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Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Variation

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 · B31

Part of Sicilian Defense

Starting positionWhite to move

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Trade a bishop for a structural target

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The idea

White avoids the open Sicilian entirely with Bb5, trading the bishop for the knight and playing a quiet, structure-based game.

Main line: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg7 6.d3 Nf6 7.Nbd2 O-O

What White wants

  • Trade on c6 and play against the doubled c-pawns
  • Choose a suitable centre with d3 or a supported d4
  • Develop quickly and restrain Black's bishop pair

What Black wants

  • Use the bishop pair and the open d-file for activity
  • Fianchetto and play ...Ne5 and ...Bg4 for counterplay
  • Expand on the queenside with ...b5 before the endgame arrives

Key idea

Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.

Trade a bishop for a structural target

After Bxc6 dxc6, Black has doubled pawns on c5 and c6, not c6 and c7. The c6 knight has gone, but Black gains the bishop pair and a half-open d-file. White aims to limit those bishops while making the doubled pawns meaningful targets.

Common mistake

Trading on c6 and then forgetting Black's bishop pair. A closed centre can restrain the bishops, but d4 is also a valid option when properly supported. Choose the structure according to development and tactics, rather than treat every central opening as a mistake.

Representative position

The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.

r1bq1rk1/pp2ppbp/2p2np1/2p5/4P3/3P1N2/PPPN1PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 3 8

Analyze this position

Related openings

Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nc6 4.O-O Bd7 · B51–B52White checks on b5 before committing to d4, forcing Black to block and then retreating the bishop to play a closed, positional game.Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 · B22White avoids all the main-line theory with 2.c3, offering a pawn centre in exchange for the open Sicilian's complexities.Sicilian Defense1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 · B20–B99Black answers 1.e4 with the c-pawn, refusing to mirror and instead trading a wing pawn for a centre pawn — the most ambitious and most popular reply in chess.Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 · C68–C69White gives up the bishop immediately for the knight, saddling Black with doubled c-pawns and a long, uncomfortable endgame.Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 · B90–B99The most analysed opening in chess: 5...a6 takes the b5 square away from White's pieces and prepares ...e5 and ...b5 in one move.Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 · B70–B79Black fianchettoes the bishop onto the long diagonal, where it rakes White's queenside — the most direct and most tactical Sicilian.