This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Opening Name: Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bb4
Description: The Taimanov Variation is a flexible and dynamic system within the Sicilian Defense. By playing 5.c4, White aims to establish a strong pawn presence in the center and gain spatial advantage, often resembling Maroczy Bind structures. Black’s move 6...Bb4 develops the bishop actively, pinning the knight on c3 and putting pressure on White’s center and queenside. This move also prepares for rapid development and potential counterplay against White’s center.
Characteristic of 6...Bb4: The bishop move pins White’s knight to the king and exerts pressure on the central d4-knight and the c3-square. It is a thematic Sicilian idea to challenge White’s control of the center and create tactical possibilities.
Strategic Nature: From White’s perspective, the setup is primarily attacking, aiming to control the center and restrict Black’s piece activity with the c4 pawn. Black’s play is more counterattacking, focusing on undermining White’s center and creating counterchances on the queenside and in the center.
Center Control: Yes, this opening intensely revolves around the battle for the center. White’s c4 and d4 pawns form a strong spatial grip, while Black challenges this setup with active piece play and timely pawn breaks.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Sicilian: Taimanov, 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 5 - Move #8 black
You can also discover how top players used Sicilian: Taimanov, 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.