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This month’s update explores one of the main lines in the Grand Prix setup, including a devilish trap illustrated by Andreikin. Meanwhile, the Hyper Accelerated Dragon suddenly has less venom thanks to White’s 3.c3, a comfortable option for White. Following on from last month’s update, we’ll take a look at an alternative approach for White in the Nimzovitsch variation with 4.g3, and a splendid mating attack from Abdusattorov. Finally, we’ll revisit the tragic events of a summer’s day in France, which heavily skewed the score in White’s favour in the Rossolimo 3...e6 variation.

Download PGN of January ’25 Anti-Sicilian games

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2.Nc3 Sicilian: 3...e6 3.f4 [B23]

Widely played, the Grand Prix setup with 3.f4 is a dangerous weapon for White. We’ll look at two games which occurred after 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.f4 Nc6 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb5 Nge7 6.Ne5!?:

In Andreikin, D - Neiksans, A, White got exactly what he wanted with a quick piece sacrifice after 6...f6 7.Qh5+ g6 8.Nxg6!, and Black was unable to find his way out. Black proceeded more logically with 6...a6 in Turov, M - Bologan, V, which was a calmer game.



Hyper Accelerated Sicilian Dragon: 2...g6 3.c3 d5 4.e5 [B27]

It’s not uncommon for White players to be caught out by 2...g6 - I often forget how to correctly respond. I particularly like this line, after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c3 d5 4.e5 where White can achieve a comfortable edge with relatively low effort (or memory!).

I’ve analysed a couple of games which went White’s way after 4...Bg4 5.Bb5+ Nc6:

where MVL opted for the more promising 6.0-0 in Vachier Lagrave, M - Abdusattorov, N and won convincingly, after a particularly instructive opening.

We’ll also look at 6.h3, and why it’s not quite as strong, in Indjic, A - Vakhidov, J.



Nimzowitsch Variation: 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5 [B29]

Back again after last month’s update! This time, I’ll show another alternative for White after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.g3:

While I still prefer 4.Nc3 (see last month’s update), the young Uzbek talent sure makes the game continuation look appealing, with a swift mating attack against the black king, in Abdusattorov, N - Rakhmanov, A.



Rossolimo Variation: 3...e6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.d3 [B30]

On August 19th 2024, this variation was played three times between two French Grandmasters at their national championships. In this trilogy, Black lost every single game. GM Moussard shows us an easy way to play for White, with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.d3:

In the first two encounters, the games continued 5...Qc7 6.Nc3 e5 7.0-0. Black first attempted 7...d6 in Moussard, J - Maze, S. After a convincing defeat, GM Maze tried 7...Nf6, and suffered his worst loss of the day in Moussard, J - Maze, S.

Unbothered by appearing insane, GM Maze went for the same opening a third time! With true determination, Black was much better in Moussard, J - Maze, S, which continued 5...Ne7 6.Nbd2 f6 7.Nh4:

I would certainly choose this variation as Black, even though tragedy struck once more and he was ultimately knocked out of the competition.



Till next time, Ezra

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