Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Chelyabinsk Variation

The Chelyabinsk Variation, 9. Nd5, is White's most common answer to Sveshnikov's 8...b5. It differs from 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5, where White first exchanges on f6. Here White occupies the d5 outpost at once. This defuses the threat of ...b4 because the knight has already left c3. Black keeps an intact kingside pawn structure, but the pin on the f6-knight remains and the a3-knight is still sidelined. The play therefore turns on White's grip on d5 against Black's extra queenside space and active pieces.

Black almost always replies 9...Be7, breaking the pin so that a later exchange on f6 can be met by a piece recapture. The check 9...Qa5+ is a rare alternative that has given Black respectable results. 9...Be6 is seen even less, and White has scored well against it. Overall results in this position are close to even, and the engine rates it as roughly balanced. This fits the line's standing as a heavily analyzed main branch of the Sveshnikov.