Sveshnikov Variation | Sicilian Defense Theory

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Sicilian Sveshnikov is one of the most popular and most thematic variations of the Sicilian Defense. It has all the main features of the opening - the d5 weakness, the backward d6 pawn and the early initiative for black.
The opening used to be called Lasker-Pelikan variation, after the first two players who helped develop its theory, but now it’s referred to as the Sveshnikov Variation. It was named after Evgeny Sveshnikov, who was the main exponent of the opening in the 70s, and the grandmaster who helped develop the theory of the modern Sveshnikov Sicilian.
For an introduction to the Sicilian Defense, watch this video on the basics: • Sicilian Defense (intr...
Study the Kalashnikov Variation (an accelerated version of the Sveshnikov) here: • Kalashnikov Variation ...
The Sveshnikov Variation is a very aggressive opening choice for black. Black forces the white knight out of the center with the early 5...e5, and concedes to two major weaknesses in the center: he is left with a permanent hole on d5 - the square around which the whole position often revolves, and a backwards d6 pawn, which can often be an easy target for white.
The good news for Sicilian players who choose this variation is that it doesn’t take too much learning to get a feel of the position and to learn the basic patterns, move orders and piece placement. There aren’t too many branches and you should be able to play with ease.
As for the games you should study, definitely analyze Evgeny Sveshnikov’s games. Two other notable mentions are Kramnik and Leko. They both have some marvelous games in the variation.
#chess #SicilianDefense #Sveshnikov

[@peepeepoopoothe3rd]

I just started looking into this variation. Thank you so much for doing everything for your subscribers.

[@HangingPawns]

No problem:)

[@chilliram]

I love the content you are creating. My game has improved since I've been following your content and applying the learnings. You're awesome!

[@marshallfarrier4732]

Great analysis. Thank you. The pace and the depth of analysis were very good for me.

[@beebit_]

I love the way you explain the plans and the key squares of the position

[@love4thegame877]

I think that if you a svensnikov player you must learn the rossolimo to perfection as well. Caruana basically said to carlsen you wanna play the svechni fine, but I will throw in 3 Bb5 to avoid it

[@marks9866]

As Black, hit them with the Rossolimo so bad, that they are begging for a Sveshnikov.

[@love4thegame877]

@@marks9866 what do you mean

[@anotherguy5038]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWfPd3aYbL6bqck

[@daymar3]

Or you can use a cool transposition from the four knights Sicilian and avoid the rossolimo entirely. It’s what I like to do.

[@user-wo5ug7sl9z]

@@daymar3 can you elaborate?

[@wyattgouldthorpe1880]

You should go over the 7. Nd5 variations as well. They lead to a smaller but comfortable advantage for white as opposed to 7. Bg5.

[@andreitiberiovicgazdovici]

The 2018 World Championship Title gave us enough theory to study already on that variation!

[@TheKrazyLobster]

Came here after learning Master Sveshnikov passed away. May he rest in peace and live forever on the board.

[@miklosabafi2233]

Thank you so much for your detailed opening videos! I am learning a lot from them. Greetings from the neighbourhood (Hungary)

[@alexandertudor474]

i totally like your videos man. I just found your channel and i just wanna say you got a very friendly way of explaining. Keep up the good work :)

[@garybennett6138]

Thank you. This is really well explained. A great video.

[@dragondomestifier]

Fantastic videos. Thank you!

[@julianmatzner5762]

Very nice explained, thank u👍♟️

[@mj2225]

Excellent video, good pace (not slow, not fast)

[@babesico5639]

In 27:05 I liked to play after Rb8, the Karpov's move against Sveshnikov Qa1 difendig b2 and preasuring on the a pawn

[@borislavgermanov635]

A variation i use to play quite a lot as a student more than 20 years ago ...

[@jiwanchandrapant4278]

Great video!!

[@kovacshuni]

Thank you!

[@user-so9tb8kp7d]

Hi, the video was Great!!! Thank you for the briliant content, and can you tell me where can I find games with this opening(except chess Base)

[@HangingPawns]

chessgames . com is the best resource

[@ninjaclone09]

What are your thoughts on 7.Nd5 straight away as opposed to Bg5? It leads to Nxd5 exd5 followed by Nb8 by black. According to the lichess engine the position is dead even there at 0 but I don’t see any advantages for black.

[@alannewman6]

Slightly confused when you discussed if white doesn't capture (10.Bxf6). You said that if 10...Nxd5 11.Qxd5 and then you recommended 11...Be6 would gain a a tempo, but the Knight on c6 is hanging. How is there a tempo gained?

[@olicairns8971]

why not 11 nxd6 for white in the bird variation after Qxf6?

[@mauricesmashley1360]

RIP Svensnikov...

[@michaelvanzyl9418]

Sveshnikov called it the cheliablinsk or something like that

[@HangingPawns]

Yeah. Like every other Sicilian, it has 50 different names:)

[@og7364]

Chelyabinsk, it is a Russian city in which sveshnikov and timoshenko were born and in Russian books the sveshnikov Sicilian is called just the chelyabinsk variation, and in English the move 9. Nd5 basically is called the chelyabinsk variation as well P.S I know I am a year late lol

[@Sun-gs6hq]

8:22 Be6 17:14 b5 -18:08 Bxf6 -25:10 Nd5

[@RUFFRIDE]

at 26:35 white can take on d5 bexause after Be6 Qxc6

[@iamthere135]

He didn't mean that you play Be6 immediately. He meant that once you resolve the issue of the hanging knight that at some stage black wins a tempo with Be6 on the queen

[@periodic98]

10:12 why doesn’t white take the pawn? Does black have counter play or something?

[@fireking2343]

yeah, Nd4 puts the queen a little misplaced and then you can castle

[@rodolfopolonio5012]

Show!!

[@mikestubbs1708]

After 5. Nc3 and e5, then 6. Nc6 has been played by White in corres chess games which can be a nuisance! Has Black a good follow -up here, I wonder?!

[@nilufertek3177]

at 11.00 or later why cant black play Bxd5 and then Qxb3?

[@brendanzou8788]

Assuming you meant Qxb6, the knight on b6 can recapture the bishop on d5.

[@bosnbruce5837]

Played these last few days AALOT! Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour Finals...

[@sameerkanth3804]

00:00 Intro and thematic ideas 08:00 Bird Variation of Lasker-Pelikan 17:00 Sveshnikov

[@-dash]

I heard this was the big boi sicillian variation

[@333FireHeart]

why cant white take the black bishop after 28:29 ?

[@iamthere135]

You can capture it, but after black responds Nxd5, the queen is then attacking the took and then after say Rh1 then i think Blacks can capture on f4?

[@blablabla4090]

8:03

[@ThakeshKumarOfficial]

Hmm super ayiki

[@zwebzz9685]

There are many anecdotes of strong players who refuse to play open Sicilians because Sveshnikov can’t be avoided and there is no risk less plan for white.

[@jonbudi]

OK

[@zwebzz9685]

Bg5 before Rb8 is inaccurate because of this a4 option. If you play Rb8 first a4 isn’t possible and you play Bg5 later if possible. This is in the c3 line a 2200 12 year old just crushed me in this and I realized everyone plays Rb8 first.

[@ryaghnaramansanthosh3140]

Hi mate, I see no advantages for black in Najdorf and Sveshnikov. 1. Backward pawn on d6. 2. Weakness on d5. 3. Bad Bishop on e7.

[@HangingPawns]

Well, the weaknesses are obvious, but black does get activity and rapid development. As in every sicilian, white is the one who has to prove an advantage before the endgame, since the center is usually stronger for black because he has more central pawns, only in the Sveshnikov, black is trying to "give back" some of the structural advantages in order to create chances himself. I agree that an endgame knight vs bishop would be winning for white in such structures, but white has to survive the attack black gets due to the misplaced pieces out of the opening. Black's bishop on e7 isn't bad at all, and the hole on d5 could easily be resolved if black plays properly. On the other hand, if white is too slow to remaneuver his knight back into the game, he could be in trouble.

[@smashu2]

I see no advantage for black in any opening dumb ass

[@josehenrique7864]

I see two pawns in the centre for Black against one for White and dynamic position and until today, White never proved any advantage.

[@MindManipulatorX]

What will happen if white takes on d6 after 10....Qxf6

[@HangingPawns]

Hmm.. After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 Be6 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 if white takes on d6 then Bxd6 wins the queen. I'm not sure which position you meant?

[@MindManipulatorX]

What about taking with the knight (on d6)?

[@MindManipulatorX]

10...Nxd6+?

[@jobo6846]

it’s the position after 8 Na3 Be6 9 Nc4 Rc8 10 Bxf6 Qxf6 11 Nxd6 according to the engines it’s an alternative to 11 Nb6

[@jobo6846]

it’s in your video at around 10:00. Black would continue with a combination of Bxd6 Rd8,Nd4 and Qg5 for example Bxd6 12Qxd6 Rd8 13Qc5 Qg5 14 Bd3 Qxg2 15 000 .... equal position

[@goldenwins7804]

what level of player have you prepared this for? Lots of jumping around showing what you should not do, and what poor players might do( not good images to put in the mind of the viewer who is trying to see the main line, and getting confused with images of the board that are not the main line)....a suggest first show the main line...then show the most frequently played variation.

[@sourandbitter3062]

Nice try, I wouldn't do better. But this is incomplete.