Kramnik Variation of the Sicilian Defense ⎸Chess Openings

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The Kramnik Sicilian is a very underrated weapon white has against the e6 Sicilians. As opposed to the Kan, Paulsen or the Taimanov, this setup deprives black of possibilities and makes white’s game much simpler.

If you lack knowledge in the basics of the Sicilian Defense you can watch this introductory video first: youtu.be/impkeLfyyVM

The Kramnik Variations starts after the moves:

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 e6
3. c4 – this move signifies the opening. White is creating a Maróczy Bind with pawns on c4 and e4, which prevents black from forcing the move d5 through comfortably. The resulting positions often provide white with more space in the center and on the queenside, and as a downside, white will generally have a much worse light squared bishop.

Black continues the position with Nc6, a move designed to reduce the power of 4. d4, if white should choose to play it.

White can continue with either Nc3, a more solid option, often leading to closed, maneuvering positions, or with d4, opening up the center of the board and going for aggressive play.

The opening was developed by the great Vladimir Kramnik and he employed it successfully against world’s best in the 90-es. You should start by studying his games, and then go on to study games of top grandmasters in the variation.

As always, I’d advise you to study the games over the board without an engine and without moving the pieces while calculating. That way you can improve your calculation, as well as develop some ideas of your own on how to approach the middlegame positions.