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  3. /Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian (B30)
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

Caruana,F142 gamesCarlsen,M140 gamesGelfand,B119 gamesShirov,A85 gamesRadjabov,T85 gamesNakamura,Hi80 gamesGrischuk,A74 gamesPraggnanandhaa,R68 gamesFirouzja,Alireza65 gamesGukesh,D61 games

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

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