B35
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Modern Bc4 Variation
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
B30 - Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian1718B31 - Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation995B32 - Sicilian Defense: Open410B33 - Sicilian Defense: Open1327B34 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation107B36 - 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
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Caruana,F0-1
11th Sinquefield Cup • 2024★ Notable
So,W vs Praggnanandhaa,R1/2-1/2
44th Olympiad 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
Hamburg FIDE Grand Prix • 2019★ Notable
Navara,D vs Gelfand,B1-0
43rd Olympiad 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Giri,A vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
Moscow Grand Prix 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
FIDE Candidates • 2013★ Notable
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Foisor,S1-0
GRENKE Rapid WCh • 2010★ Notable
Kravtsiv,M vs So,W0-1
WCh-Junior • 2008★ Notable
Vachier Lagrave, Mexime vs Rodshtein, Maxim1-0
Wch U10 • 1999★ Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Topalov, Veselin0-1
Linares16th • 1999★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Kotsur, Pavel1/2-1/2
WchT 4th • 1997★ Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Polgar, Zsuzsa1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 3rd • 1994★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Kamsky, Gata0-1
PCA-Wch Candidats sf1 • 1994★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Caruana,F1-0
TechM GCL 2025 • 2025
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Julius Baer Gen Cup D1 W • 2024
Vachier Lagrave,M vs Vocaturo,D1/2-1/2
45th Olympiad 2024 • 2024
Grischuk,A vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
Levitov Chess 50k 2022 • 2022
Shirov,A vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
23rd European Teams • 2021
Nakamura,Hi vs Svidler,P1-0
chess.com Speed 2021 • 2021
Lagarde,Max vs Gelfand,B1-0
54th Biel GM Rapid 2021 • 2021