Kramnik Variation of the Sicilian Defense ⎸Chess Openings

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The Kramnik Sicilian is a very underrated weapon white has against the e6 Sicilians. As opposed to the Kan, Paulsen or the Taimanov, this setup deprives black of possibilities and makes white’s game much simpler.
If you lack knowledge in the basics of the Sicilian Defense you can watch this introductory video first: • Sicilian Defense (intr...
The Kramnik Variations starts after the moves:
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 e6
3. c4 - this move signifies the opening. White is creating a Maróczy Bind with pawns on c4 and e4, which prevents black from forcing the move d5 through comfortably. The resulting positions often provide white with more space in the center and on the queenside, and as a downside, white will generally have a much worse light squared bishop.
Black continues the position with Nc6, a move designed to reduce the power of 4. d4, if white should choose to play it.
White can continue with either Nc3, a more solid option, often leading to closed, maneuvering positions, or with d4, opening up the center of the board and going for aggressive play.
The opening was developed by the great Vladimir Kramnik and he employed it successfully against world’s best in the 90-es. You should start by studying his games, and then go on to study games of top grandmasters in the variation.
As always, I’d advise you to study the games over the board without an engine and without moving the pieces while calculating. That way you can improve your calculation, as well as develop some ideas of your own on how to approach the middlegame positions.

[@malusmundus-9605]

This opening is slept on, it's very good

[@s1o2k3a4]

Thank you for yr effort and good luck for yr project (road to GM).

[@HangingPawns]

Thanks a lot mate! I appreciate the support:)

[@Spectatorica]

thanks, Hanging Pawns. I've never heard of the Kramnik variation before :)

[@HangingPawns]

No problem my favorite viewer:) Few people seem to be using it regularly. Don't know why though, it's a perfectly sound system against 2...e6.

[@Spectatorica]

Thanks again, my favorite chess player and videomaker

[@jagatjyotidutta5974]

@@HangingPawns hi sir can you make a video on Sicilian defence canal attack... I use it regularly but I want some unwanted and tricky novelties in that video as well... Hope for it soon... Thanks

[@Pacalolo04]

Used by Carlsen (just a few month after you uploaded this video) in the last round of the WCHM tie-breaks against Caruana. Though Caruana didn't play the main line you're giving with 5... Nf6; instead he played 5... Bc5, prompting Carlsen into a long thought, after which he played 6. Nc2, instead of the natural 6. Nb3. I think he got confused, or probably feared some prep by Caruana. The Norwegian went on to win that game anyway, thus retaining the title. Kudos to you, Sir! Very well explained. Perhaps Magnus was watching you those days.

[@walterbrownstone8017]

Looks like a great opening.

[@maoufa]

I enjoy learning chess from Elon Musk. How do you get time to do electric cars, space rockets and chess?

[@zoe7696]

im surprised that you didnt mention e4 c5 Nf3 e6 c4 Nc6 Nc3 Nd4

[@modarserriah5671]

Thank you for your effort

[@RFGDahlgren]

Hello, and thank you for your excellent chess videos. I have one observation about your analysis at the moment of minute 4:50 to 5:00. Black can certainly move the pawn to e5, but it looks like d5 is another strong option for Black. This was played by Leko, Anand and Adams (to just mention a few). It can lead to a liquidation of the center which you might want to avoid, but it seems that Black (with ...d5) can avoid the passive position you describe later. Leko even went on to win against Topalov, according to my database. Interesting?

[@andrewucla]

Hi. I love this - I've never seen it until today, but now I want to incorporate it. I've been playing the Westerinen Attack (3. b3) but it's so-so. Question: this position for white reminds me a lot of the Prins variation against 2. ... d6 (except there's still a d pawn). Is it fair to say I should think about Kramnik and Prins similarly as I start playing this? Thanks!

[@boromir674]

Nice one Stejpan, as always. Kramnik variation eh. Haven't played it ever, yet. Looks like Kramnik used to enjoy (and perhaps still enjoys? don't know Vlads repertoire when phasing the Sicilian nowadays) having achieved c4 and e4 as early as possible ;-)

[@Impulse154]

After d4 cxd4 nxd4 it is a transposition to a taimanov sicilian with early c4

[@mjsoupcampbell]

If the goal is to avoid the mainlines of the e6 Sicilians, what should white aim for after 3...a6? It seems like white will eventually have to push d4 reaching a standard Maroczy Bind Kan. For example, 3...a6 4.Nc3 Qc7 5.Be2 Nc6 6. d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nf6 8.O-O Bb4. Still a good position for white in my view but Kan players are probably comfortable in those types of positions.

[@yosefcohen483]

This may amuse you, I watch this video, because I play 1.c4, and people like to play 1...e6 ("Agincourt"), and I want to play 2.e5 - entering the orthoschnapp gambit, but they got smart, and now don't play 2...d5, but 2...c5 - which is annoying, and the best thing I found, is 3.Nf3 - entering the Kramnik var. So I wanted to see if it's good.

[@smashu2]

in the passive system black can play Nd4!! instead of e5 or Nf6 complicating the position.

[@Bahomar]

very interesting, someone just plays this variation against me in a daily game... is it cheating if i educate myself? thanks for your great content

[@manassehmusonga9259]

What if black plays d5 on move 3

[@loaygaming2023]

Then it's a improved scandinavian for white

[@vaccaphd]

It weakens the dark squares too much. Looking for a Maroczy bind.

[@MrJohnnycampini]

I dont understand why taking with the bishop insted of the King on the queen exchange is not better.

[@damianmccarthy2715]

I think 3...,d5 looks playable for black. Something like 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. cxd5 Nf6 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Qe2+ Qe7 8. Qxe7+ Bxe7 9. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10. Nc3 Nb6 probably equal although white will have an isolated pawn?

[@fezansarwar9627]

Can you make a video on the French defense?

[@Spectatorica]

he already made it, the whole series on the French defense is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pprKZmhvpLVoha8

[@HangingPawns]

Vesna is correct. There is a whole series on the channel already:)