Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Variation

1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.

1... c5
A counter-attacking opening. The asymmetry generally leads to sharp games.

2. Nf3

2... Nc6
Developing a knight to its most natural square, but potentially blocking the c-pawn. This move can lead to the Sveshnikov or Accelerated Dragon lines.

3. Bb5
Putting pressure on the knight on c6, potentially doubling the pawns after Bxc6. This move also prepares to castle kingside.

3... d6
Helping control the e5 square and allowing activation of the light squared bishop. However this move also allows white to double black's pawns.

• 3... a6: Attacking the white bishop, aiming to win the bishop pair.
• 3... e6: Intending to expand in the center to gain space, or to play Nge7 to avoid the doubling of black's c-pawns.
• 3... g6: Developing the dark squared bishop. It will provide long term pressure on the center and the entire long diagonal.

4. Bxc6+
Exchanging the bishop for the knight in order to give Black doubled pawns.

• 4. O-O: Castling kingside quickly and choosing not to trade on c6. White will likely try to preserve the bishop pair and use the development advantage instead.

4... bxc6
Recapturing on c6. Black's doubled pawns are a weakness, but the bishop pair is an advantage. The position is fairly equal even though the game is imbalanced.

5. O-O
Castling kingside with the aim of using the lead in development and Black's doubled pawns to prove an advantage.

5... Nf6