Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation

Before the first move

The Taimanov Sicilian is a flexible and resilient system for Black. By placing your queen on c7 and knight on c6, you create a solid setup that avoids many of the sharpest theoretical traps while preparing a powerful queenside expansion.

1. e4White

White opens with e4, the most popular choice at all levels. It immediately fights for central control and prepares to develop the kingside pieces rapidly.

1... c5Black · your move

Move your pawn to c5. By challenging the d4-square from the flank, you create an asymmetrical position where you can fight for the initiative later.

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

2. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, the standard prelude to the Open Sicilian. Alternatives like the Bowdler Attack with Bc4 or the Keres Variation with Ne2 are less common but require care.

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 solidifies your center and prepares to develop your dark-squared bishop or queen, while blunting White's e4 pawn.

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 the central break d4. If White prefers a slower game, they might try the Delayed Alapin with c3 or the King's Indian Attack setup with d3.

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 pawn on d4. This trade removes White's central pawn and opens the c-file for your future counterplay with your rooks and queen.

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

4. Nxd4White

White recaptures with the knight, keeping the position open. The Smith-Morra Gambit with c3 is a rare alternative here, but the knight recapture is the main road.

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

4... Nc6Black · your move

Develop your knight to c6. This move immediately challenges White's well-placed knight on d4 and prepares to control the center with your pieces.

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 other knight to c3. Other setups include the Maroczy Bind with c4 or the more aggressive Nb5, which tries to exploit the d6-square immediately.

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 the hallmark of the Taimanov, placing the queen on a safe, active square where it eyes the c-file and e5.

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, a solid developing move. You might also encounter the English Attack setup with f4 or the more positional g3, aiming to fianchetto the other bishop.

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

6... a6Black · your move

Push your pawn to a6. This essential move controls the b5-square, preventing White's knights or bishop from jumping in to harass your queen.

Other paths here: Nf6 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 6.Be3 Nf6)

7. Be2White

White plays Be2, choosing a classical and restrained setup. More aggressive tries include Qd2 to prepare long castling or the direct f4 to start a kingside pawn storm.

Other paths here: a3 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 6.Be3 a6 7.a3) · Bd3 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 6.Be3 a6 7.Bd3) · f4 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 6.Be3 a6 7.f4) · Qd2 (Sicilian: Taimanov, 6.Be3 a6 7.Qd2)

Where you stand

The position is balanced and rich with strategic depth. Black will likely expand on the queenside with b5 and Bb7, while White will castle and look for central or kingside play. Both sides have reached a flexible middlegame where understanding the pawn breaks is more important than memorizing long forced lines.

• b7-b5 Expand on the queenside to gain space
• c8-b7 Fianchetto the bishop to pressure e4
• e1-g1 Castle kingside to secure the king
• f2-f4 Start a kingside attack or central support