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Sicilian Defense

Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Bird Variation

B33tacticaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.d4cxd4
  4. 4.Nxd4Nf6
  5. 5.Nc3e5
  6. 6.Ndb5d6
  7. 7.Bg5a6
  8. 8.Na3Be6
637 games51%45%

A Sveshnikov Sicilian sideline where Black meets 8. Na3 with 8...Be6 instead of 8...b5, developing quickly but letting White's knight reach c4.

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About the Bird Variation

The Bird Variation of the Lasker-Pelikan, or Sveshnikov Sicilian, replaces the standard 8...b5 with 8...Be6. The bishop develops at once and contests d5, while Black's queenside pawns stay at home. The cost is that the a3-knight is no longer kept off c4. 9. Nc4 is the most common reply and the engine's choice, bringing the knight back toward d6 and b6. The main alternatives are 9. Nd5 and 9. Bxf6, and the engine gives White a slight edge.

Popular continuations