B36
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind
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 Variation107B35 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Modern Bc4 Variation278B37 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind89B38 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind297B39 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Breyer Variation91
Best Games
Aronian,L vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
8th Norway Chess 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
2nd Sinquefield Cup 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Ruan Lufei vs Hou Yifan1/2-1/2
WCh Women Playoff • 2010★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Topalov,V1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2002★ Notable
Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter vs Khalifman, Alexander1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. g/25+10 • 1999★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Zvjaginsev, Vadim1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
WchT 4th • 1997★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 6th • 1997★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Amber-rapid 5th • 1996★ Notable
Grischuk, Alexander vs Ni Hua1/2-1/2
Wch U14 Disney • 1996★ Notable
Kelly, Bryan vs Leko, Peter0-1
Wch U14 • 1992★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Alterman, Boris1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1990★ Notable
Portisch, Lajos vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1-0
Petropolis Interzonal • 1973★ Notable
Spassky, Boris V vs Petrosian, Tigran V1/2-1/2
World Championship 27th • 1969★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Caruana,F1-0
Clutch Chess: Champions • 2025
Wei Yi vs Anton Guijarro,D1-0
45th Olympiad 2024 • 2024
Duda,J vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1-0
Armageddon Grand Final W • 2023
Gelfand,B vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
Julius Baer GenCup Prelim • 2022
Giri,A vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
chess.com Speed 2021 • 2021
Giri,A vs Carlsen,M1-0
Magnus Carlsen Inv Prelim • 2021