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Our first game highlights a novelty from Adams in Rossolimo 3..e5 4.0-0 Bd6, which helped him along the way to becoming the 2025 British Champion.
We’ll explore many different lines this month, including Alapins from Carlsen and Abdusattorov involving an early ..b6.
Kasimdzhanov has a new pet line with 2.a4, which is not as silly as it sounds! White got an opening advantage in both games...
Meanwhile, Erdogmus tries to trick Svidler, which backfired in the 2..Nf6 3.e5 line, after some very sharp opening lines went White’s way.
Finally, it’s not an update without a Moscow! Abdusattorov repeats his unprovoked 6.Bxd7 idea in the 3...Bd7 4.c4 Moscow, as seen in the last update. Murzin, on the other hand, was less convincing against the 3..Nd7 4.a4 Moscow, with impressive play from Maghsoodloo.

Download PGN of August ’25 Anti-Sicilian games

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Sicilian Rossolimo 3..e5: 4.0-0 Bd6 [B30]

Michael Adams further confirmed his dominance in English chess by defeating Gawain Jones at the British Championships in July.

The game continued 4...Bd6 5.d3 Nf6 6.Bg5:

6...a6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.a3, a novelty, looking for a calm and strategic game. Though Black was doing quite well, the position was difficult to play and White eventually came out on top in Adams, M - Jones, G.



Alapin 2...Nf6 3.e5: 4..b6 [B22]

An unusual opening occurred in Carlsen, M - Firouzja, A, where after 3..Nd5 4.Nf3, Black went for 4...b6!?:

which led to an interesting game after Carlsen strayed even further into unknown territory with 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4!?


Alapin 2...Nf6 3.e5: 4.Nf3 e6 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 b6 [B22]

A similar but more common line in the Alapin. White continued 7.Nc3 Bb7 8.h4, a novelty:

White had his chances in Abdusattorov, N - Caruana, F, but Black stuck to the known plans and came out on top rather convincingly.



Sicilian 2.a4!? [B20]

New system alert! Kasimdzhanov has a new pet line and it’s doing some damage. This inconspicuous move can land Black in some trouble if they’re not careful. This was clearly displayed in Kasimdzhanov, R - Naroditsky, D, where White was better after 2...Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Nd4 5.Nf3 Nxb5?!:

6.axb5 and White won convincingly after some brilliant tactics.

He was similarly successful in the opening in Kasimdzhanov, R - Sarana, A after 3..Nd4 4.c3 Nxb5 5.axb5 d5 6.e5?! d4?!:

and was winning soon after, but ultimately lost a long battle.



Sicilian 2...Nf6: 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nxd5 exd5 6.d4 [B29]

The Turkish prodigy attempted a dodgy but sharp line against the 8-time(!) Russian Champion. 6...Nc6 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.Qxd5 Qb6 9.Bc4:

And the madness continued in Svidler, P - Erdogmus, Y after 9...Bxf2+ 10.Ke2 0-0 11.Rf1. Ultimately, Svidler knew his stuff. Worth a watch!



Moscow Variation: 3...Bd7 4.c4 [B52]

Reminiscent of last month’s update, White repeated his idea with 4..Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Bxd7+!?:

and continued with his now normal plan of 6..Qxd7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Qxd4, which I would recommend for White.

Having said that, White swapped the queens off a little early in Abdusattorov, N - Duda, J, which ended in a draw.


Moscow Variation: 3...Nd7 4.a4 [B51]

I’m always on the lookout for ideas in the Moscow, as it comes up so often. That includes what not to play! White was impotent in Murzin, V - Maghsoodloo, P, after an inspired opening from Black: 4...Ngf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5:

7.a5 Nb8!? targeting the a5-pawn. White was imprecise here with 8.Bc4?!, and paid the price. An impressive game from Parham.



Till next time, Ezra

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