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Sicilian Defense

Four Knights Variation, Sveshnikov Transfer

B45tacticalaggressive

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3e6
  3. 3.d4cxd4
  4. 4.Nxd4Nc6
  5. 5.Nc3Nf6
  6. 6.Ndb5d6
1,808 games52%42%

A Four Knights Sicilian line in which 6...d6 meets 6. Ndb5 and prepares ...e5, transposing into the Sveshnikov while avoiding the Rossolimo.

Train it in Theoria

About the Sveshnikov Transfer

Black meets 6. Ndb5 by covering d6 with 6...d6, giving up ...Bb4 and ...Bc5 ideas in favor of a later ...e5 and a transposition into the Sveshnikov. After 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 a6 9. Na3 b5 the main line arises, with the Rossolimo and 7. Nd5 lines of the usual move order avoided. 7. Bf4 is by far the most common reply. The rarer 7. Bg5 scores well for Black. The engine gives White a slight edge.

Popular continuations