B39

Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Breyer 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.

Best Games

Anand, Viswanathan vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Amber-blind 6th • 1997★ Notable
Kramnik, Vladimir vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 3rd • 1994★ Notable
Portisch, Lajos vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1/2-1/2
Interzonal playoff-8pl • 1964★ Notable
Timman,J vs Ljubojevic,L1/2-1/2
Platja d'Aro Legends Blitz • 2017
Leko,P vs Radjabov,T0-1
SportAccord Rapid Men 2012 • 2012
Leko, Peter vs Piket, Jeroen1-0
Tilburg Fontys • 1997
Xie Jun vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 5th • 1996
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1-0
Amber-rapid 3rd • 1994
Short, Nigel D vs Larsen, Bent0-1
Brussels • 1987
Karpov, Anatoly vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Brussels • 1987
Timman, Jan H vs Larsen, Bent1-0
Brussels blitz • 1987
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1987
Short, Nigel D vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Hastings8788 • 1987
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Velimirovic, Dragoljub1-0
Reggio Emilia8687 • 1986
Csom, Istvan vs Short, Nigel D1-0
Dortmund • 1983
Portisch, Lajos vs Petrosian, Tigran V1/2-1/2
Candidats qf2 • 1974
Portisch, Lajos vs Petrosian, Tigran V1/2-1/2
Candidats qf2 • 1974
Portisch, Lajos vs Larsen, Bent1-0
Lugano ol (Men) • 1968
Geller, Efim P vs Barczay, Laszlo1/2-1/2
Sousse Interzonal • 1967
Larsen, Bent vs Petrosian, Tigran V1-0
Santa Monica • 1966

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