Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, English Attack

Before the first move

The Taimanov Sicilian is a flexible and resilient defense where Black develops the queen and knights before committing the kingside pieces. By avoiding an early d6, you keep your options open for a later d5 break. White's English Attack setup with Be3 aims for aggressive kingside expansion and long-range pressure.

1. e4White

White opens with e4, the most popular and aggressive first move. By controlling d5 and f5, White invites an open game. You will have to decide how to respond; while the Sicilian is sharp, alternatives like e5, the French, or the Caro-Kann lead to very different structures.

1... c5Black · your move

Move your pawn to c5 to start the Sicilian Defense. This move fights for the d4 square from the flank, creating an asymmetrical position where you can later use the semi-open c-file for counterplay against White's king.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

2. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, the standard preparation for the Open Sicilian. White intends to blast open the center with d4. You might occasionally see the Bowdler Attack with Bc4 or the closed systems like the Grand Prix, but this knight move is the main highway of high-level chess.

Other paths here: Qg4 (Sicilian Defense: Amazon Attack) · Bc4 (Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack) · Nh3 (Sicilian Defense: Brick Variation) · g4 (Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation)

2... e6Black · your move

Push your pawn to e6. This move reinforces the center and prepares to develop your dark-squared bishop. It characterizes the Taimanov and Kan variations, where you delay d6 to keep the center fluid and your king's bishop active.

Other paths here: f5 (Sicilian Defense: Brussels Gambit) · h6 (Sicilian Defense: Bücker Variation) · g6 (Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Dragon) · e5 (Sicilian Defense: Jalalabad Variation)

3. d4White

White plays d4, the defining move of the Open Sicilian. White accepts a slightly compromised pawn structure in exchange for rapid piece activity and space. Alternatively, White could try the Alapin with c3 or the more positional d3, but d4 is the most challenging test.

Other paths here: c3 (Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation, with e6) · b3 (Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Westerinen Attack) · c4 (Sicilian Defense: Kramnik Variation) · b4 (Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit Deferred)

3... cxd4Black · your move

Capture the d4 pawn with your c-pawn. This trade is essential to the Sicilian strategy, exchanging a flank pawn for a central one and opening the c-file for your rook and queen to exert pressure later.

Other paths here: a6 (Sicilian Defense: Drazic Variation) · d5 (Sicilian Defense: Marshall Counterattack)

4. Nxd4White

White recaptures with the knight, placing it in the heart of the board. From d4, the knight is a menace that Black must eventually respect or challenge. White could technically play c3 for a delayed Smith-Morra, but taking with the knight is the principled choice.

Other paths here: c3 (Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Deferred)

4... Nc6Black · your move

Develop your knight to c6. This is the signature move of the Taimanov Variation, immediately challenging the centralized white knight and preparing to put pressure on the e5 square. It keeps your development compact and efficient.

Other paths here: Nf6 (Sicilian Defense: French Variation, Normal) · Qb6 (Sicilian Defense: Kveinis Variation) · Bc5 (Sicilian Defense: Paulsen-Basman Defense) · d6 (Sicilian: Open, 2...e6, 4.Nxd4 d6)

5. Nc3White

White develops the second knight to c3, reinforcing e4. This is the most common response, though you will sometimes see White try to jump the other knight to b5 immediately or play the Maroczy Bind setup with c4 to clamp down on the d5 square.

Other paths here: Nb5 (Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Szén Variation) · Be2 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 5.Be2) · Be3 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 5.Be3) · c4 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 5.c4)

5... Qc7Black · your move

Slide your queen to c7. This is a key square in the Taimanov, where the queen eyes the e5 square, pressures the c-file, and stays safe from early attacks. It is a multitasking move that prepares for your kingside development.

Other paths here: Bb4 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 5.Nc3 Bb4) · d6 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 5.Nc3 d6) · a6 (Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation) · Nf6 (Sicilian: Taimanov, Four Knights, 6.a3)

6. Be3White

White plays Be3, signaling the aggressive English Attack. White intends to follow up with f3, Qd2, and long castling. You might also encounter Be2 for a more positional game or the immediate Ndb5, but Be3 is the most modern and dangerous weapon.

Other paths here: Be2 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 6.Be2) · f4 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 6.f4) · g3 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 6.g3) · Ndb5 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 6.Ndb5)

Where you stand

The position is a sharp battle of ideas. White plans a queenside castle followed by a kingside pawn storm with f3, g4, and h4. Black will counter by expanding on the queenside with a6 and b5, aiming to use the semi-open c-file to create threats before White's attack hits home. Precision in move order is vital for both sides.

• a7-a6 Prevent knight jumps and prepare b5
• c1-e3 Support d4 and prepare Qd2
• f2-f3 Solidify e4 and support g4 storm
• c8-d7 Develop bishop to support queenside play
• e1-c1 Castle long to launch kingside attack