Rossolimo Attack (Pin Variation) | Sicilian Defense Theory

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The Rossolimo Attack (Also known as Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack or the Pin Variation) is a very useful weapon for white to have against the Sicilian Defense.

It could confuse Sicilian players, get them out of their comfort zone, and make them play positions they aren’t used to.

If you are unfamiliar with the basics of the Sicilian Defense, here is an introductory video I made that covers the main opening principles and common variations: youtu.be/impkeLfyyVM

For more Sicilian Defense theory try out these variations:

The Accelerated Dragon: youtu.be/rd1eKLJ3DGQ
Prins Variation: youtu.be/T7qzruXqPsw
The Alapin Sicilian: youtu.be/VGP0qWscORM
The Grand Prix Attack: youtu.be/hqJOyV9_Bms
The Najdorf (part 1): youtu.be/BPg1bSeJYNg
The Najdorf (part 2): youtu.be/Ls5I8pC26Zc
Sicilian Kan: youtu.be/9CxgfDX44Ug
Kramnik Variation: youtu.be/04mHPHxmdkg
The Smith Morra Gambit: youtu.be/OTcd3onnOWA
Taimanov Variation: youtu.be/4QYD_MEUmt4

The Rossolimo Attack starts after the moves:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5

Black has four different ways to respond to the “pin” on the c6 knight.

3… g6
3… e6
3… d6
3… Nf6

I have gone through all four moves in detail in the video. G6 is by far the most popular response, and you are going to face it more often than any other move, but all four have a lot of venom, and players with white need to be prepared to face them all as they lead to completely different positions.