Misplaced Pages

Sicilian Defence, Katalymov Variation

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
(Redirected from Sicilian Defence, Katalimov Variation)

Chess opening
Sicilian Defence, Katalymov Variation
abcdefgh
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rooka7 black pawnd7 black pawne7 black pawnf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawnb6 black pawnc5 black pawne4 white pawnf3 white knighta2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 white pawnf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawna1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishoph1 white rook8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Moves1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 b6
ECOB27
Named afterBoris Katalymov
ParentSicilian Defence

In chess, the Katalymov Variation (also spelled Katalimov) is a less popular line of the Sicilian Defence that begins with the moves:

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 b6
This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Discussion

The Katalymov is considered inferior since it commits Black to a plan with ...b6 rather than more aggressive Sicilian defences incorporating ...b7–b5. Black must protect the b5-square, as an invasion by a white knight or bishop would be very annoying. For example, White retains a slight plus after 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bb7 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bd3 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Nf3 d6 9.0–0 Nf6 10.Qe1 0–0 11.Qh4 Nbd7 12.Bd2.

The opening is a favorite of French GM Christian Bauer, with which he managed to draw a game in 2005 against currently top-ranked GM Magnus Carlsen. It has also been used by top players such as Gata Kamsky, Russian GM Pavel Ponkratov and Soviet GM Lev Psakhis.

The opening is named after Soviet IM Boris Katalymov (1932–2013).

See also

References

  1. Schiller (1998), p. 405
  2. Kasparov, Gary; Keene, Raymond (1982). Batsford Chess Openings. American Chess Promotions. pp. 236–37. ISBN 0-7134-2112-6.
  3. "Magnus Carlsen vs. Christian Bauer – 38th Biel Chess Festival (2005)". Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  4. "Ray Robson vs. Gata Kamsky – 2012 US Championship". Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  5. "Pavel Ponkratov chess games". 365Chess.com. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  6. Benjamin, Joel; Schiller, Eric (1987). Unorthodox Openings. Macmillan Publishing Company. p. 89. ISBN 0-02-016590-0.
  7. "The risky Katalimov Sicilian". 23 September 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.

Bibliography

Chess
Outline
Equipment
History
Rules
Terms
Tactics
Strategy
Openings
Flank opening
King's Pawn Game
Queen's Pawn Game
Other
Endgames
Tournaments
Art and media
Related
Category: