Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Schlechter Variation

The Schlechter Variation is a sideline of the Lasker-Pelikan, or Sveshnikov, Sicilian in which White answers 5...e5 by retreating the d4-knight to b3. Unlike 6. Ndb5, the retreat carries no threat of Nd6+, so Black is not obliged to commit the d-pawn, and the f8-bishop remains free to develop outside the pawn chain. Like 6. Nf3, the move is considered to give White nothing in particular in return for that concession, and theory regards it as allowing Black easy equality.

The standard reply, 6...Bb4, is chosen in roughly three games out of four. It pins the c3-knight and threatens to win the e4-pawn, so White must spend time on its defense. When Black later plays ...d6, the bishop is already active, giving the ...e5 Najdorf structure without the bishop shut in behind the d-pawn. The more modest 6...d6 and 6...Be7 are far less common. The engine assesses the position as roughly balanced, and practical results are close to even.