Lasker-Pelikan Variation

The Lasker-Pelikan Variation, better known as the Sveshnikov Sicilian after the Latvian grandmaster Evgeny Sveshnikov, arises when Black meets 5. Nc3 with 5...e5, evicting the d4-knight before committing the d-pawn. Delaying ...d6 keeps the f8-bishop free. If the knight retreats passively, ...Bb4 pins the c3-knight and pressures e4, so Black gets the ...e5 Najdorf structure without the bishop shut in behind d6.

The main reply, 6. Ndb5, appears in more than half of all games and is the engine's first choice. Its threat of Nd6+ practically forces 6...d6, and 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 then leads to the Sveshnikov Variation with 8...b5 or the Bird Variation with 8...Be6. 6. Nde2 is the significant sideline, guarding c3 against ...Bb4 and ...Bxc3. The Retreat Variation, 6. Nf3, and the Schlechter Variation, 6. Nb3, let the bishop out freely, and Black scores well against 6. Nf3. The Exchange Variation, 6. Nxc6 bxc6, hands Black control of d5, and 6. Nf5 is met by 6...d5. The engine gives White a slight edge, and results are close to even.