King's English Variation, Taimanov Variation

The Taimanov Variation arises when Black meets the fianchetto of 3. g3 with one of its own. After 3...g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 the position is a Closed Sicilian with colors reversed. The g2-bishop presses on d5 and the long diagonal, while the g7-bishop supports e5 and eyes the queenside. Neither side has committed its d-pawn or king's knight, so the next few moves decide the structure. Black usually keeps the e5-pawn as a central anchor. White normally works on the queenside and the light squares rather than trying for an early d4.

5. e3 is the most common reply. It prepares Nge2 and keeps d4 in reserve. 5. d3 is the Closed System, a flexible setup in which White scores slightly worse than after the other main moves. 5. Nf3 develops conventionally. 5. Rb1, the Hungarian Attack, prepares b4 and an immediate queenside expansion. The engine rates the position as close to balanced and prefers d3, e3 and Rb1. In practice White scores somewhat better, and draws are rare.