Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Novosibirsk Variation
- 1.e4c5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.d4cxd4
- 4.Nxd4Nf6
- 5.Nc3e5
- 6.Ndb5d6
- 7.Bg5a6
- 8.Na3b5
- 9.Bxf6gxf6
- 10.Nd5Bg7
1,341 games
Sveshnikov Sicilian line in which Black answers 10. Nd5 with 10...Bg7, planning ...Ne7 to trade White's d5-knight while keeping the bishop pair.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Novosibirsk Variation
In the Novosibirsk Variation, Black meets 10. Nd5 with 10...Bg7 rather than 10...f5. This postpones the break with the doubled f-pawns and prepares ...Ne7 to exchange White's dominant knight on d5. Black keeps the bishop pair in return for the damaged kingside structure, while White's a3-knight remains offside. The most common reply is 11. c3, with 11. Bd3 and 11. c4 the main alternatives. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced.
Popular continuations
- 11. c3 Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Novosibirsk Variation 45% 609
- 11. Bd3 Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Novosibirsk Variation 25% 339
- 11. c4 Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Novosibirsk Variation 11% 144