Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack
Main Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
Overview
One of the most popular anti-Sicilians at the elite level. With 3.Bb5, White pins the c6-knight and threatens Bxc6, doubling Black's pawns and steering the game into a positional middlegame on White's terms. Sidesteps the massive theory of Open Sicilians (Najdorf, Dragon, Sveshnikov) and reaches an early middlegame by move 8. Named after Nicolas Rossolimo, a Greek-French-American grandmaster who pioneered the line in the 1940s and 1950s. Now the highest-ROI Anti-Sicilian in 2026 — played at the elite level by Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Vladimir Kramnik, and Wesley So as a regular weapon, not a surprise.
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Open chess.rodeo ↗Related Openings
1. e4 c5
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5
Frequently asked questions
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What is the Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack?
The Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack (ECO code B30) is a chess opening that begins with 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. One of the most popular anti-Sicilians at the elite level. With 3.Bb5, White pins the c6-knight and threatens Bxc6, doubling Black's pawns and steering the game into a positional middlegame on White's terms. Sidesteps the massive theory of Open Sicilians (Najdorf, Dragon, Sveshnikov) and reaches an early middlegame by move 8. Named after Nicolas Rossolimo, a Greek-French-American grandmaster who pioneered the line in the 1940s and 1950s. Now the highest-ROI Anti-Sicilian in 2026 — played at the elite level by Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Vladimir Kramnik, and Wesley So as a regular weapon, not a surprise.
What are the main moves of the Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack?
The main line of the Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack is 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. It is classified under ECO code B30 and falls in the Semi-Open Game family of chess openings. From this starting position, both sides have well-established plans — White typically continues with natural developing moves while Black follows the response patterns described above.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack good for beginners?
The Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack is a reasonable choice for beginners who want exposure to semi-open game positions. The main line (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5) is easy to remember, and the resulting middlegame patterns are well-documented. Focus on understanding the typical pawn structure rather than memorizing 15 moves of theory — engine review of your own games at chess.rodeo is more useful than theory study at the club level.
What ECO code is the Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack?
The Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack is classified as ECO code B30. ECO (Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings) is the standard five-letter classification system developed by Chess Informant in the 1970s — A-codes cover flank openings, B-codes 1.e4 replies that aren't 1...e5, C-codes 1.e4 e5 openings, D-codes 1.d4 d5 systems, and E-codes Indian Defenses. You can browse all openings by ECO code in our free opening database.
How do I analyze my Sicilian Defense: Rossolimo Attack games for free?
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