Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation
ECO B44-B48intermediate
The Taimanov arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6: Black develops flexibly, keeps the dark-squared bishop's options open (...Bb4, ...Bc5 or ...Be7), and often delays ...d6 entirely. It is the thinking player's Sicilian — less forced than the Najdorf or Dragon, built on piece play, the ...a6/...Qc7 battery, and timely ...d5 or ...b5 breaks. Modern stars like Anand and Giri have kept it at the top level for decades.
Main line
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.Qd2 Nf6
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.
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 | 34 | 52.9% | 11.8% | 35.3% | 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 |
| 600-800 | 97 | 45.4% | 1% | 53.6% | 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 |
| 800-1000 | 71 | 46.5% | 7% | 46.5% | 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 |
| 1000-1200 | 83 | 39.8% | 1.2% | 59% | 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 |
| 1200-1400 | 320 | 45.9% | 3.1% | 50.9% | 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 |
Most played continuations (1200-1400 rating)
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6:
- Be2 — played 24.4% of the time (White wins 43.6%, draws 0%, Black wins 56.4%)
- Qd2 — played 23.1% of the time (White wins 51.4%, draws 2.7%, Black wins 45.9%)
- Bd3 — played 15.3% of the time (White wins 44.9%, draws 2%, Black wins 53.1%)
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
Why choose the Taimanov over the Najdorf?
Less memorization, more schemes. Black's setup (...a6, ...Qc7, ...Nf6, ...Be7 or ...Bb4) works against most White tries, and the resulting middlegames are rich but rarely forcing. It suits players who prefer understanding pawn structures to recalling 25 moves of theory.
What is White's most dangerous plan against the Taimanov?
The English Attack setup with Be3, Qd2 and 0-0-0, often with f3 and g4. Black counters with quick queenside play — ...b5, ...Bb7 and pressure on the c-file — and must be ready for the thematic Nxc6 followed by e5 central strikes.
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