Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...b6

Sicilian - Katalimov variation
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/p2ppppp/1p6/2p5/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 b6

Sicilian - Katalimov variation

2...b6

This fianchetto of the Queen's Bishop leaves Black with many weak white colored squares on the Queenside where allowing a possible Bb5 or Nb5, while it does nothing to develop on the Kingside. White's best move is 3. d4 and sets a trap if Black plays 7...d6??, White can win a queen with 8. Bb5+! (see diagram below).

Position after 8. Bb5+!
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) r2qkbnr/pb2pppp/1p1p4/1B6/3BP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKB1R w
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 b6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Bb7 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Be3 Nxd4 7. Bxd4 d6 8. Bb5+

Theory table

For explanation of notation, see Chess Opening Theory Table.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 b6

	3	4	5
	d4 cxd4	Nxd4 Bb7	Nc3 d6	+=
	... Bb7	d5	+=
	g3 Bb7	Qe2 Qc7	Bg2 Nc6	0-0 Nd4?!	+=

References

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.