B33
Sicilian Defense: Open
Key moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5
The Sveshnikov Variation is one of the most dynamic and theoretically important lines in the Sicilian Defence. Black accepts a backward d-pawn and a hole on d5 in exchange for active piece play and counterattacking chances.
History & Notable Players
Developed by Evgeny Sveshnikov in the 1970s and later championed by world champion Vladimir Kramnik. It transformed understanding of dynamic compensation in chess.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
B30 - Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian1718B31 - Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation995B32 - Sicilian Defense: Open410B34 - 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
So,W vs Praggnanandhaa,R1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2024★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Gukesh,D0-1
55th Biel GM 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Rapport,R1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Carlsen,M1-0
9th Norway Chess 2021 • 2021★ Notable
Vachier Lagrave,M vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2021★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2020 • 2021★ Notable
Fedoseev,Vl3 vs Gelfand,B1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 18 • 2020★ Notable
Antipov,M2 vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 18 • 2020★ Notable
He,Anthony vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 15 • 2020★ Notable
Chen,Ryo vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 13 • 2020★ Notable
Pichot,A vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 10 • 2020★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Carlsen,M1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2019 • 2019★ Notable
So,W vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
7th Norway Chess 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
7th Norway Chess 2019 • 2019★ Notable
So,W vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Moscow FIDE Grand Prix • 2019★ Notable
So,W vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Moscow FIDE Grand Prix • 2019★ Notable
Giri,A vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
81st Tata Steel GpA • 2019★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
81st Tata Steel GpA • 2019★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Carlsen,M0-1
WCh Rapid TB 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
WCh 2018 • 2018★ Notable