Sicilian Defence, Katalymov Variation

Last updated

Sicilian Defence, Katalymov Variation
abcdefgh
8
Chessboard480.svg
Chess rdt45.svg
Chess ndt45.svg
Chess bdt45.svg
Chess qdt45.svg
Chess kdt45.svg
Chess bdt45.svg
Chess ndt45.svg
Chess rdt45.svg
Chess pdt45.svg
Chess pdt45.svg
Chess pdt45.svg
Chess pdt45.svg
Chess pdt45.svg
Chess pdt45.svg
Chess pdt45.svg
Chess pdt45.svg
Chess plt45.svg
Chess nlt45.svg
Chess plt45.svg
Chess plt45.svg
Chess plt45.svg
Chess plt45.svg
Chess plt45.svg
Chess plt45.svg
Chess plt45.svg
Chess rlt45.svg
Chess nlt45.svg
Chess blt45.svg
Chess qlt45.svg
Chess klt45.svg
Chess blt45.svg
Chess rlt45.svg
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Moves1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 b6
ECO B27
Named after Boris Katalymov
Parent Sicilian Defence

In chess, the Katalymov Variation (also spelled Katalimov) is a less popular line of the Sicilian Defence that begins with the moves:

Contents

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 b6

Discussion

The Katalymov is considered inferior since it commits Black to a plan with ...b6 rather than more aggressive Sicilian defences incorporating ...b7–b5. [1] Black must protect the b5-square, as an invasion by a white knight or bishop would be very annoying. For example, White retains a slight plus after 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bb7 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bd3 g6 7.f4 Bg7 8.Nf3 d6 9.0–0 Nf6 10.Qe1 0–0 11.Qh4 Nbd7 12.Bd2. [2]

The opening is a favorite of French GM Christian Bauer, with which he managed to draw a game in 2005 against currently top-ranked GM Magnus Carlsen. [3] It has also been used by top players such as Gata Kamsky, [4] Russian GM Pavel Ponkratov [5] and Soviet GM Lev Psakhis. [6]

The opening is named after Soviet IM Boris Katalymov (1932–2013). [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

In chess, an irregular opening is an opening considered unusual or unorthodox. In the early 19th century the term was used for any opening not beginning with 1.e4 e5 or 1.d4 d5. As opening theory has developed and openings formerly considered "irregular" have become standard, the term has been used less frequently.

The Grünfeld Defence is a chess opening characterised by the moves:

The Modern Defense is a hypermodern chess opening in which Black allows White to occupy the center with pawns on d4 and e4, then proceeds to attack and undermine this "ideal" center without attempting to occupy it. The opening has been most notably used by British grandmasters Nigel Davies and Colin McNab.

The English Opening is a chess opening that begins with the move:

The Hippopotamus Defence is a chess opening system employed by Black, consisting of a double fianchetto structure and a small pawn centre. The knights are typically developed to e7 and d7 and the rook's pawns to a6 and h6. This structure can be obtained by a wide variety of move orders but it occurs most frequently via the Modern Defence or Owen's Defence. The Hippopotamus can also be played against queen's pawn openings or flank openings and is thus a genuinely universal system. The same structure is also occasionally utilized by White.

The Ware Opening, also known as Meadow Hay Opening, is an uncommon chess opening for White beginning with the move:

Anderssen's Opening is a chess opening defined by the opening move:

The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack is a chess opening typically starting with the move: 1.b3 but sometimes introduced by the move order 1.Nf3 and then 2.b3. The flank opening move 1.b3 prepares to fianchetto the queen's bishop where it will help control the central squares in hypermodern fashion and put pressure on Black's kingside.

The Keres Defence is a chess opening characterised by the moves:

The St. George Defence is an unorthodox chess opening for Black. The opening begins with the moves:

The Colle System, also known as the Colle–Koltanowski System, is a chess opening system for White, popularised in the 1920s by the Belgian master Edgard Colle and further developed by George Koltanowski.

Owen's Defence is an uncommon chess opening defined by the moves:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eduard Gufeld</span> Soviet chess player

Eduard Yefimovich Gufeld was a Soviet/American International Grandmaster of chess, and a chess author.

In chess, the Cambridge Springs Defense is a variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined that begins with the moves:

The London System is an opening system in chess where White opens with 1.d4 and develops the dark-squared bishop to f4, then supports the d4-pawn with pawns on e3 and c3. The other bishop is developed to d3 and the knights typically to f3 and d2. This set-up often results in a closed game. The London System can be used against virtually any Black defence and thus comprises a smaller body of opening theory than many other openings. Although it has a reputation as a solid opening, the London System has faced criticism for its tedious nature and lack of dynamic play.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Chess Championship 2014</span>

The World Chess Championship 2014 was a match between the world champion Magnus Carlsen and challenger Viswanathan Anand, to determine the World Chess Champion. It was held from 7 to 25 November 2014, under the auspices of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) in Sochi, Russia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Chess Championship 2013</span> Chess match between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen

The World Chess Championship 2013 was a match between reigning world champion Viswanathan Anand and challenger Magnus Carlsen, to determine the World Chess Champion. It was held from 7 to 25 November 2013 in Chennai, India, under the auspices of FIDE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Chess Championship 2018</span> Chess match between Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana

The World Chess Championship 2018 was a match between the reigning world champion since 2013, Magnus Carlsen, and the challenger Fabiano Caruana to determine the World Chess Champion. The 12-game match, organised by FIDE and its commercial partner Agon, was played at The College in Holborn, London, between 9 and 28 November 2018. The games were broadcast on worldchess.com and by NRK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aleksandr Shimanov</span> Russian chess player (born 1992)

Aleksandr Shimanov is a Russian chess player. He was awarded the title of Grandmaster (GM) by FIDE in 2009.

References

  1. Schiller (1998), p. 405
  2. Kasparov, Gary; Keene, Raymond (1982). Batsford Chess Openings. American Chess Promotions. pp. 236–37. ISBN   0-7134-2112-6.
  3. "Magnus Carlsen vs. Christian Bauer – 38th Biel Chess Festival (2005)" . Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  4. "Ray Robson vs. Gata Kamsky – 2012 US Championship" . Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  5. "Pavel Ponkratov chess games". 365Chess.com. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  6. Benjamin, Joel; Schiller, Eric (1987). Unorthodox Openings. Macmillan Publishing Company. p. 89. ISBN   0-02-016590-0.
  7. "The risky Katalimov Sicilian". 23 September 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.

Bibliography