Nimzowitsch Variation | Sicilian Defense Theory

The Nimzowitsch Sicilian is an uncommon variation which might surprise many of your opponents!

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

The Alapin Sicilian: youtu.be/VGP0qWscORM

The Nimzowitsch Variation is a combination of many different openings (and it can transpose into many different openings too). You could easily end up in the Alapin Sicilian, and in several lines which could occur in the Closed Sicilian. It also resembles the Alekhine Defense because of the provocative Nf6, inviting e6, chasing the knight away.

It was named after Aron Nimzowitsch, one of the greatest chess players and theoreticians in history (which means the opening is sound!), and it has been played ever since the beginning of the 20th century. Strong grandmasters continue to play it today, but it’s far less popular than the Najdorf, the Dragon or other common variations.

It could definitely serve as a great surprise weapon against unprepared opponents, used to seeing d6 and Nc6 in every game.

The opening starts after:

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 Nf6

Black plays a move which is begging white to advance in the center and push the knight back. There are two approaches white could take. One is the Advance variation of the Nimzowitsch Sicilian – the most logical move; e5, simply chasing the knight away to d5.
The other way to go is 3. Nc3, the Closed Variation. Generally, e5 leads to much more complicated games which involve loads of tactical opportunities, and Nc3 will most often lead to positional play.

#chess #siciliandefense #nimzowitsch