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On the month of the FIDE Grand Swiss, held in Uzbekistan, I was spoilt for choice for top level Anti-Sicilians.
The most intense game was fought on board 1, where both Firouzja and Nihal were likely contenders for a place in the candidates - though neither got there in the end.
We’ll explore a couple of games in the Alapin, in a line that is a lot sharper than it first it appears.
Then, our usual Rossolimos will be analysed: both 3..e6 and 3..g6. The general level of preparation
at the FIDE Grand Swiss was extremely impressive, so these games are of high theoretical relevance!

Download PGN of September ’25 Anti-Sicilian games

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Alapin 2.c3: 2..Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bc4 [B22]

This tournament saw a couple of interesting games in this line, including a very tense game on board 1, battling it out for a spot in the candidates. Stakes were high in Nihal, S - Firouzja, A, where Black continued 5..Nb6 6.Bb3 d5 7.exd6 c4:

7.Bc2 Qxd6 8.0-0 g6. The seemingly quiet position quickly turned to chaos after Nihal sacrificed a piece for long-term play, though Firouzja held on and eventually came out on top.

The same variation appeared on a lower board in the very first round between Suleymanli, A - Karthikeyan, M where Black opted for 8..Bg4 instead. White played astonishingly well in this game, which turned out to be a true masterclass!



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

For the first of our 2..e6 Rossolimos, we’ll see a familiar face in a familiar line: 5.b3 f6 6.0-0 Nh6 7.d4:

Ring any bells? Indeed, we saw two games between Aronian and Caruana in this line in a recent update. This time, he’s at it again in Aronian, L - Oparin, G. Black did not follow Caruana footsteps and opted for 7..cxd4?!, which White duly punished.

In a much less convincing display, White attempted 5.e5 in Hammer, J - Sadhwani, R. Black immediately equalises after 5..f6 6.Nf3 fxe5:

though White did get the upper hand from the opening after some impressive positional play, before ultimately stumbling and losing.


Rossolimo 3..e6: 4.0-0 Nge7 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Qb6 [B30]

This line has been quite fashionable lately, though these two games point to the fact that Black might have it all figured out by now.

Both our games continued 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Be2 Ng6 9.c4 Be7 10.Nc3 0-0 11.Rb1:

when Matlakov, M - Gelfand, B continued 11..c5 12.Be3 Qc7 13.f4, whereas Volokitin, A - Aditya, M went 11..Qc7 12.Be3 Rd8 13.Qd2 a5N.

White didn’t achieve much in either games and, frankly, these make me want to play this line with Black! I don’t think this is how White achieves an edge these days.


Rossolimo 3..g6: 4.0-0 Bg7 and 5..e5 [B31]

Another structure we’ve looked into recently. After the quiet 5.d3 e5, White attempted 6.a3 Nge7 7.b4:

in Ivic, V - Madaminov, M. I really liked White’s approach, bizarrely swapping both bishops off after 7..d6 8.bxc5 dxc5 9.Bg5 Bd7 10.Bxc6 Bxc6 11.Bxe7. White proceeded to place a knight on d5 with a comfortable position.

In a similar but different line, Vachier Lagrave, M - Praggnanandhaa, R battled it out over 5.Re1 e5 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.d3 Qe7 8.a3 Nf6 9.b4:

Black was well prepared and White simply had nothing to fight with. An easy draw, and another line to avoid for White.



Till next time, Ezra

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