C3 Sicilian [B22]

Written by IM Gary Lane

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The c3 Sicilian is a fairly straightforward way of combating the Sicilian with the
opening sequence 1 e4 c5 2 c3. White's basic idea is to take over the centre with d4
followed by smoothly developing his pieces. It sounds great but Black can choose to sit
back and try to undermine the centre at a later date or immediately challenge White's bid for
a space advantage.
Attakinsky and Defendarov
The opening is also known in older sources as Alapin's Variation. This was a tribute
to the opening's expert Semyon Zinovievich Alapin (1856-1923) who was a top class player
whose results included fifth place at the prestigious Monte Carlo tournament in 1901 and
first at Munich 1911 in front of strong players such as Spielmann and Fahrni. His writings
on openings and his analysis on the c3 Sicilian attracted a lot of comment. My thanks to the
historians David Hooper and Ken Whyld for the knowledge that he tended to illustrate his
ideas with made up games between Attakinsky who was always White and Defendarov who
played Black. It is not clear why the name faded from the openings books but it is hardly
ever used nowadays.
Groan on...
In my experience players of the Black pieces play the Sicilian for aggressive,
doubled−edged games where they have reasonable odds of winning. After seeing 2 c3 they
tend to groan as White can steer the game to a quieter, solid, positional type of game where
admittedly tactics are still an option. It is certainly difficult for Black to break White down
despite the efforts of the best theoreticians around the world. An opening that is ideal for
club players is rare but one that has also been used to defeat the World Champion is
exceptional. Kasparov has faced difficulties against 2 c3 mainly because it hampers his
naturally attacking stance, which was evident in his 1996 loss against the computer Deep
Blue.
Elite club
So does anyone good play the opening amongst the world's elite? Well, Adams,
Kramnik, Nunn and J.Polgar have all added it to their opening repertoires with impressive
results. The c3 Sicilian means that your opening is on the board after just two moves.
Sicilian players cannot avoid it but they dislike being dictated to by White who can enter
positional lines or choose to start complications. A good choice for all levels of player.

2
 Contents

1 e4 c5 2 c3
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2...d5
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2...e5 C3 Sicilian−2...e5
2...e6 3 d4 d5 C3 Sicilain−2...e6 French Defence set−up
2...£a5 C3 Sicilian−2...Qa5
2...d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 cxd4 ¤f6 5 ¤c3 e6 6 ¤f3 ¥e7 7 ¥d3 0-0 8 0-0 ¤c6 C3 Sicilian −
Systems with ...e6 and ....d6(8...b6 C3 Sicilian−2...d6)
2...b6 C3 Sicilian −2...b6
2...¤f6 3 e5 ¤d5

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4 d4 (4 g3 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6−4 g3) 4...cxd4 5 ¤f3 (5 £xd4 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6−3 e5 Nd5 4

d4 cxd4 5 Qxd4 5 cxd4 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6−3 e5 Nd5 4 d4 cxd4 5 cxd4)
a) 5...e6 6 cxd4 b6 (6...¤c6 7 ¤c3 ¤xc3 8 bxc3 d6 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6−5...e6, queenside
fianchetto) 7 ¥d3 ¥b7 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6−5...e6 6 cxd4 b6
b) 5...¤c6 6 ¥c4 ¤b6 7 ¥b3 d5 8 exd6 £xd6 (8...dxc3 9 ¤xc3 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6−Main line
6 Bc4 and ...dxc3) 9 0-0 (9 ¤a3 a6 10 0-0 ¥e6 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6−Main line 6 Bc4 and
10...Be6) 9...g6 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6−Main line 6 Bc4 and 9...g6(9...¥e6 C3 Sicilian
2...Nf6−Main line 6 Bc4 and 9...Be6)

3 exd5 £xd5
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3...¤f6 C3 Sicilian 2...d5−3 exd5 Nf6

4 d4 ¤f6
4...g6 C3 Sicilian 2...d5−3 exd5 Qxd5 4 d4 g6
4...cxd4 5 cxd4 e5 C3 Sicilian 2...d5−4 d4 cxd4 5 cxd4 e5
4...e6 5 ¤f3 ¤f6 (5...¤c6 6 ¤a3 C3 Sicilian 2...d5−Main line 6 Na3) 6 ¥e3 (6 ¥e2 C3 Sicilian
2...d5−Main line 6 Be2) 6...cxd4 7 cxd4 C3 Sicilian 2...d5−Main line 6 Be3

5 ¤f3 ¥g4
5...g6 C3 Sicilian 2...d5−5...g6

6 ¥e2
6 ¤bd2 C3 Sicilian 2...d5−5 Nf3 Bg4 6 Nbd2

4
6 £a4+ C3 Sicilian 2...d5−5 Nf3 Bg4 6 Qa4+
6 dxc5 C3 Sicilian 2...d5−5 Nf3 Bg4 6 dxc5

6...e6
C3 Sicilian 2...d5−5 Nf3 Bg4 6 Be2

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5
 C3 Sicilian − 2...e5 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 e5
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3 ¤f3
3 ¥c4 d6 I do not like this move because it is not in keeping with the modern way of
handling the position. 4 ¤f3 h6?! An obvious way to stop Ng5 so White must be
prepared to meet it from time to time. 5 d4 cxd4 6 cxd4 exd4 7 ¤xd4 ¤c6 8 ¤c3 a6
9 ¥e3 White has a lead in development. There is a an old saying that when someone
is positionally better then tactics are just around the corner, Westerweele,H−
Kabboord,J/Vlissingen 1999

3...¤c6 4 ¥c4
4 ¥b5 White decides to treat the position in the style of a Ruy Lopez which is more
commonly seen after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5. 4...a6 5 ¥a4 I prefer to take the
knight because in the Ruy Lopez, Black often has to play ...Na5 and then ...c5 but
here he has already achieved one of his ambitions. 5...b5 6 ¥c2 £c7 7 0-0 d6 8 d3 g6
A good idea by the Irishman to fianchetto because it is particularly effective against
the Closed Ruy Lopez which is identified by an early d3, Cau,B−Collins,S/Bruges
BEL 1999

4...£c7

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A key move which has helped to revive the entire line for Black. The idea is to meet Ng5
with Nd8.

5 d3
5 ¤g5 ¤d8 is Alexander Filipenko's idea to reduce the pressure on f7. This is followed up
by ...h6 or ...Ne6.
5 0-0 ¤f6 6 ¤g5 ¤d8 7 £b3 A typical response to add pressure against the f7 pawn.
7...¤e6 The only move but it solves the immediate problem of defending f7,
Kun,G−Jamrich,G/Budapest HUN 1999

5...¤f6 6 ¤g5 ¤d8 7 f4

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The position has similarities to a King's Gambit which is not really the sort of thing a
Sicilian player is happy to confront.

7...exf4 8 0-0 ¥d6!?

It looks odd but this is a favourite response by Black in the position.

7
9 ¤a3
White gains time by threatening Nb5 which is considered on an old game.

9...a6 10 ¥b3 b5 11 d4
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White has a clear threat with e4−e5 forking the black pieces and is also still keen to take
back on f4, Filipovic,Br−Markovic,Zo/Vrnjacka Banja 1999

8
 C3 Sicilian − 2...e6 French Defence set−

up [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 e6
There is an argument that 2...e6 is one of the soundest choices for Black by preparing to
transpose into the French Defence. Then again, if you enjoy playing the Sicilian,
then the French is not everyone's taste.

3 d4
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3 ¤f3 d5 4 exd5 exd5 5 d4 ¤c6 6 ¥e3 White wishes to sort out what is happening in the
centre before deciding where to develop the rest of his forces. 6...cxd4 7 ¤xd4 The
position has a strong similarity to the Tarrasch variation in the French Defence.
White has a very solid position with the long−term plan of maintaining a piece
blockade on d4 and then undermining the d5 pawn. 7...¥d6 8 ¥e2 ¤ge7 9 0-0 0-0 10
¤d2 This solid, resourceful line is idea for a long game played in Gausdal. This is
because there are few distractions at the Norwegian venue which is in the only hotel
at the top of an isolated mountain ski resort. When I played someone helpfully
pointed−out that at least there was a disco. I was quite impressed until I realised that
it was closed. Perfect conditions for concentrating on the chess, Karpatchev,A−
Lyrberg,P/Gausdal 1993.

9
3...d5 4 exd5
Black must be ready to meet 4 e5 which transposes to the Advance French.

4...exd5 5 ¥e3
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5...cxd4 6 ¥xd4 ¤c6 7 ¥b5 a6 8 ¥a4 b5 9 ¥b3 ¤xd4 10 £xd4 ¤f6 11 ¤e2
¥d6!
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Black displays commendable understanding of the position. He knows that if he is not

careful his lower rated opponent will stifle the position guaranteeing drawing
chances. Therefore, he tempts White into entering a variation where he can snatch a
pawn, Varley,P−King,D/4NCL British League 1999.

10
 C3 Sicilian − 2...Qa5 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 £a5
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3 ¤a3
To put a knight on the edge of the board after just three moves looks strange but then again
Black is hardly playing along traditional lines.

3...g6 4 d4 cxd4?
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It is hardly surprising that Obsivac didn't realise that on move four he could go so wrong.

11
5 ¤c4
The knights performs its intended role to knock back the queen which usually means White
will take back on d4 with the pawn.

5...£d8 6 £xd4 ¤f6 7 ¥g5 ¥g7 8 e5

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with a much better position for White, Kernazhitsky,L−Obsivac,J/Valoz Cup Olomouc

CZE 1999.

12
 C3 Sicilian − 2...d6 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d6
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A good way for Black to avoid the main lines. He concedes the centre but hopes to later
undermine the pawns on d4 and e4.

3 d4 cxd4
3...¤d7 4 ¤f3 e6 5 ¥d3 ¥e7 6 0-0 b6 7 ¥f4 ¥b7 8 ¤bd2 ¦c8 9 ¦e1?
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when the challenge is to discover why that plausible−looking move is in fact a serious
error, Delchev,A−Mrva,M/Zonal Tournament, Budapest 2000

13
3...¤f6 4 ¥d3 cxd4 5 cxd4 ¤c6 6 ¤e2!? A rarely played move but it is worth investigating.
The so called 'normal' move is Nf3 which is fine but Black can play 6...Bg4 instantly
and try to undermine the centre. With the text move 6...Bg4 is a waste of time as 7 f3
breaks the pin and helps White to achieve his desired pawn structure. White has the
option of castling kingside with a space advantage or even adopting a set−up which
is similar to the aggressive Sämisch variation in the King's Indian Defence.
Basically, White's plan is Nc3, f3, Be3, Qd2,0-0-0 and push the kingside pawns. The
only drawback is the open c−file which gives Black counterplay. 6...g6 7 ¤bc3 ¥g7
8 0-0 0-0 9 h3!? e5 10 d5 ¤d4!? A calculated gamble in the knowledge that if White
exchanges on d4 it is not so easy to round up the pawn without compromising the
position, Finkel,A−Maryasin,B/Israel 1997.

4 cxd4 ¤f6 5 ¤c3 e6 6 ¤f3

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I think White is already a little better here. It is easy to develop the pieces and quickly
castle. The advantage of the central pawns means that Garcia has more room for
manoeuvring and the advance e5 is always likely to oust the defender of h7.

6...¥e7 7 ¥d3 0-0 8 0-0 b6 9 e5 ¤d5 10 ¤e4 h6 11 ¥b1

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14
White is very obvious about his intention to put the queen on the b1-h7 diagonal, Jario
Garcia,R−Bayood,A/ Spanish Team Championship 1999.

15
 C3 Sicilian − 2...b6 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 b6
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A set−up which concedes the centre in order to quickly fianchetto the queen's bishop. The
variations are often similar to the Owen's Defence which normally occurs after 1 e4
b6.

3 d4 ¥b7
3...cxd4!? I don't think this is how Black should handle the opening. The capture in the
centre release the tension and crucially it allows White to smoothly develop the
queen's knight to c3 instead of the usual d2 square. 4 cxd4 ¥b7 5 ¤c3 e6 6 ¥d3 ¤f6
7 ¤ge2 ¥e7 8 0-0 0-0 9 ¤g3 ¥a6 10 ¥xa6 ¤xa6 11 e5 ¤e8 12 d5 gave White
reasonable play in Riemens,A−Van Mechelen,J/Antwerp 1997.

4 ¥d3

16
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White develops a piece and defends the e−pawn.

4...¤f6
4...cxd4 5 cxd4 ¤c6 6 d5 A positive reaction to a tricky move−order. 6...¤b4 7 ¥e2 e6 8 a3
¤a6 The opening has gone wrong for Black who has a knight on the edge of the
board where it can exert little influence. 9 ¤c3 ¤f6 10 ¥f3
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The bishop supports the d−pawn and more importantly releases the e2 square for the king's
knight to occupy, Winants,L−Lupu,S/Val Thorens 1994.

5 £e2
5 ¤d2 cxd4 6 cxd4 ¤c6 7 ¤gf3 ¤b4 8 ¥b1 ¥a6 This is the sort of position that Black
wants when playing 2...b6 against the C3 Sicilian. 9 ¤f1 e6 10 a3 ¤c6 11 ¤g3 d5
12 e5 ¤d7 13 b4 when chances are roughly even, Stevic,H−Kurajica,B/Tucepi 1996.

5...cxd4 6 cxd4 ¤c6 7 ¤f3

7 d5!? ¤b4 8 ¥c4 £c7 9 ¤a3 ¦c8 10 ¤f3 e6 11 0-0 ¥e7 12 d6! A nice little trick that often
occurs in this line, Therkildsen,T−Mancini,M/Le Touquet 2001.

17
7...¤b4
At this stage Black should be pleased because White normally avoids this line because the
light−squared bishop on d3 is potentially an attacking piece.

8 ¤c3 ¤xd3+ 9 £xd3 g6

with equal play, Chow,S−Canfell,G/Melbourne 2002.

18
C3 Sicilian − Systems with ...e6 and ....d6

[B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 e6 3 ¤f3 d6 4 d4 cxd4 5 cxd4 ¤f6 6 ¤c3

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Sermek is a strong grandmaster so it must be a danger to allow him to develop smoothly

without any obvious sign of a counterattack.

6...¥e7 7 ¥d3
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19
7...0-0
7...a6 8 0-0 0-0 9 £e2 It should become apparent with a study of the games in this variation
that the queen often goes to this square. The basic idea is to help connect the pair of
rooks, be ready to support the advance e5 and play Qe4. 9...¤c6 10 h3 b5 11 e5 This
advance is crucial to many attacks because it deprives Black of the knight that
defends h7. Hellrung,B−Schwark,M/Leipzig 1997

8 0-0 ¤c6 9 a3
A little precaution to stop ...Nb4 that would molest the light−squared bishop.

9...¥d7 10 £e2 e5
This is certainly the most obvious way of preventing the usual plan of e4−e5. However,
Black does give up control of the d5 and f5 squares which are now inviting squares
for white's knights.

11 dxe5 dxe5 12 h3
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White is rightly taking his time to improve the position of his pieces, Sermek,D−
Ferrari,J/Zillertal 1997.

20
 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6 − Main line 6 Bc4 and

9...g6 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 ¤f6
A popular choice to encourage White to extend his pawns in the hope that in the long−term
they can be undermined.

3 e5 ¤d5 4 d4 cxd4 5 ¤f3 ¤c6 6 ¥c4

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An aggressive continuation.

6...¤b6 7 ¥b3 d5 8 exd6 £xd6 9 0-0 g6!?

21
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This turns out to be something of a Ward speciality. I now sank into deep though and tried
to work out why Ng5 didn't just win. After a while I realised it was best to delay the
obvious and bring another piece into the game.

10 ¤a3 ¥g7 11 ¤b5

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It makes sense to gain time by hitting the queen, Lane,G−Ward,C/London Lloyds 1994.

22
C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6 − 3 e5 Nd5 4 d4 cxd4 5

Qxd4 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 ¤f6 3 e5 ¤d5 4 d4 cxd4 5 £xd4

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This line has been neglected to a certain extent in recent years but GM Rogers is a keen
advocate of the line. The advantage is that Black is less likely to be familiar with
such a position and there is plenty of room for home analysis.

5...e6
The best reply to free the king's bishop and secure the knight.
5...¤c7 6 ¤f3 ¤c6 7 £h4 d6 8 exd6 £xd6 9 ¥c4 e6 10 ¤bd2 White is sensibly developing
his pieces and the knight heads for e4 to harass the queen, Padevsky,N−
Clemens,C/Hamburg 1977.

6 ¤f3 ¤c6 7 £e4

23
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3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy

7...d6 8 ¤bd2 dxe5 9 ¤xe5 ¤xe5 10 £xe5 £d6 11 ¥b5+

XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-wqp+-+&
5+L+nwQ-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+-+-#
2PzP-sN-zPPzP"
1tR-vL-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy

gave White a slight advantage in Rogers,I−Yudasin,L/Moscow OL 1994

24
C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6 − 3 e5 Nd5 4 d4 cxd4 5

cxd4 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 ¤f6 3 e5 ¤d5 4 d4 cxd4 5 cxd4 d6 6 ¥c4

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-+-zp-+-+&
5+-+nzP-+-%
4-+LzP-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-sNR!
xabcdefghy

6...¤b6 7 ¥b5+ ¤c6

7...¥d7 8 e6
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-wqkvl-tr(
7zpp+lzppzpp'
6-sn-zpP+-+&
5+L+-+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-sNR!
xabcdefghy

25
This position demands a diagram! 8...¥xb5 (8...fxe6 9 ¥d3 ¥c6 10 £g4 The queen attacks the
e6 pawn and protects g2. 10...£d7 11 ¤h3 The success of the opening can be traced to
how easy it is for White to construct a middlegame plan based on rapid development
and attacking the e6−pawn, Gradalski,P−Wegrowski,H/Suwalki 1999.) 9 £h5 £c8
10 £xb5+ ¢d8 11 ¥e3 £xe6 12 d5! A good idea to help maintain the initiative.
Hummel,M−Kuemin,S/Murek 1998

8 ¤c3
8 exd6!? This has hardly been played before but seems a good way to upset Black's normal
defensive plan. 8...£xd6 9 ¤c3 ¥d7 10 ¤ge2! White intends to gain time
developing by attacking the queen with the queen's bishop, Yesaulkov,O−
Cherniaev,A/Moscow 1999.

8...dxe5 9 d5
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-snn+-+-+&
5+L+Pzp-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQmK-sNR!
xabcdefghy

This has been played before by Rozentalis but Sadler has been doing some home
preparation.

9...a6 10 ¥a4 ¤xa4 11 £xa4 b5 12 ¤xb5 ¥d7 13 ¤c3 ¤d4 14 £d1 ¥f5!

26
 XABCDEFGHY
8r+-wqkvl-tr(
7+-+-zppzpp'
6p+-+-+-+&
5+-+Pzpl+-%
4-+-sn-+-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQmK-sNR!
xabcdefghy

This improvement by Black casts doubt on the way White handles the line, Rozentalis,E−
Sadler,M/Hastings Premier 1997/98.

27
 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6 − 4 g3 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 ¤f6 3 e5 ¤d5 4 g3
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+pzppzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-zpnzP-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+-zP-#
2PzP-zP-zP-zP"
1tRNvLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy

This quiet move was popularised by the GM Rozentalis who seems to want to fianchetto
against lots of openings! An interesting idea to fianchetto on the kingside in order to
attack the d5 knight. It has been played successfully by the top player Rozentalis but
then again he tends to play g2−g3 against just about anything.
4 ¤f3 e6 5 g3 This tends to transpose to lines with 4 g3. 5...¤c6 6 ¥g2 d6 7 exd6 ¥xd6 8 0-
0 0-0 9 d4 The logical choice in order to exert some control over the e5 square. This
will be useful to restrict Black playing ...e6−e5 and also White sometimes occupies
e5 with a knight. 9...¤f6 10 dxc5 ¥xc5 11 £e2 with equal play, Men,B−
Strugach,L/Troy 1993

4...¤c6
4...d6 5 exd6 £xd6 6 ¥g2 ¤c6 7 ¤e2 ¥f5 8 0-0? ¥d3! Fercec rightly takes the opportunity
to plant a bishop on d3. The useful pin on the knight can be awkward but the key
point is to stifle White's development. Medak now has to think about how to get his
dark−squared bishop into the action and in due course the queen's rook. Now this
sort of situation sometimes happens but how should one take advantage? Just watch
and see how Black creates a powerful attack. 9 ¦e1 g5! This is just great stuff! Black
blatantly declares his intention to stifle White and go on the attack, Medak,B−
Fercec,N/Pula 2000

28
5 ¥g2 ¤b6
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+pzppzpp'
6-snn+-+-+&
5+-zp-zP-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+-zP-#
2PzP-zP-zPLzP"
1tRNvLQmK-sNR!
xabcdefghy

The knight moves out of trouble.

5...£c7 6 f4 White supports the e−pawn, which can also help a future kingside pawn
avalanche. 6...e6 7 £e2 ¥e7 8 ¤f3 a6 Mastrovasilis wishes to create some
counterplay by pushing the queenside pawns. 9 d3 b5 10 c4 White is keen to knock
the knight off its perch on d5 where it is well placed, Erenburg,S−
Mastrovasilis,D/Oropesa del Mar ESP 2001

6 ¤f3 d6 7 exd6 £xd6 8 0-0 ¥g4 9 h3

Demkovich wants to know the bishop's intentions before playing d2−d4.

9...¥h5 10 d4 cxd4
10...¥xf3 11 ¥xf3 cxd4 12 cxd4 ¤xd4 13 ¥xb7 ¦d8 14 ¤c3 when the open nature of the
position favours White due to the influence of the light−coloured bishop.

11 g4 ¥g6 12 ¤xd4
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-snnwq-+l+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-sN-+P+$
3+-zP-+-+P#
2PzP-+-zPL+"
1tRNvLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

29
with equal chances, Demkovich,A−Zarubina,P/ Kaissa Open Kharkov UKR 2002

30
C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6 − 5...e6 6 cxd4 b6 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 ¤f6 3 e5 ¤d5 4 d4 cxd4 5 ¤f3 e6

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+p+pzpp'
6-+-+p+-+&
5+-+nzP-+-%
4-+-zp-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKL+R!
xabcdefghy

5...¤c6 6 cxd4 d6 7 ¤c3 e6 8 ¤xd5 exd5 9 ¥d3!? ¥g4 10 £b3 ¥xf3 11 gxf3 dxe5 12
£xb7 ¤xd4 Black is a pawn up and the knight covers the vital b5 square so the
check with the bishop on d3 would not be effective, Nuevo Perez,A−Vera,R/Malaga
Open 2000

6 cxd4 b6
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvl-tr(
7zp-+p+pzpp'
6-zp-+p+-+&
5+-+nzP-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKL+R!
xabcdefghy

Black plays this either to fianchetto or to exchange light−squared bishops.

31
6...¤c6 7 ¤c3 ¤xc3 8 bxc3 d6 9 ¥f4 White is intent on securing the e5 pawn. This
variation offers White good practical chances. (9 ¥d3 dxe5 10 dxe5 £a5 This is a
critical line because Black is threatening the c and e−pawns meaning that White is
obliged to concede material. 11 0-0 ¤xe5 12 ¤xe5 £xe5 13 ¦e1 £c7 14 £g4 The whole
point of White's strategy is to make it difficult for Black to develop. On g4 the white
queen is well placed to keep an eye on the g7 pawn, Rocha,S−Galego,L/Boavista
Masters 2000) 9...£a5 10 £d2 dxe5 11 ¤xe5 ¥e7 12 ¥d3 ¥f6?! Black wishes to
fight for control of the e5−square but the scheme is flawed. 13 ¤c4 £d5 14 ¤d6+
¢f8 The opening stage of the game has been poor for Baerner who has given up the
right to castle and the king's rook will have difficulty to become active,
Schmittdiel,E−Baerner,H/Oberwart 1992

7 ¥d3 ¥b7 8 0-0 ¥e7 9 ¤c3 £c8?!

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnq+k+-tr(
7zpl+pvlpzpp'
6-zp-+p+-+&
5+-+nzP-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-sNL+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

I think it a better bet for Black to concentrate on developing and castle kingside. However,
the decision is not surprising considering numerous players are wary of their
defensive problems when the bishop on d3 is lined up against h7, Lane,G−
Rayner,F/Natwest Masters London 1987

32
 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6 − 5...e6, queenside

fianchetto [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 ¤f6 3 e5 ¤d5 4 d4 cxd4 5 ¤f3 e6

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+p+pzpp'
6-+-+p+-+&
5+-+nzP-+-%
4-+-zp-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKL+R!
xabcdefghy

6 cxd4 ¤c6 7 ¤c3 ¤xc3 8 bxc3 d6 9 ¥f4

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+nzpp+-+&
5+-+-zP-+-%
4-+-zP-vL-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2P+-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+QmKL+R!
xabcdefghy

Whitel is intent on securing the e5 pawn. This variation offers White good practical
chances.

33
9 exd6 White has no intention of having a weakened pawn on e5 and opts to exchange on
d6. 9...¥xd6 10 ¥d3 £a5 11 ¥d2 In this system there is no danger of White losing a
pawn on c3 or e5 but the only snag is that Black has a comfortable position. 11...0-0
12 ¤g5 A robust attacking stance that immediately puts Black on guard, Beltran,J−
Ayza Ballester,J/Ponferrada 1992

9...£a5 10 £d2 dxe5 11 ¤xe5 ¥e7 12 ¥d3 ¥f6?!

XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+pvl-+&
5wq-+-sN-+-%
4-+-zP-vL-+$
3+-zPL+-+-#
2P+-wQ-zPPzP"
1tR-+-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy

Black wishes to fight for control of the e5−square but the scheme is Flawed, Schmittdiel,E−
Baerner,H/Oberwart op 1992.

34
 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6 − Main line 6 Bc4 and

...dxc3 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 ¤f6 3 e5 ¤d5 4 d4 cxd4 5 ¤f3 ¤c6 6 ¥c4

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+pzppzpp'
6-+n+-+-+&
5+-+nzP-+-%
4-+Lzp-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy

6...¤b6 7 ¥b3 d5
Black will be a pawn up but White has sufficient compensation in the form of a lead in
development.
7...dxc3 Black will be a pawn up but White has sufficient compensation in the form of a
lead in development. 8 ¤xc3 e6 Black takes steps to blunt the threat of the light−
squared bishop by blocking the b3−f7 diagonal. (8...¤a5 It is natural that Black
wishes to exchange the light−squared bishop that traditionally causes so many
problems. The only problem is that it is difficult for Black to develop smoothly. 9 0-0
¤xb3 10 £xb3 e6 11 ¦d1 £c7 12 ¥e3 ¥c5?

35
 XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7zppwqp+pzpp'
6-sn-+p+-+&
5+-vl-zP-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+QsN-vLN+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+R+-mK-!
xabcdefghy

A mistake in a difficult position, Crut,A−Fournier,S/ French under 20 Ch 1999. ) 9 ¤e4

¥b4+ 10 ¥d2 0-0 11 0-0 d5 12 exd6 ¥xd6 13 £e2 It is difficult to pinpoint White's
advantage except to give credit to the way he has activated his pieces. The queen
move is designed to co−ordinate the rooks in order to try and take advantage of the
open c and d files. 13...¤d5 14 ¦fd1 ¥e7 15 ¦ac1 So far White's middlegame plan is
fairly obvious because he has simply centralised the rooks. Pulkkinen,K−
Innala,H/Helsinki 1997.

8 exd6 dxc3
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-snnzP-+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+Lzp-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy

A daring move that aims to grab a material advantage. In practice White's superior
development means a quick kingside attack is likely.

9 ¤xc3 exd6
9...£xd6 10 £xd6 exd6 11 ¤b5 is better for White

10 0-0

36
10 ¤g5 I think this is the best way to counter Black's opening strategy. White uses his extra
development to play aggressively. 10...d5 11 0-0 ¥e7 12 £h5 ¥xg5 Black concedes
the bishop pair and more importantly does little to stem the onslaught, Lane,G−
Pinkus,L/Toulouse 1990.

10...¥e7 11 ¤g5
XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqk+-tr(
7zpp+-vlpzpp'
6-snnzp-+-+&
5+-+-+-sN-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+LsN-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

A strong, direct move that targets the weak f7 pawn. This is the right way to play a gambit
line by putting Black under pressure straight from the opening, Braga,F−
Spangenberg,H/ La Plata 1997.

37
 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6 − Main line 6 Bc4 and

10...Be6 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 ¤f6 3 e5 ¤d5 4 d4 cxd4 5 ¤f3 ¤c6 6 ¥c4

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+pzppzpp'
6-+n+-+-+&
5+-+nzP-+-%
4-+Lzp-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy

6...¤b6 7 ¥b3 d5 8 exd6 £xd6 9 ¤a3 a6 10 0-0 ¥e6!

XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+kvl-tr(
7+p+-zppzpp'
6psnnwql+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-zp-+-+$
3sNLzP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

An important move to diffuse the attacking influence of the bishop on b3.

38
11 ¥xe6 £xe6 12 ¤xd4 ¤xd4 13 £xd4 ¦d8 14 £h4
This is considered to be a main line. Initially, White scored well with it but the test of time
has been good for Black who usually emerges with an equal position.

14...£c6 15 ¤c2 e6 16 ¤d4

XABCDEFGHY
8-+-trkvl-tr(
7+p+-+pzpp'
6psnq+p+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-sN-+-wQ$
3+-zP-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

with equal chances, Ni Hua−Nakamura,H/ USA−China Summit 2001

39
 C3 Sicilian 2...Nf6 − Main line 6 Bc4 and

9...Be6 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 ¤f6 3 e5 ¤d5 4 ¤f3 ¤c6 5 d4 cxd4 6 ¥c4

XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+pzppzpp'
6-+n+-+-+&
5+-+nzP-+-%
4-+Lzp-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy

6...¤b6 7 ¥b3 d5 8 exd6 £xd6 9 0-0 ¥e6 10 ¤a3

XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-snnwql+-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-zp-+-+$
3sNLzP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

The main line is deemed to be White's sharpest idea where 10 Na3 has claimed a number of
victims.

40
10...dxc3
The acceptance of the pawn sacrifice is a critical test of the whole line. I suspect a highly
prepared Black player should be able to survive the onslaught but for anyone else
there are plenty of tricks and traps.
10...¥xb3 11 £xb3 e6 12 ¤b5 £d7 13 ¤bxd4 The simplest and best move available. White
restores material equality and will now strive to use his slight space advantage.
13...¥c5 14 ¥e3 ½-½ Schmittdiel,E−Kotronias,V/Gausdal 1994

11 £e2 ¥xb3 12 ¤b5 £b8 13 axb3 e5 14 ¤bd4 f6 15 bxc3 ¢f7

XABCDEFGHY
8rwq-+-vl-tr(
7zpp+-+kzpp'
6-snn+-zp-+&
5+-+-zp-+-%
4-+-sN-+-+$
3+PzP-+N+-#
2-+-+QzPPzP"
1tR-vL-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

If Black can hang on to the extra pawn then all is fine. However, practical experience
shows that the vast majority of players are unable to cope with having moved the
king at such an early stage of the game, Rozentalis,E−Lesiege,A/Montreal 2000.

41
 C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − 3 exd5 Nf6 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 ¤f6
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-zpP+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+-+-#
2PzP-zP-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy

This is an unusual continuation that can and often does catch White out. The simple idea is
to take on d5 with the knight rather than expose the queen.

4 d4 cxd4 5 ¥b5+ ¤bd7

It seems at first sight that this novelty should be fine for Black. However, he will soon be a
pawn down and needs to accelerate his development to create some counterplay.

6 £xd4 g6 7 d6

42
 XABCDEFGHY
8r+lwqkvl-tr(
7zpp+nzpp+p'
6-+-zP-snp+&
5+L+-+-+-%
4-+-wQ-+-+$
3+-zP-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-mK-sNR!
xabcdefghy

This is a clever idea to pose a fresh set of problems in the opening for Nemet to cope with.
Basically, Ekstroem intends Nf3 and 0-0 which means that Black will have a
problem fianchettoing on the kingside because if ...exd6 the dark−squared bishop
needs to guard on the pawn.

7...exd6 8 ¤f3 £e7+

The logic is that after the obvious 9 Be3 Nemet can play 9...Bg7 followed by castling
kingside. It all seems highly likely but the Swiss GM has completely missed a
tactical idea

9 ¢d1!
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+kvl-tr(
7zpp+nwqp+p'
6-+-zp-snp+&
5+L+-+-+-%
4-+-wQ-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLK+-+R!
xabcdefghy

A marvellous move to accommodate the king's rook moving to e1, Ekstroem,R−Nemet,I/

Swiss Ch Pontresina 2000

43
 C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − 3 exd5 Qxd5 4 d4 g6

[B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 £xd5 4 d4 g6
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvlntr(
7zpp+-zpp+p'
6-+-+-+p+&
5+-zpq+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy

The latest fashion which is intended to put pressure on the d−pawn by developing the
bishop on g7. You will struggle to find it even mentioned in most books on the C3
Sicilian.

5 dxc5
5 ¤f3 ¥g7 6 ¥e2 A forward thinking plan. White wishes to chase the black queen with Bc4
and at the same time develop his pieces. (6 ¤a3 A forward thinking plan. White
wishes to chase the black queen with Bc4 and at the same time develop his pieces
6...¤f6 7 ¥c4 £e4+ 8 ¥e3 0-0 9 h3 White is wary of allowing the pin 9...Bg4 or 9...Ng4.
9...cxd4 10 £xd4 White is content to offer the exchange of queens against his
illustrious opponent. 10...£xd4 11 ¤xd4 a6 It is true that White has some actively
placed pieces but Black should have no worries. All he needs to do is activate his
sleeping queenside forces and probe the White position for weaknesses. In a perfect
world. White will use his 3v2 pawn majority on the queenside to create a passed
pawn. This task is far from easy with so many pieces on the board. White has to be
careful that a sudden queenside pawn advance is not just a notice for Black to
surround and capture a lone pawn, Stevic,H−Tukmakov,V/Pula 1999) 6...¤h6

44
 (6...cxd4 7 cxd4 Justin case White is beginning to panic about having an isolated d−
pawn, it is not a disaster. Indeed, it helps the other pieces to activate and White tends
to have a space advantage. The main problem is that if this initiative is not extended
into the middlegame, then the fact that d4 is not protected by another pawn makes it
vulnerable to attack. 7...¤f6 8 ¤c3 £d8 9 0-0 0-0 10 ¥e3 ¥e6 Black is keen to blockade
the d5−square so that in time he can undermine the d−pawn. In the short−term it also
stops Qb3, Bosch Porta,D−Pavlovic,M/Andorra 1999) 7 0-0 ¤f5 8 ¤a3 White
decides to fall back on a familiar plan of harassing the queen with Bc4. That ploy is
more effective when a move has not already been wasted on playing Be2, San
Marco,J−Sokolov,A/ch−Paris, FRA 1999

5...£xc5
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvlntr(
7zpp+-zpp+p'
6-+-+-+p+&
5+-wq-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy

6 ¤f3
6 ¥e3 £c7
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvlntr(
7zppwq-zpp+p'
6-+-+-+p+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-zP-vL-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRN+QmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy

This has been played by specialists such as Komarov and D. Gurevich but no one has had
the nerve to try out the bishop sacrifice against them. 7 ¥xa7! A startling move
which has caused many masters a headache trying to cope with the complications.

45
 The idea is to follow up with Qd4 if the bishop is taken. 7...¤c6 8 ¥e3 ¤f6 9 ¤a3
¦xa3?! Black gambles by sacrificing the exchange to complicate matters. This can
be a good practical strategy but if White has good defensive technique he can just
start counting the pieces, Passakos,G−Tringov,G/Ano Liosia 1997

6...¥g7 7 ¥e3 £c7 8 ¤a3

This obvious looking move to molest the queen with Na3−b5 has been neglected in the past
but is due for a resurgence of interest.

8...¤c6?!
XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+ntr(
7zppwq-zppvlp'
6-+n+-+p+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-+-+-+$
3sN-zP-vLN+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+QmKL+R!
xabcdefghy

A natural move but on the evidence of this game it will probably be thought of as a mistake
in future books, Kiik,K−Pedersen,St/ECC Panormo GRE 2001

46
 C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − 4 d4 cxd4 5 cxd4 e5

[B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 £xd5 4 d4 cxd4 5 cxd4 e5

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvlntr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+qzp-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-+-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy

A popular reply to avoid having to learn lots of C3 Sicilian theory.

6 ¤f3
6 dxe5!? £xd1+ Despite being a pawn down Black can enter the ending relying on rapid
development to compensate for the pawn and the fact that White has conceded the
right to castle. 7 ¢xd1 ¤c6 8 ¥b5 ¥g4+ 9 f3 0-0-0+ 10 ¥d2 ¤d4 gave White decent
chances to hang on to the extra pawn, Wurzer,G−Pilz,D/Wattens 1997

6...exd4
Black has no desire to contest a line that nowadays is rather fashionable.
6...¤c6 is the critical variation when 7 ¤c3 With no pawn on c3 Black is eager to attack the
queen. 7...¥b4 8 ¥d2 ¥xc3 9 ¥xc3 e4 10 ¤e5 ¤xe5 11 dxe5 ¤e7 12 £e2!?

47
 XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+-tr(
7zpp+-snpzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+qzP-+-%
4-+-+p+-+$
3+-vL-+-+-#
2PzP-+QzPPzP"
1tR-+-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy

An interesting way to seek the advantage and the good thing is that many sources do not
even consider the move, Frackowiak,O−Hess,C/Neumuenster 2000

7 £xd4
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvlntr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+-+-+&
5+-+q+-+-%
4-+-wQ-+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy

7...£xd4 8 ¤xd4 a6
Black is wary of Nb5.

9 ¥e2 ¤f6 10 0-0 ¥d6 11 ¤c3 0-0 12 ¥g5

48
 XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+-trk+(
7+p+-+pzpp'
6p+-vl-sn-+&
5+-+-+-vL-%
4-+-sN-+-+$
3+-sN-+-+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

White has a nagging initiative which makes it easier to develop, Nussbaumer,H−

Kassubek,W/ German Team Championship 1999.

49
C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − 5 Nf3 Bg4 6 Be2 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5
Amazingly, it is still being debated whether this is a good reply against a computer who
does well in open positions thanks to its immense ability to calculate.

3 exd5 £xd5 4 d4 ¤f6 5 ¤f3 ¥g4

A standard opening choice to pin the knight in an effort to put pressure on the d4 pawn.

6 ¥e2
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-zpq+-+-%
4-+-zP-+l+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy

6...e6 7 h3
White wants to nudge the bishop back to the edge of the board. It highlights the slight
drawback that in some cases White can play Qb3 to hit b7.

7...¥h5 8 0-0 ¤c6 9 ¥e3

50
 XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+psn-+&
5+-zpq+-+l%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-vLN+P#
2PzP-+LzPP+"
1tRN+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

9...cxd4 10 cxd4 ¥b4!?

10...Be7 is also possible but Kasparov has faith in this move which looks a bit strange when
White has not yet played Nc3.

11 a3 ¥a5 12 ¤c3
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+k+-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+psn-+&
5vl-+q+-+l%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3zP-sN-vLN+P#
2-zP-+LzPP+"
1tR-+Q+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

gave White a small initiative, Deep Blue−Kasparov,G/ Philadelphia m 1996

51
 C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − 5 Nf3 Bg4 6 Nbd2

[B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 £xd5 4 d4 ¤f6 5 ¤f3 ¥g4 6 ¤bd2

XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-zpq+-+-%
4-+-zP-+l+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-sN-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQmKL+R!
xabcdefghy

A novel way of dealing with one of Black's most popular opening ideas. The pinned knight
is guarded and more importantly sets up the chance to play Bc4 to attack the queen.

6...e6 7 ¥c4
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+psn-+&
5+-zpq+-+-%
4-+LzP-+l+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-sN-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy

52
One of the points of the queen's knight is to support this move.

7...£d8 8 £b3
In this system the queen tends to end up on b3 to target the b7 pawn which is vulnerable
with the light−squared bishop shut away on g4.

8...£b6 9 ¥b5+
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-wq-+psn-+&
5+Lzp-+-+-%
4-+-zP-+l+$
3+QzP-+N+-#
2PzP-sN-zPPzP"
1tR-vL-mK-+R!
xabcdefghy

when White had the brighter prospects, Pisk,P−Safarian,A/ Australian Open 2001.

53
 C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − 5 Nf3 Bg4 6 Qa4+

[B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 £xd5 4 d4 ¤f6 5 ¤f3 ¥g4 6 £a4+

XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-zpq+-+-%
4Q+-zP-+l+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy

6...¤bd7 7 ¤e5!
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+nzppzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-zpqsN-+-%
4Q+-zP-+l+$
3+-zP-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy

The player of the White pieces Belgian international Luc Henris comments ' In 1997, with a
lot of excitement, I discovered the amazing 7 Ne5! and the complications resulting

54
 from this move in the following line of the c3−Sicilian. During the same year, at the
Pardubice Open, I met GM Drazen Sermek, one of the best connoisseurs of the
opening. We discussed and refined the idea together. Then I had to wait for an
opportunity to use the novelty... and it was only a few weeks ago that I finally
succeeded in playing 7 Ne5! over the board.'

7...e6 8 f3!
Hitting the g4−bishop and also preparing to play Bc4 without allowing ...Qxg2 gave White
a good game in Henris,L−Sclacmender,J/ Soignies Blitz, France 2000

55
 C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − 5 Nf3 Bg4 6 dxc5

[B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 £xd5 4 d4 ¤f6 5 ¤f3 ¥g4 6 dxc5!?

XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-zppzpp'
6-+-+-sn-+&
5+-zPq+-+-%
4-+-+-+l+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKL+R!
xabcdefghy

This is the move I recommended in my GM video on the C3 Sicilian and it is certainly the
latest fashion. The idea is to get away from the main lines.

6...£xd1+
The ending seems to offer Black excellent chances for the sacrificed pawn with the white
king awkwardly and the doubled c−pawns are not much of a menace at this stage.
However, Black has to play carefully to prove that he has enough compensation for
the pawn.
6...£xc5 7 ¥e3 This is the point of the pawn capture to gain time developing by attacking
the queen. (7 ¤a3 is worth investigating because White might want to play Bf4 in
one move depending how Black responds. 7 ¤a3 ¤bd7 8 h3 ¥h5 9 ¥e3 £c8 10 ¤c4 The
position could be described as equal but I think White has some plus points. For
example: he has a space advantage, Black has been forced to play a line he will have
little experience with and the black queen on c8 is temporarily badly placed.
Alekseev,E−Mamedov,N/Artek 2000) 7...£c7 8 h3 ¥xf3 I don't think Black should
volunteer to give up his bishop pair. (8...¥h5 is a better choice.) 9 £xf3 e6 10 ¥b5+ In
this line the theme of a pin on the a4−e8 diagonal is ever present. It is also a good

56
 way of demonstrating the power of white's bishops, Sivokho,S−Karasev,V/St
Petersburg 2000

7 ¢xd1 ¤c6 8 b4 e5 9 ¢c2

XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+-sn-+&
5+-zP-zp-+-%
4-zP-+-+l+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2P+K+-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-+L+R!
xabcdefghy

9...a5 10 ¥b5
It makes sense for White to catch up on developing his pieces and at the same lessen the
pressure on the b4−pawn.
10 a3 axb4 11 cxb4 ¤xb4+ is much better for Black.

10...¥xf3 11 gxf3
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+kvl-tr(
7+p+-+pzpp'
6-+n+-sn-+&
5zpLzP-zp-+-%
4-zP-+-+-+$
3+-zP-+P+-#
2P+K+-zP-zP"
1tRNvL-+-+R!
xabcdefghy

White now has doubled f−pawns but it is difficult for Moraru to attack them. More
importantly they cover the e4 and g4 squares stopping the kingside knight from
immediately intruding on white's camp, Vajda,L−Moraru,M/Romanian Ch 2001.

57
 C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − 4...g6 or 5...g6 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 £xd5 4 d4 g6
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvlntr(
7zpp+-zpp+p'
6-+-+-+p+&
5+-zpq+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-+-+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvLQmKLsNR!
xabcdefghy

A relatively new idea to put pressure on the d4 pawn with a kingside fianchetto.
4...¤f6 5 ¤f3 g6 6 £b3 This looks harmless and can lure Black into a false sense of
security. The ending is pleasant for White if Black exchanges on b3 and the
immediate threat is Bc4. 6...¥e6 An unusual looking move which is difficult to find
over the board. It is much more tempting to try 7 c4 £d7 8 d5
XABCDEFGHY
8rsn-+kvl-tr(
7zpp+qzpp+p'
6-+-+lsnp+&
5+-zpP+-+-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+Q+-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRNvL-mKL+R!
xabcdefghy

I like this move which aims to build upon White's space advantage. Basically, the
middlegame plan is to get all your pieces out and watch Black struggle to find a
constructive plan. 8...¥f5 9 ¤c3 The advantage of 7 c4 over 7 Nbd2 is now apparent

58
 as White has the option of bringing the queen's knight to a more active square.
9...¥g7 10 ¥e2 0-0 11 0-0 Emms is content to develop his pieces. 11...£c7 12 ¤b5
£b6 13 ¥f4 ¤a6 14 ¦fe1
XABCDEFGHY
8r+-+-trk+(
7zpp+-zppvlp'
6nwq-+-snp+&
5+NzpP+l+-%
4-+P+-vL-+$
3+Q+-+N+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tR-+-tR-mK-!
xabcdefghy

The good thing about Emm's play is that he makes it look so easy. He has spotted the e7
pawn is weak and decides to put pressure on it, Emms,J−Ansell,S/British League
(4NCL) 1999.

5 ¥e3 cxd4 6 cxd4

6 ¥xd4 e5 7 £e2 ¤c6 8 ¥e3 ¥g7 9 ¤a3 £a5 10 ¤c4 £c7 11 ¦d1 gives White the better
chances, Liberadzki,S−Dobrzanski,P/Zakopane 2001.

6...¥g7
6...¥h6!? An interesting idea to exchange bishops that has little logic behind it. After all the
usual idea in this variation is for Black to fianchetto to put pressure on the d4 pawn.
7 ¤c3 £a5 8 ¥c4 ¤c6 9 ¤f3 ¥xe3 10 fxe3 if the idea was to weaken White's
kingside pawns I don't think it is particularly successful. The reason is that after
castling kingside the half−open f−file will actually aid White in the attack and of
course Black now has weak dark squares on the kingside, Bauza,A−
Crosa,M/Montevideo 2001.

7 ¤c3 £a5 8 ¥c4 ¤h6 9 ¤f3 ¤f5 10 0-0 0-0 11 ¥f4?!

The bishop moves again but now the defence of the d4 pawn is more awkward, Manca,F−
Cvitan,O/Reggio Emilia 1991.

59
 C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − Main line 6 Be3 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 £xd5 4 d4 e6 5 ¤f3 ¤f6 6 ¥e3

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+psn-+&
5+-zpq+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-vLN+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tRN+QmKL+R!
xabcdefghy

6...cxd4 7 cxd4 ¥e7 8 ¤c3 £d6

This is considered to be one of the main lines.

9 ¥d3 0-0 10 0-0 ¤c6 11 a3

This is usually assumed to be played to stop 11...Nb4 but this not the whole answer. White
sometimes wishes to play Qb3 followed by putting a rook on d1 to help the advance
d4−d5. The only snag is the move ... Qb4 when Black hopes to exchange queens.

11...b6 12 £c2!?

60
 XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+-trk+(
7zp-+-vlpzpp'
6-zpnwqpsn-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3zP-sNLvLN+-#
2-zPQ+-zPPzP"
1tR-+-+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

This is a matter of taste. it was first suggested to encourage ...h6 or ...g6 to withstand
pressure to h7 after Ng5.
12 £e2 ¥b7 13 ¦ad1 ¦fd8 (13...¤d5 14 ¥c1 ¦fe8 15 ¦fe1 ¦ad8 16 ¤e5 with equality, Palkovi,J−
Toth,A/Paks 2000) 14 ¦fe1 ¦ac8 with equal play, Seger,R−Emms,J/Gelsenkirchen
2000

12...¥b7 13 ¦ad1 ¦ac8 14 ¦fe1 ¦fd8 15 £e2

XABCDEFGHY
8-+rtr-+k+(
7zpl+-vlpzpp'
6-zpnwqpsn-+&
5+-+-+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3zP-sNLvLN+-#
2-zP-+QzPPzP"
1+-+RtR-mK-!
xabcdefghy

when White is relying on his space advantage to help create chances and Black is aiming to
undermine the isolated queen's pawn, Van Houtte,T−De Haan,E/ Belgian Team Ch
2001

61
 C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − Main line 6 Na3 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 ¤f3 e6 3 c3 d5 4 exd5 £xd5 5 d4 ¤c6 6 ¤a3!?

XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+kvlntr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+p+-+&
5+-zpq+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3sN-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQmKL+R!
xabcdefghy

This is surprising common when the pawn is still on C3. The knight soon joins in the action
via b5 or c2.

6...cxd4
This seriously underestimates the threat presented by the queens knight.

7 ¤b5 ¥d6
Just about the only way to avoid a calamity.

8 ¥c4

62
 XABCDEFGHY
8r+l+k+ntr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+nvlp+-+&
5+N+q+-+-%
4-+Lzp-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-vLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy

An excellent move which looks obviously when you know about it but difficult to find
over−the−board without prior knowledge. In my experience Black usually misses
the idea when playing 6 ...cxd4 and is soon in serious trouble.

8...£e4+ 9 ¥e3!
Another piece is developed with a flourish which is in contrast to Black's dormant pieces.

9...¥b8 10 cxd4
XABCDEFGHY
8rvll+k+ntr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+n+p+-+&
5+N+-+-+-%
4-+LzPq+-+$
3+-+-vLN+-#
2PzP-+-zPPzP"
1tR-+QmK-+R!
xabcdefghy

White is content to have an isolated pawn in order to vacate the c3 square for the knight to
chase the queen, Yandemirov,V−Igudesman,K/ Kazan 1995

63
 C3 Sicilian 2...d5 − Main line 6 Be2 [B22]

1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 £xd5 4 d4 e6 5 ¤f3 ¤f6 6 ¥e2

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+kvl-tr(
7zpp+-+pzpp'
6-+-+psn-+&
5+-zpq+-+-%
4-+-zP-+-+$
3+-zP-+N+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tRNvLQmK-+R!
xabcdefghy

The lines associated with Be2 tend to fade in and out of fashion but I believe they are a
good alternative to Bd3. One idea is that on e2 the bishop can come to f3 after Ne5.
Also, the queen is not obstructed in her defence of d4 which means the dark−squared
bishop can be deployed to g5 rather than the usual e3.

6...¥e7 7 0-0 0-0 8 c4

XABCDEFGHY
8rsnl+-trk+(
7zpp+-vlpzpp'
6-+-+psn-+&
5+-zpq+-+-%
4-+PzP-+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tRNvLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

A speciality of mine which aims to take advantage of a pawn majority on the queenside.
The alternatives include Be3 or Bg5.

64
8...£d8 9 dxc5
XABCDEFGHY
8rsnlwq-trk+(
7zpp+-vlpzpp'
6-+-+psn-+&
5+-zP-+-+-%
4-+P+-+-+$
3+-+-+N+-#
2PzP-+LzPPzP"
1tRNvLQ+RmK-!
xabcdefghy

I have played this with success in a number of games. In my experience the ending had no
fear as I could concentrate on the simple but effective plan of advancing my pawn
majority on the queenside to create a passed pawn. It sounds too easy but sometimes
having a decent plan is all that is needed to have the upper hand. Another factor in
White's favour that it is a little bit awkward for Black to develop his light−squared
bishop to a useful square, Lane,G−Richardson,K/BCF−ch Edinburgh 1985.

65