Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack

ECO B31intermediate

The Rossolimo, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, is the anti-Sicilian that even world champions respect — Carlsen and Caruana have made it a main weapon. Rather than entering Open Sicilian complexity, White threatens to double Black's c-pawns with Bxc6 and builds a lead in development. The resulting structures (after ...g6, ...e6 or ...d6 setups) are strategically rich: White plays against the doubled pawns or for a central e5 clamp, while Black banks on the bishop pair.

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Main line

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

What a great start. The pawn marches up to e4, a light square right in the middle of the board. Grabbing the center early is a friendly, classic way to begin your game and give your other pieces room to come out later.
Black plays c5, advancing the pawn two squares from its starting square. This is the Sicilian Defense, a standard response that indirectly challenges White's center.
White moves their knight from g1 to f3. This is a good developing move that helps get your pieces into the game.
Black moves their knight out from the side to a new, more active square. This is a good development move.
Your bishop moves to b5, developing it from its starting square. It now controls key central squares, establishing a useful diagonal from the kingside flank.
Black advances the g-pawn to g6, preparing to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop. This responds to the pin on the knight and aims for kingside castling, though it slightly weakens the dark squares.
White moves the king two steps. It tucks the king away in the corner. The rook jumps over to help. This is called castling. It keeps your king safe and happy.
Black moves their bishop from f8 to g7. This is a good developing move that gets a piece into the game.
White moves the rook from f1 to e1. This is a good developing move, getting a strong piece into the game.
Black moves their knight from g8 to f6. This is a good developing move, bringing a piece into the game and closer to the middle of the board.
You move your pawn from e4 to e5. Great move! This pushes your pawn forward and helps you control more of the important middle squares.
Black moves their knight from f6 to d5. This is a good move because it puts the knight in the middle of the board, where it controls important squares.

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Win rates by rating

Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.

Rating	Games	White wins	Draws	Black wins	Position after
400-600	35	57.1%	0%	42.9%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
600-800	97	32%	4.1%	63.9%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7
800-1000	48	50%	4.2%	45.8%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 Nf6
1000-1200	57	52.6%	5.3%	42.1%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1
1200-1400	83	48.2%	0%	51.8%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.e5
1400-1600	70	54.3%	4.3%	41.4%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.e5 Nd5
1600-1800	121	51.2%	1.7%	47.1%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 Nf6
1800-2000	53	54.7%	3.8%	41.5%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.e5 Nd5
2000-2200	191	55%	6.3%	38.7%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.e5 Nd5
2200-2400	284	54.6%	7.4%	38%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.e5 Nd5

Most played continuations (2200-2400 rating)

After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.O-O Bg7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.e5 Nd5:

Nc3 — played 71.5% of the time (White wins 56.6%, draws 7.9%, Black wins 35.5%)
c3 — played 10.2% of the time (White wins 51.7%, draws 3.5%, Black wins 44.8%)
Bxc6 — played 6.3% of the time (White wins 38.9%, draws 0%, Black wins 61.1%)

Related openings

Frequently asked questions

Why do top players prefer the Rossolimo over the Open Sicilian?

It denies Black the dynamic counterplay the Sicilian is famous for. The positions are more controllable, preparation matters less deep into the game, and the structural edge after Bxc6 persists into the endgame — a practical recipe at every level.

How should Black respond to 3.Bb5?

The main choices are 3...g6 (the most popular, accepting doubled pawns after Bxc6 for the bishop pair and the g7 bishop), 3...e6 preparing ...Nge7 to recapture with a piece, and 3...d6 keeping Najdorf-like options. Each leads to distinct middlegame plans worth knowing before you choose.