Moscow Variation | Sicilian Defense Theory

The Moscow Variation (also known as the Canal-Sokolsky Attack) is one of the most popular “Anti-Sicilians), and a great way to avoid tons of main line theory.
For an introduction to the Sicilian Defense watch this video: • Sicilian Defense (intr...
The variation avoids all the most common Sicilians for black - you don’t allow black to enter the Dragon, the Najdorf, or whatever his pet opening is. The Moscow is straightforward and gives white the control in the opening.
By checking the king early on, firstly you are developing a piece with tempo, and, secondly, you are forcing black to make a decision. Depending on that decision, the game can branch out in three different ways. Black could choose from three different moves (there are timings next to them so you can skip to the one you’re interested in):
3...Bd7 19:27
3...Nd7 11:28
3...Nc6 02:08
They lead to different positions, but they all seem to give white a pleasant enough attacking setup to enter the middlegame with.
Here are some notable games to study. I would suggest you look at each one over the board to get a better feel for the Moscow Sicilian.
Vassily Ivanchuk vs Garry Kasparov (Linares 1991)
Alexey Sokolsky vs Alexander Kotov (USSR Championship 1949)
Ruslan Ponomariov vs Veselin Topalov (rapid, 1991 Fide world championship playoff)
Sergei Vladimirovich Rublevsky vs Pentala Harikrishna (Aerosvit 2006)
#chess #siciliandefense

[@michaelvanzyl9418]

I’ve never heard of Moscow variation before. Nice line for those who want to have a less challenging variation.

[@HangingPawns]

Yeah. It avoids many theory-heavy variations and it's more than playable.

[@chessematics]

It is called the canal attack

[@michaelvanzyl9418]

@@chessematics yes, that’s what I know it as

[@rafewarren1034]

@@chessematics but the old and more common name is the Moscow variation

[@MochaDoesArt]

@@HangingPawns What to play if e6

[@naveediqbal9450]

Absolutely 7 Star Lecture in this video. I watch from start till the end & i don't know when 29 minutes passed, Bravo Sir, Hats off to You !

[@hritwikranjan2198]

I've been looking for this everywhere !!!!!! Thank you so much !!

[@HangingPawns]

No problem:)

[@gavinjones861]

Just wanted to say cheers for all of your videos and efforts :) Very clear and informative commentary.

[@user-lt9oc8vf9y]

Bd7 @ 19:26

[@pat-9443]

♟ 2:05 3..Nc6 ---> 4. 2:50 Bxc6 11:32 ..Nd7 19:30 ..Bd7 🏁

[@sebavla1236]

At 20.00 minutes, with Qg4 for black, i remember Walter Browne vs Miguel Quinteros game. Thanxs, greetings form Argentina.

[@mikestubbs1708]

Good preparation - well thought out & presented! Cheers!

[@cecilgwezere2540]

I too also mistaked it for the Rossolimo. Thanks a lot Hanging Pawns!

[@thiagopotter2609]

Hey! It was an amazing video! I did really want to know a variation against the Sicilian

[@viktormoskov1167]

a delayed Wing Gambit is also a decent idea, highly recommend it if you want to put Black out of theory and confuse him/her

[@mladenpopovic4941]

Konacno jedva cekam da isprobam otvorenu sicilianku

[@HangingPawns]

Javi kako ce ic!

[@farrokhghorbani2379]

Thanks I hope you can give us a video on dutch defence

[@HangingPawns]

I will make a video on the Dutch. I will make it in the d4 opening cycle. It should be out in a few months

[@paulroberts3389]

Hey, thanks for making all these good videos! Love them

[@philo6779]

I like this series Sicilian Defense Theory!!!

[@andrewucla]

Can you do a video on the Westerinen attack? 3. b3 against the Paulsen. Thanks! Love your videos!

[@alices.7968]

Hello, I really like your videos. Are you going to do a video on the Alekhine defense?

[@HangingPawns]

Yes I am. It should be out in about a month.

[@alices.7968]

@@HangingPawns ok that is really cool, I'm excited already

[@ferkixx2314]

*Just a curious fact: The Canal attack was named after first peruvian grandmaster Esteban Canal*

[@chessematics]

I thought that the bishop that lands with check creates the light square canal or a canal-like structure

[@viktormoskov1167]

@@chessematics Hahahahaha, I like that reason better

[@chessematics]

@@viktormoskov1167 lol that was a super childish concept. Canal

[@askashutosh8667]

Thankyou for sharing .

[@gokselkabaroglu2946]

Thanks 👍

[@walterbrownstone8017]

Looks like it's made for people who want to turn the Sicilian into the Ruy Lopez. Very nice.

[@lucasgasparinsaurraldealca4431]

great video

[@gos46924]

Hey! Love your content. Question: In your video (timestamp 22:40), you say that 5...Nf6 develops the same way as 5...Nc6 would have, that they basically transpose, and in your on-screen example, you show 7...Nc6 (timestamp 22:44). That doesn't seem right to me. Could you explain your thinking on that? For example, suppose 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 Nf6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nxe4 Perhaps you mean it would transpose this way instead? 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4

[@andrewstone2227]

I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the 3.Nd7 Ba4 line that’s become popular since this video with the idea to follow up with c4 for White. Thanks for the awesome video! :)

[@Saturn-lk8qc]

What do you think about 5... e5 after White plays c4 in the Bd7 line? I've been trying to learn the Sicilian (helped in large part by your videos by the way), and it's frustrating that White seems able to force a position with the Maroczy Bind when so much of the theory in the Sicilian defense is about avoiding it.

[@mahantbhaipatel261]

Why there is mention of B51 before Moscow variation ? Where it came from ?

[@Mariusz-B]

Oo ja gram ten wariant. Polecam

[@HangingPawns]

dzięki za polecenie:)

[@tanjastefanovic5206]

What if they block with Qd7?You didnt cover that😅

[@abelmundakakulath9555]

7:39

[@thomasbowden7474]

13:08

[@exgamer2708]

I will just play O'Kelly variation and avoid all this.

[@renaissancerachnavali3287]

Yes it's a great option

[@KnightToRemember]

It has other drawbacks, namely 3. c3 and 3. c4

[@Elonpocalyps420]

Getting quickly to 1900 rapid on lichess in 6 games of this my score is 5/6

[@barryphillips5201]

Isnt this the Rossolimo variation?

[@HangingPawns]

No. The rossolimo is after Black has played Nc6. You can see the variation here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5XHfGSfdruDbZI

[@smashu2]

if you play 3..d6 in the rossolimo it transpose to 3...Nc6 variation of the Moscow it is called the hybrid variation it is the first variation he show to block the check.

[@BREAKocean]

I beat a 1900 player who is 400-500 pts higher than me using this!

[@HangingPawns]

Great job!

[@Sun-gs6hq]

11:32