, but White usually has enough resources to defend and maintain the initiative.
defensa siciliana variante rossolimo pdf 22
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Example: Carlsen vs. Anand, World Championship 2014
In this game, Magnus Carlsen, the world champion, used the Rossolimo Variation to defeat his challenger, Viswanathan Anand, in a crucial game of their match. Carlsen played very accurately and energetically, while Anand made some mistakes under pressure and lost a pawn. Carlsen then converted his advantage into a full point with precise technique.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.O-O Bg7 6.Re1 Nh6 7.c3 O-O 8.h3 f5 9.e5 Nf7 10.d4 cxd4 11.cxd4 c5 12.dxc5 Qc7 13.Nc3 Qxc5 14.Nd5 Bb7 15.Nf4 Qc7 16.e6 Nd8 17.exd7 e5 18.Ng5 exf4 19.Qb3+ Kh8 20.Re8 Qxd7 21.Rxf8+ Bxf8 22.Bxf4 h6 23.Rd1 Qe7 24.Rxd8 Rxd8 25.Nf7+ Kh7
26.Nxd8 Qe1+ 27.Kh2 Qe4 (see diagram)
In this position, Carlsen found a brilliant move that wins a pawn and simplifies the position: 28.Qxb7+! Qxb7 (28...Bg7 fails to 29.Qxe4 fxe4 30.Be5 Bxe5+ 31.g3 e3 32.fxe3 Bxb2 33.Nc6 a6 34.Kg2 Kg7 35.Kf3 Kf6 36.Ke4, winning) 29.Nxb7. Carlsen went on to win after a few more moves: 29...g5 30.Be5 Kg6 31.f4 gxf4 32.Bxf4 h5 33.Kg3 Be7 34.Kf3 h4 35.b3. Anand resigned.</
The Alternative: 3...e6
Another way for Black to play against the Rossolimo Variation is 3...e6, which has been used by many strong players, including Magnus Carlsen himself. This move allows Black to recapture with the d-pawn if White takes on c6, and also prepares to play d5 in one go. White can choose between several plans here, such as 4.O-O Nge7 5.c3 a6 6.Ba4 b5 7.Bc2 d5, or 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 a6 6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.c4 Qf6, or 4.b3 Nd4 5.Nxd4 cxd4 6.O-O a6 7.Bd3 Ne7. In all cases, Black has a solid position with chances to fight for equality or more.
Example: Carlsen vs. Kramnik, World Blitz Championship 2019
In this game, Carlsen faced his old rival Vladimir Kramnik in the blitz format. Carlsen opted for the move 4.b3, which is not very common but has some venom. Kramnik reacted well and obtained a comfortable position with active piece play. However, he blundered a pawn in the middlegame and Carlsen converted his advantage with his usual skill.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.b3 Nd4 5.Nxd4 cxd4 6.O-O Ne7 7.Bb2 Qb6 8.a4 a6 9.Bc4 Ng6 10.a5 Qc5 11.c3 dxc3 12.Nxc3 Be7 13.d4 Qg5 14.Bc1 Qh4 15.g3 Qh3 16.Re1 h5 (see diagram)
In this position, Kramnik made a mistake that cost him a pawn: 17.Bf1! Qg4 18.f3! Qg5 19.f4 Qf6 20.e5 Qf5 21.Bd3 Qg4 22.Be2 Qh3 23.Ne4. Carlsen went on to win after a few more moves: 23...h4 24.Bg4 hxg3 25.Bxh3 Rxh3 26.hxg3 b5 27.axb6 Bb7 0efd9a6b88
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