Rossolimo Attack (Pin Variation) | Sicilian Defense Theory

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The Rossolimo Attack (Also known as Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack or the Pin Variation) is a very useful weapon for white to have against the Sicilian Defense.

It could confuse Sicilian players, get them out of their comfort zone, and make them play positions they aren’t used to.

If you are unfamiliar with the basics of the Sicilian Defense, here is an introductory video I made that covers the main opening principles and common variations:    • Sicilian Defense (introduction, ideas & va...  

For more Sicilian Defense theory try out these variations:

The Accelerated Dragon:    • The Accelerated Dragon ⎸Sicilian Defense T...  
Prins Variation:    • Prins Variation (5.f3) ⎸Sicilian Defense T...  
The Alapin Sicilian:    • The Alapin (c3) ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory  
The Grand Prix Attack:    • Grand Prix Attack ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory  
The Najdorf (part 1):    • The Najdorf (part 1) ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory  
The Najdorf (part 2):    • The Najdorf (part 2) ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory  
Sicilian Kan:    • Sicilian Kan ⎸Chess Openings  
Kramnik Variation:    • Kramnik Variation of the Sicilian Defense ...  
The Smith Morra Gambit:    • Smith-Morra Gambit ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory  
Taimanov Variation:    • Taimanov Variation ⎸Sicilian Defense Theory  

The Rossolimo Attack starts after the moves:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5

Black has four different ways to respond to the “pin” on the c6 knight.

3… g6
3… e6
3… d6
3… Nf6

I have gone through all four moves in detail in the video. G6 is by far the most popular response, and you are going to face it more often than any other move, but all four have a lot of venom, and players with white need to be prepared to face them all as they lead to completely different positions.