Chekhover Sicilian
Encyclopedia
The Sicilian Chekhover Variation is a chess opening
named after Vitaly Chekhover
, from Chekhover–Lisitsin, Leningrad 1938. It is also sometimes called the Szily or Hungarian Variation. Although the Chekhover Variation is rarely played in grandmaster games, it is actually not uncommon among amateurs. On move four White ignores the standard opening
advice to not move the queen
out early in the game (as it may become a target in the center). The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings
assigns code B53 to this variation.
Chess opening
A chess opening is the group of initial moves of a chess game. Recognized sequences of opening moves are referred to as openings as initiated by White or defenses, as created in reply by Black. There are many dozens of different openings, and hundreds of named variants. The Oxford Companion to...
named after Vitaly Chekhover
Vitaly Chekhover
Vitaly Chekhover was a Soviet chess player and chess composer. He was also a pianist.- Composing career :...
, from Chekhover–Lisitsin, Leningrad 1938. It is also sometimes called the Szily or Hungarian Variation. Although the Chekhover Variation is rarely played in grandmaster games, it is actually not uncommon among amateurs. On move four White ignores the standard opening
Chess opening
A chess opening is the group of initial moves of a chess game. Recognized sequences of opening moves are referred to as openings as initiated by White or defenses, as created in reply by Black. There are many dozens of different openings, and hundreds of named variants. The Oxford Companion to...
advice to not move the queen
Queen (chess)
The queen is the most powerful piece in the game of chess, able to move any number of squares vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Each player starts the game with one queen, placed in the middle of the first rank next to the king. With the chessboard oriented correctly, the white queen starts...
out early in the game (as it may become a target in the center). The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings
Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings
The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings is a classification system for the opening moves in a game of chess. It is presented as a five volume book collection describing chess openings...
assigns code B53 to this variation.
Responses for Black
Black's main response to the Chekhover Variation is the obvious looking 4...Nc6 attacking White's queen, however, there are many more to choose from.- 4...Nc6 - The most popular response
- 5. Bb5 - Pinning the knight: 5...Bd7 6. Bxc6 Bxc6
- 5. Qa4?! - Avoiding an exchange and keeping the light squared bishop
- 4...a6 - Preventing a future pin: 5. c4 Nc6 6. Qd1
- 4...Bd7 - Preparing for 5...Nc6
- 4...Nf6 - Avoiding exchanges and continuing development