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  3. /Sicilian Defense: Open (B32)
B32

Sicilian Defense: Open

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

Shirov,A59 gamesRadjabov,T44 gamesKamsky,G25 gamesDominguez Perez,L17 gamesMorozevich,A15 gamesNakamura,Hi14 gamesIvanchuk,V14 gamesNepomniachtchi,I13 gamesCarlsen,M13 gamesKarjakin,Sergey11 games

Related Openings

B30 - Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian1718B31 - Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation995B33 - 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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Ter Sahakyan,S vs Gelfand,B0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 19 2020Notable
Svidler,P vs Andreikin,D1-0
FIDE Candidates 2014 2014Notable
Carlsen,M vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
75th Tata Steel GpA 2013Notable
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Giri,A vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
20th Amber Rapid 2011Notable
Shirov,A vs Raupp,T1-0
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Ivanchuk,V vs Radjabov,T1-0
36th Olympiad 2004Notable
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Leko, Peter vs Kramnik, Vladimir1/2-1/2
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Short, Nigel D vs Polgar, Zsuzsa1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 2nd 1993Notable

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