B32

Sicilian Defense: Open

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.

Best Games

Nepomniachtchi,I vs Le,Quang Liem1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
Tata Steel IND Rapid Open • 2023★ Notable
Ter Sahakyan,S vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 19 • 2020★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Andreikin,D1-0
FIDE Candidates 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
75th Tata Steel GpA • 2013★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
6th Tal Memorial • 2011★ Notable
Kamsky,G vs Gelfand,B0-1
WCh Candidates • 2011★ Notable
Giri,A vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
20th Amber Rapid • 2011★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Raupp,T1-0
GRENKE Rapid WCh • 2010★ Notable
Kamsky,G vs Radjabov,T1-0
18th Amber Rapid • 2009★ Notable
Morozevich,A vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
18th Amber Rapid • 2009★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Radjabov,T1-0
36th Olympiad • 2004★ Notable
Smirnov,P vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Leko,P vs Shirov,A1-0
Amber Rapid • 2004★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Shirov,A1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2003★ Notable
Short,N vs Nataf,IA1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Granda Zuniga, Julio E1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Leko, Peter vs Kramnik, Vladimir1/2-1/2
Dortmund • 1995★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Polgar, Zsuzsa1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 2nd • 1993★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 2nd • 1993★ Notable

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