Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation
ECO B51 · 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+
The Moscow Variation, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+, is a popular anti-Sicilian that sidesteps the Najdorf and the Dragon with one bishop check. White usually exchanges light-squared bishops and plays a calm, space-gaining game instead of an Open Sicilian theory battle. Black has three answers: the solid 3...Bd7, the more ambitious 3...Nd7, and 3...Nc6, which allows White to double Black's pawns.
Plans for White
After 3...Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7, White chooses between 5.c4 and Nc3, a Maroczy-style bind that restricts ...b5 and ...d5, and 5.O-O with c3 and d4, building a classical center. Either way White develops quickly, keeps the center under control and looks for a small, lasting edge.
Plans for Black
Black is happy to trade a light-squared bishop that often has little scope in the Sicilian. Typical plans are ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and ...g6 with ...Bg7, or ...e6 with ...Be7, followed by queenside play with ...b5 or a central break with ...d5 when White's pieces are not ready.
Typical pawn structures
The c4-and-e4 bind against Black's d6 and e6 or g6 pawns is common; with c3 and d4, open-Sicilian structures arise after ...cxd4 cxd4.
Who it suits
White players who want a safe, low-theory weapon against 2...d6; Black players who are fine with quiet equality.
Common traps
In 3...Nd7 lines Black's development is slower, so a quick d4 and Nc3 can open the center while Black's king is still on e8. After 3...Nc6, White can take on c6 and leave Black with doubled c-pawns, so Black should know that structure before choosing it.
Variations
- Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Main Line — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7
- Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Sokolsky Variation — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4
- Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Dorfman Gambit — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. Qe2 g6 6. e5
- Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Haag Gambit — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4
- Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation, Moscow Gambit — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. c3 Nf6 6. Re1 a6 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. d4 Bxe4 9. Bg5
Related variations
- Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Closed
- Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit
- Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
- Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Czerniak Attack
- Sicilian Defense: Kronberger Variation
- Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack
- Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit
- Sicilian Defense: French Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations
- Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation
- Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack
- Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit
- Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack
- Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Pterodactyl
- Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted
- Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Prins Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation