B30
Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian
Key moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The Rossolimo Variation (3.Bb5 against 2...Nc6) is a sophisticated Anti-Sicilian where White avoids the Open Sicilian in favour of a positional approach. White aims to double Black's pawns and establish a solid position.
History & Notable Players
Named after GM Nicolas Rossolimo, this line became extremely popular in the 21st century as a practical alternative to the Open Sicilian.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
B31 - Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation995B32 - Sicilian Defense: Open410B33 - Sicilian Defense: Open1327B34 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation107B35 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Modern Bc4 Variation278B36 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind317B37 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind89B38 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind297B39 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Breyer Variation91
Best Games
Adams,Mi vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek0-1
15th London Classic Elite • 2025★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
13th Norway Chess 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Caruana,F0-1
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Vidit,S vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Abasov,N1-0
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Adams,Mi vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
13th London Classic 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2022★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Gukesh,D0-1
44th Olympiad 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Rapport,R1-0
9th Norway Chess 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
9th Norway Chess 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Yoo,Christopher Woojin vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 22 • 2021★ Notable
Tanenbaum,Zachary vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 21 • 2021★ Notable
He,Anthony vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 21 • 2021★ Notable
Fedoseev,Vl3 vs Gelfand,B1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 20 • 2020★ Notable
Murzin,Volodar vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 18 • 2020★ Notable
Chigaev,M vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 16 • 2020★ Notable
Deac,Bogdan-Daniel vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 16 • 2020★ Notable
Kobalia,M vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 15 • 2020★ Notable
Polivanov,A vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 13 • 2020★ Notable