Taimanov Variation, Modern Line
- 1.e4c5
- 2.Nf3e6
- 3.d4cxd4
- 4.Nxd4Nc6
- 5.Nb5d6
- 6.c4Nf6
- 7.N1c3a6
- 8.Na3Be7
- 9.Be2O-O
- 10.O-Ob6
26 games
A Szén line of the Sicilian Taimanov in which Black meets White's Maróczy Bind with ...Be7, ...O-O and ...b6, adopting a Hedgehog setup.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Modern Line
The Modern Line is a quiet answer to the Maróczy Bind in the Szén Variation. Instead of opening the center with the Gary Gambit, 8...d5, Black first develops the dark-squared bishop with 8...Be7 and castles with 9...O-O. Only then does Black play 10...b6, which prepares a queenside fianchetto behind the d6 and e6 pawns in a Hedgehog structure. With pawns fixed on c4 and e4, White usually continues 11. Be3. The engine rates the position as close to balanced, and the line is rarely played.