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ECO B20-B99BlackA line in the Sicilian Defense

Learn the Taimanov Variation: Main Line line in the Sicilian Defense

The Taimanov is a flexible, modern system where Black delays committing the d-pawn; ...Qc7, ...a6 and ...Nc6 give a harmonious setup with options of ...d6, ...d5 or ...b5.

The moves you’ll play

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3e6
  3. 3.d4cxd4
  4. 4.Nxd4Nc6
  5. 5.Nc3Qc7
  6. 6.Be2a6
  7. 7.O-ONf6
  8. 8.Be3Be7

The line continues — master it move by move in the app.

Your coach, move by move

  1. 1... c5We play the Sicilian to fight for an asymmetric, double-edged game.
  2. 2... e6We open the c-file and head into a flexible Open Sicilian where we keep our pawn structure undefined.
  3. 3... cxd4We develop the knight to pressure d4 and keep both ...d5 and ...d6 breaks available, the hallmark of the Taimanov.
  4. +4 more coached moves waiting in the app

Key ideas behind this line

  • Exploit the half-open c-file: Black trades the c-pawn for White's d-pawn, then generates queenside pressure with ...Rc8, ...Qc7/...Qa5, and the thematic ...b5-b4 pawn storm to harass the Nc3.
  • Win the opposite-side castling race: when White castles long and attacks with f3, g4, h4 (English Attack, Yugoslav Attack), Black must launch the queenside pawns and pieces faster than White's kingside assault arrives.
  • Manage the d5 hole: after ...e5 structures (Najdorf, Sveshnikov) Black concedes a backward d-pawn and the d5 square in return for active pieces and the bishop pair, fighting to neutralize any white knight that lands on d5.

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More lines in this opening

Najdorf Variation: English Attack, 6...e5

The Najdorf is the flagship Sicilian: ...a6 controls b5 and prepares queenside expansion, while 6...e5 seizes the center and fights for d4 and f4.

Najdorf Variation: Main Line 6.Be2

Against the classical 6.Be2, Black sets up a solid scheme with ...e5 and quick castling, aiming for ...Be6, ...Nbd7 and play on the queenside.

Najdorf Variation: 6.Bg5 Main Line

The sharpest test of the Najdorf; Black answers the pin with the solid ...e6 and ...Be7 setup, aiming for ...Nbd7 and counterplay against e4 and on the queenside.

Najdorf Variation: Poisoned Pawn

The famous Poisoned Pawn: Black grabs b2 to disrupt White's coordination, accepting a lead in development for White in exchange for an extra pawn and dynamic defensive chances.

Classical Sicilian: Richter-Rauzer

The Richter-Rauzer arises after 5...Nc6 6.Bg5; Black develops solidly with ...e6 and ...Be7, then castles and seeks counterplay with ...a6, ...Nxd4 and ...b5 on the queenside.

Scheveningen Variation: Classical Main Line

The Scheveningen builds the flexible 'small center' with pawns on d6 and e6, giving Black a resilient, elastic structure with counterplay against e4 and along the c-file.

Sveshnikov Variation: Main Line

The Sveshnikov accepts a backward d-pawn and a d5 hole in exchange for active piece play, the bishop pair, and dynamic counterchances; ...b5 grabs queenside space and restrains White's knights.

Kalashnikov Variation

A close relative of the Sveshnikov where Black delays ...Nf6; the ...e5/...d6 center and quick queenside expansion give Black the bishop pair and active counterplay.

Kan (Paulsen) Variation: Main Line

The Kan is a hyper-flexible system: early ...a6 and ...e6 give Black a small, resilient center and the chance to develop pieces to ideal squares while keeping the structure fluid.

Accelerated Dragon: Maroczy Bind

In the Accelerated Dragon Black fianchettoes quickly; against the Maroczy Bind he trades a pair of knights and aims for the freeing ...Be6 and ...a5 plans to fight the c4/e4 clamp.

Dragon Variation: Yugoslav Attack

The Dragon fianchettoes the bishop to g7 to bear down the long diagonal; against the Yugoslav Attack Black castles and counterattacks with ...Rc8, ...a6, ...b5 and the thematic exchange sac on c3.

Four Knights Variation

The Four Knights is a sound, dynamic line where after 6.Ndb5 Black gains time on White's knights with ...d6, ...e5 and ...a6, reaching a Sveshnikov-like structure with active piece play.

Anti-Sicilian: Rossolimo (3.Bb5)

Against the popular Rossolimo, Black avoids the doubled pawns with ...e6 and ...Nge7, then gains the bishop pair and a strong center with ...b5 and the freeing ...d5 break.

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