Boleslavsky Variation, Louma Variation
- 1.e4c5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.d4cxd4
- 4.Nxd4Nf6
- 5.Nc3d6
- 6.Be2e5
- 7.Nxc6
149 games
A rare reply to the Boleslavsky Sicilian in which White trades knights on c6 with 7. Nxc6 instead of retreating, reaching a roughly balanced position.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Louma Variation
The Louma Variation meets 6...e5 with 7. Nxc6, exchanging the attacked knight rather than retreating it with 7. Nb3 or 7. Nf3. Black recaptures 7...bxc6 in practically every game. This brings a pawn toward the center, half-opens the b-file and supports a later ...d5 break, which would ease the backward d6-pawn problem. The line is rarely played. Black scores slightly better with it online, and the engine regards the position as roughly balanced.