Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B47), reached after 10 half-moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7.

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6.Be3 1 line
- B48 English Attack
6.Ndb5 1 line
- B47 Ponomariov Gambit

About this opening

Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B47. ECO group B (B00–B99) covers semi-open games (1.e4 with Black playing anything other than 1…e5), with the Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann and Pirc/Modern at its heart. This particular variation is reached after 10 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7.

It belongs to the Sicilian Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Taimanov Variation → Bastrikov Variation line). The immediate parent line is Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, transitioned via 5…Qc7.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 e6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nc6, 5.Nc3 Qc7. From this position 2 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.