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Another month, another Moscow variation. This time we’ll look at a new move (to me!) in the 3...Nd7 line, where White tries 4.c4!?. This move isn’t particularly strong, but is a nice option to have. We’ll also look at the 3...Nc6 Moscow, diving deeper into the subtleties. While White’s play is fairly comfortable in that line, Black does seem to achieve equality - but they need to know their stuff!
Finally, a few greats have made our list this month, including Grischuk, Aronian, and Caruana. The latter two fight it out in dual battle in the 3...e6 Rossolimo, coming up with back-to-back novelties on the same day. Meanwhile, Grischuk keeps things spicy with 6.Nbd2 in a more common setup.

Download PGN of May ’25 Anti-Sicilian games

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Rossolimo 3...e6: 4.Bxc6 bxc6 [B30]

I like this line, as it often leads to interesting positions, and our three games this month are no exception. Grischuk, A - Pingin, A was a creative and lively draw, where both sides tried to dodge main lines: 5.d3 Ne7 6.Nbd2

The main action came in a double dual between two American giants, which featured the same line twice in one day. Both games followed 5.b3 f6 6.O-O Nh6 7.d4 Nf7 8.c4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bb4, a new position until that day!

Aronian, L - Caruana, F continued 10.Be3, and White obtained a slight advantage after some missed opportunities from Black.

In our second Aronian, L - Caruana, F, White tried 10.Bd2 to keep things new - he was heading for a 2-0 lead, but stumbled at the last hurdle.



Hybrid Variation: 3.Bb5+ Nc6 4.O-O Bd7 [B51]

Mendonca, L - Panjwani, R continued 5.Re1 a6 6.Bf1 Bg4, which is the main line. Black went for a setup with ...e6 after 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Qxf3 Nf6 9.c3 e6:

While White won convincingly, I’m personally not convinced by 12.Qe2.

Our second game is a cautionary tale. White quickly ran out of ideas and got crushed on the queenside. Amar, E - Jacobson, B followed 5.Re1 Nf6 6.c3 a6 7.Bf1 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 e6 10.d3 Be7:

11.Bf4!?, which holds some hidden subtleties.


Moscow Variation: 3...Nd7 4.c4!? [B51]

Finally, we explore a move I haven’t seen before: 4.c4. Though this move won’t revolutionise the Moscow Variation, it can give Black a little extra something to think about.

Our first two games in this line went 4...Ngf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.d3 Bg7 7.h3 O-O:

8.Ba4 (avoiding 8...Nb6). Andersen, M - Zilka, S was fairly one-sided as Black struck with 8...a6 and an early ...b5.

Popov, I - Parpiev, I was a little more quiet, as Black opted for the less offensive 8...b6. I would personally recommend the 8...a6 approach.

Black opted for a different setup in Suyarov, M - Madaminov, M, after 5...a6 6.Ba4 e6:

After analysing this game, I think White should play with d4 in these positions, but White chose the more flexible structures with d3, when Black had very good chances in the opening.



Till next time, Ezra

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