Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation
ECO B44, B45, B46 · 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6
The Taimanov Variation, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6, combines ...e6 with an early ...Nc6 and keeps the d-pawn flexible. Named after Mark Taimanov, it is one of the most flexible Sicilians.
Plans for White
White chooses among Nc3 with Be3 and Qd2 or Qf3 (the English Attack style), Be2 and O-O, or Nb5 ideas aimed at the d6 square. The Maróczy-style c4 is also possible.
Plans for Black
Black plays ...Qc7, ...a6, ...Nf6 and often ...Bb4 to pin the c3 knight, keeping ...d6 or ...d5 in reserve. Exchanges on d4 followed by ...b5 or ...Bc5 are common.
Typical pawn structures
Flexible: often a Scheveningen-like center (d6/e6) or an open position after ...d5.
Who it suits
Players who like solid but flexible Sicilians with less forcing theory than the Najdorf, and who are comfortable with many move-order transpositions.
Common traps
The Nb5-d6 jump can be dangerous if Black neglects the d6 square, and pins on the c3 knight can win e4 for Black.
Variations
- Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7
- Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Szén Variation — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5
- Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Nf6 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 d5
- Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Nf6 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 Be7 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O b6
Related variations
- Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Closed
- Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit
- Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
- Sicilian Defense: Kan 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