Sveshnikov variant
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The basic position of the Sveshnikov variant after 5.… e7 – e5
The Sveshnikov variant of the Sicilian Defense is an opening to the game of chess and is classified in the ECO codes under the key B33. It is one of the most modern and current openings of our time.
The starting position of the Sveshnikov variant arises from the following moves (see also: chess notation ):
- 1. e2-e4 c7-c5
- 2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
- 3. d2-d4 c5xd4
- 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6
- 5. Nb1-c3 e7-e5
There is also another variant that avoids the starting position, but then switches to the main variant with a train delay by changing the train :
- 1. e2 – e4 c7 – c5 2. Ng1 – f3 e7 – e6 3. d2 – d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 Ng8 – f6 5. Nb1 – c3 Nb8 – c6 (*) 6. Nd4 – b5 d7 – d6 7. Bc1 -F4 e6-e5 8. Bf4-g5
With this sequence of moves over the Sicilian Four Knights Game , Black avoids certain minor variations for White (e.g. in the diagram position 6. Nd4 – b5 d7 – d6 7. Nc3 – d5), but allows others, for example with (*) 6. Nd4xc6 .
history
The Sveshnikov variant has an unusually large number of names for a chess opening, it is also known as the Chelyabinsk variant , Lasker variant , Pelikan variant or combinations thereof ( e.g. Lasker-Pelikan-Sveshnikov variant ). The name Sveshnikov variant is the most common. All names are directly linked to the history of the variant.
Emanuel Lasker used the variant that was hardly known at the time in the 1910 world championship match against Carl Schlechter . He chose the little chance 6. Nd4 – b3 and gave Lasker an advantage, but kept the game still a draw . The variant was put on hold, as the positional weakness d5 after 6. Nd4 – b5 was considered difficult to compensate . Nevertheless, she always remained associated with the name Laskers . Since the hasty 6. Nd4xc6 b7xc6 only strengthens the black center, 6. Nd4 – b5 is the main line. In the mid-1950s, the Argentine Jorge Pelikan tried to continue Lasker's development, but only the Chelyabinsk Grand Master Yevgeny Sweschnikow was able to shape the variant now named after him into a respected weapon (the move 6 ... d7 – d6 is awarded to Herman Pilnik and was called before the Elaboration by the Soviet masters, including the Pilnik system). Sveshnikov popularized the pawn advance 8th ... or 9th ... b7 – b5 in order to exclude the Sa3. From this point on, the Sveshnikov variant was firmly established in tournament practice.
In the late 1990s there was even a real “boom” of the Sveshnikov variant. The top players Wladimir Kramnik , Joël Lautier and Péter Lékó played a key role in this . Today the Svezhnikov variant at the grandmaster level is one of the most popular and most discussed openings of all. It was used by Boris Gelfand in the 2012 World Championship match against Viswanathan Anand .
Ideas and ways of playing
The main black ideas are often associated with a peasant majority in the center . This arises when Black hits back with the pawn g7xf6 after Bg5xf6 and dissolves the double pawn with f6 – f5. Even a pawn sacrifice can be justified. Black receives active play in the half-open c- and g-lines and owns the bishop pair . The pawn advance b7 – b5 – b4 is also typical.
White controls the central square d5, which can be filled with a knight. The knight maneuver Nb5 – a3 – c2 – e3 – d5 is often used. In addition, White can play on the half-open d-file against the backward black pawn d6. Because of Black's pawn weaknesses, the endgame is often better for White.
Main variants
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Position of the Sveshnikov variant after 6. Nd4 – b5 d7 – d6
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Position after 7. Bc1 – g5 a7 – a6 8. Nb5 – a3 b7 – b5
In the main variations, the position in the diagram shows 6. Nd4 – b5 d7 – d6 - deviations from this tend to give the opponent a chance. The most important sequels are then:
7. Bc1 – g5 a7 – a6 Expels the knight. After 7.… Be7? 8. Bxf6 Black would still have to hit back with the g-pawn because of 8.… Bxf6 9. Nd6 +.
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8. Nb5 – a3 b7 – b5 This is the basic position of the main line. Black's last move threatens fork b5 – b4, but controls square c4 in particular. In the past the bishop was developed here with 8.… Be6, which allowed White to quickly place his knight on a favorable square again with Na3 – c4. After 8.… b7 – b5 this will cost White a few moves.
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9. Nc3 – d5 tends to lead to calm, positional positions
- 9.… Bf8 – e7 10. Bg5xf6 (since the tactical blow is threatening 10.… Nf6xd5. 10. Nd5xe7 is not recommended because after 10.… Nc6xe7! Along with ... Bc8 – b7, Black has problems on the weak d5 square and can advance with the d6.) Be7xf6 11. c2 – c3 Bf6 – g5 12. Sa3 – c2 with the idea a2 – a4. Eg 12.… 0–0 13. a2 – a4 b5xa4 14. Ra1xa4 a7 – a5 15. Bf1 – c4 Ra8 – b8 16. b2 – b3! Kg8 – h8 17. 0–0 f7 – f5 18. e4xf5 Bc8xf5 19. Nc2 – e3.
- 9. ... Qd8-a5 + 10. Bg5-d2-d8 Qa5 Now White has a choice with 11 Bg5 on repetition of moves to engage and draw or to derogate from having Nxf6 + or c4.
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9. Bg5xf6 g7xf6 leads to tactical, sharp positions. (9.… Qxf6 loses too much time because of 10.Nd5 Qd8. E.g. 11. c4 b4 12. Da4 Bd7 13. Nb5! Axb5 14. Qxa8 Qxa8 15. Nc7 + Kd8 16. Nxa8) 10. Nc3 – d5 f6 – f5 ( 10.… Bf8 – g7 is the Novosibirsk variant, which aims to eliminate the d5 blocking knight with 11. Bf1 – d3 Nc6 – e7.
- 11. c2 – c3 White would like to bring the knight a3 back into play via c2. 11.… Bf8 – g7 (After 11. ... fxe4? The sacrifice is 12. Bf1xb5 (compare 11. Bxb5) very strong.) 12. e4xf5 Bc8xf5 13. Sa3 – c2 0–0 14. Nc2 – e3 Bf5– e6 15. Bf1 – d3 or 15. g2 – g3
- 11. Bf1 – d3 Bc8 – e6 with the branches
- 12. 0–0 Be6xd5 13. e4xd5 Nc6 – e7 or
- 12. Qd1-h5 Bf8-g7 13. 0-0 f5-f4
- 11. e4xf5 Bc8xf5 12. c2-c3 Bf8-g7 13. Sa3-c2
- the sharp “sacrificial variant” 11. Bf1xb5 a6xb5 12. Na3xb5 Ra8 – a4 13. Nb5 – c7 + Ke8 – d7
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9. Nc3 – d5 tends to lead to calm, positional positions
- 8. Bg5xf6 leads to the main line 8.… gxf6 9. Nb5 – a3 b7 – b5.
- The old main line 8. Bg5xf6 g7xf6 9. Nb5 – a3 has no advantage for White and is almost always just a move change, but allows Black the alternative 9.… f6 – f5 (without the Chelyabinsk move b7 – b5). Dawid Janowski already played like this.
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Position after 6. Nd4 – b5 d7 – d6 7. Nc3 – d5 Nf6xd5 8. e4xd5
7. Nc3-d5. Because of the threat Nc7 + 7.… Nf6xd5 8. e4xd5 follows. This variant was played three times during the 2018 World Cup (8th, 10th and 12th game). Black's weakness on d5, which would otherwise offer White an outpost for a piece, is now blocked by a white pawn. It is now possible to have 8.… Nc6 – e7 or 8.… Nc6 – b8 9. c2 – c4 a7 – a6 10. Nc3 Bf8 – e7 11. Bf1 – e2 0–0 12. 0–0 f7 – f5. In this situation, White will use his pawn majority on the queenside and attack, while Black attacks on the kingside.
7. a2 – a4 prevents Black from spreading on the queenside and secures the maneuver Nb5 – a3 – c4 after a7 – a6.
A modification of the Sveshnikov variant is the Kalashnikov variant 2. Ng1 – f3 Nb8 – c6 3. d2 – d4 c5xd4 4. Nf3xd4 e7 – e5. Anand - Rəcəbov, Dortmund 2003 is an example game.
Sveshnikov variant in tournament practice
In recent years, the Sveshnikov variant has also become popular with club players. It is now common, but it is not as important as it is at the level of the grandmasters . The reason for the growing popularity also at the amateur level is the reputation of the Sveshnikov variant, which is considered to be very effective and at the same time easy to learn.
literature
- Yevgeny Svezhnikov : Sveshnikov's System . Caissa Commerce, 1998.
- Yuri Jakowitsch : The Complete Sveshnikov Sicilian . Gambit, 2002.
- Dorian Rogozenko : The Sveshnikov Reloaded . Quality Chess, 2005, ISBN 9197524352 .
- John Cox: starting out: the sicilian sveshnikov . Everyman Chess, 2007.