B31
Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation
Key moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The Rossolimo Variation (3.Bb5 against 2...Nc6) is a sophisticated Anti-Sicilian where White avoids the Open Sicilian in favour of a positional approach. White aims to double Black's pawns and establish a solid position.
History & Notable Players
Named after GM Nicolas Rossolimo, this line became extremely popular in the 21st century as a practical alternative to the Open Sicilian.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
B30 - Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian1718B32 - Sicilian Defense: Open410B33 - Sicilian Defense: Open1327B34 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation107B35 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Modern Bc4 Variation278B36 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind317B37 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind89B38 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind297B39 - Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Breyer Variation91
Best Games
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12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
87th Tata Steel Masters • 2025★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Rapport,R1/2-1/2
45th Olympiad 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Keymer,Vincent vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
57th Biel GM1 Qual 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Le,Quang Liem0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Giri,A vs Le,Quang Liem1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Giri,A vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
So,W vs Gukesh,D1-0
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2022★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Gukesh,D0-1
44th Olympiad 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Carlsen,M0-1
84th Tata Steel Masters • 2022★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2021★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
8th Norway Chess 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs He,Anthony1-0
PNWCC Blitz Championship • 2020★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Bernadskiy,V1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 16 • 2020★ Notable
Eljanov,P vs Le Quang Liem0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 14 • 2020★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Le,Harry1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 14 • 2020★ Notable
Raja,H vs Le Quang Liem0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 • 2020★ Notable
Anand,V vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
82nd Tata Steel GpA • 2020★ Notable