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Sicilian Defense

Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Brooklyn Retreat Defense

B30offbeat

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5Nb8
423 games49%46%

A joke line of the Rossolimo Sicilian in which Black answers 3. Bb5 by retreating the knight to b8, conceding two tempi and handing White a lasting edge.

Train it in Theoria

About the Brooklyn Retreat Defense

The Brooklyn Retreat Defense meets 3. Bb5 in the Rossolimo with 3...Nb8, returning the knight to its starting square to escape the pin and any doubled pawns. The cost is two tempi, and the line is regarded as a meme rather than serious theory. White can mirror the retreat with 4. Bf1, restoring the position after 2. Nf3, or simply develop with 4. O-O, 4. d4 or 4. c3. The engine gives White a slight edge.

Popular continuations