1.e4 — the open games
Sveshnikov Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5ECO B33
Black plays the committal …e5, accepting a backward d-pawn and a hole on d5 in return for dynamic piece play and the bishop pair. Once thought dubious, now a mainline weapon at the very top.
Key ideas
- …e5 kicks the knight and stakes a claim in the centre, at the cost of the d5-square.
- Black's compensation is active pieces, …f5 breaks, and the two bishops in an open position.
- White fights for d5 with Nd5 and Bg5xf6, trying to prove the structural weakness tells.
Who it suits
Combative Sicilian players who'll take structural risks for piece activity and winning chances.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Sveshnikov Sicilian move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer