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Learn the Sicilian Kalashnikov

The Sveshnikov’s little brother: an early …e5, then …d6. Less theory, lots of surprise.

You play with Black. How you learn it with Don Chess: watch first, then play it with an arrow, then from memory – with spaced repetition until it sticks. Free, no sign-up.

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The main line

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 d6 6.c4 Be7 7.N1c3 a6 8.Na3 f5 9.exf5 Bxf5 10.Bd3 Be6 11.O-O Nf6

B32 · Sicilian Defense: Kalashnikov Variation

The position after the main line

The moves explained

Why is each move played? The explanations come from the opening trainer – there you play the moves yourself afterwards.

  1. 1.e4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e4.
  2. 1…c5 Fights for the centre from the side with the pawn on c5.
  3. 2.Nf3 Develops the knight to f3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  4. 2…Nc6 Develops the knight to c6 – pieces out first, then attack.
  5. 3.d4 Attacks the pawn on c5 – the fight for the centre begins.
  6. 3…cxd4 Takes the pawn on d4.
  7. 4.Nxd4 Takes back on d4 – material is level again.
  8. 4…e5 Occupies the centre with a pawn on e5.
  9. 5.Nb5 The knight was attacked and goes to safety on b5.
  10. 5…d6 Supports the pawn on e5 – the centre stands firm.
  11. 6.c4 Fights for the centre from the side with the pawn on c4.
  12. 6…Be7 Develops the bishop to e7 – pieces out first, then attack.
  13. 7.N1c3 Develops the knight to c3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  14. 7…a6 Prevention: takes important squares away from the opponent's pieces.
  15. 8.Na3 The knight was attacked and goes to safety on a3.
  16. 8…f5 Attacks the pawn on e4 – the fight for the centre begins.
  17. 9.exf5 Takes the pawn on f5.
  18. 9…Bxf5 Takes back on f5 – material is level again.
  19. 10.Bd3 Develops the bishop to d3 – pieces out first, then attack.
  20. 10…Be6 The bishop was attacked and goes to safety on e6.
  21. 11.O-O Castles: the king is safe and the rook joins the game.
  22. 11…Nf6 Develops the knight to f6 – pieces out first, then attack.

Idea and plans

The idea

1…c5 fights for d4 asymmetrically. Black usually trades a wing pawn for White’s d-pawn and gets the half-open c-file and a central pawn majority.

Plan for White

Use the space and lead in development, often attacking on the kingside (f4, g4, or Bc4/Bg5).

Plan for Black

Queenside counterplay via the c-file and …b5, and the freeing …d5 at the right moment.

Tip

The positions are sharp: knowing the typical plans matters more than memorised moves.

The 7 lines in the course

Grey: the moves shared with the main line. Bold: the move where the line leaves it.

Train the Sicilian Kalashnikov now →

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