Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation

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.

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.

1. 1.e4 Here comes a strong first move! The pawn marches from e2 to e4, planting itself proudly in the middle. Grabbing the center early gives your other pieces lovely space to come out and play later.
2. 1...c5 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.
3. 2.Nf3 White moves their knight from g1 to f3. This is a good developing move that helps get your pieces into the game.
4. 2...e6 Black slides a pawn from e7 to e6, building a tidy little wall. It opens a path for the dark-squared bishop on f8 to slip out soon. A calm, careful way to get the game going.
5. 3.d4 This move creates central tension, challenging Black’s c5 pawn and opening the position for your pieces.
6. 3...cxd4 Black captures White's pawn on d4 with the pawn from c5. This opens the center and challenges White's control, but also surrenders the central pawn tension.
7. 4.Nxd4 The knight moves from f3 to d4 and takes a pawn! This is a great move because it puts your knight right in the middle of the board.
8. 4...Nc6 The black knight jumps to c6, centralizing itself and increasing its influence over key squares. This move activates the knight, preparing it for future tactical or defensive roles.
9. 5.Nc3 White moves their knight from b1 to c3. This is a good developing move that helps bring a piece into the game.
10. 5...Qc7 Black moves their queen from d8 to c7. This is a good developing move, getting a strong piece into the game and ready for action!
11. 6.Be3 White moves their bishop from c1 to e3. This is a great developing move, bringing a strong piece into the game and looking toward the middle of the board.
12. 6...a6 Black moves their pawn from a7 to a6. This handy little move stops White's knight or bishop from landing on the b5 square.

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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.

Most played continuations (1400-1600 rating)

After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6:

• Be2 — played 23.6% of the time (White wins 44.1%, draws 3%, Black wins 52.9%)
• Qd2 — played 23.1% of the time (White wins 49.7%, draws 2.7%, Black wins 47.6%)
• Bd3 — played 15.8% of the time (White wins 44.4%, draws 2.4%, Black wins 53.2%)

Related openings

• Sicilian Defense
• Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
• Sicilian Defense: Closed Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack
• Sicilian Defense: French Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations
• Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation
• Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian
• Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation

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.