Answers.Body: <p>Please note that the ...e5 push Black does on your line is not forced and there are plenty of other variations Black can opt for (like 4...e6, or 4...g6, or 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 d6, or even 4...e5)</p>
  
  <p>Each of this alternatives requires White to be prepared as Black will probably know a lot of theory about those (and have a good understanding of the resulting middlegame positions, for instance, no d5 weak square in many of those) With the Rossolimo, White can opt for a quieter game where knowledge of precise lines is less relevant</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-06-11T15:13:10.123Z
Answers.Text: If Black plays 4...e6 then it will transpose to a Taimanov. So, Black can trick you from the beginning to play Taimanov with 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6. If Black plays 4...g6, then Black transposes to Accelerated Dragon. If Black plays 4...Nf6 5. Nc3 d6, then it will transpose to Classical sicilian. If Black plays an early 4...e5, then it transposes to Kalashnikov which has similar ideas to the line that I mentioned above (Pelikan).
Answers.UserDisplayName: Guess601
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Answers.CreationDate: 2020-06-11T15:13:14.133Z
Answers.Text: I don't think that the reason you provided is enough because Black can force you to go into any of these lines and avoid the Rossolimo. So, the Rossolimo doesn't save you from learning the other variations that I mentioned except Kalashnikov.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Guess601
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-06-11T15:19:59.563Z
Answers.Text: So the choice is between Pelikan/Kalashnikov and Rossolimo.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Guess601
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-06-12T07:37:28.883Z
Answers.Text: But if you choose a Rossolimo against 2...Nc6, your opponent cannot force you into a Taimanov by playing 2...e6, you can just play 3.c3 or any other line secondary line there. The fact that 3.d4 will make you learn a lot of mainline theory while a different repertoire may not still holds true
Answers.UserDisplayName: David
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Answers.CreationDate: 2022-06-27T10:38:35.660Z
Answers.Text: @Guess601 You dont have to play into the Taimanov, there are other options like g3. 4.g6 is the normal Accelerated dragon, the hyper accelerated (2.g6 can be avoided by Qxd4),
Answers.UserDisplayName: QEDemonstrandum
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Answers.CreationDate: 2020-06-11T09:11:31.320Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-06-11T09:11:31.320Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: David
Answers.Body: <p>The Rossolimo scores really, really well. According to the chess 365 database, white scores 56.8% with the Rossolimo and only 51% with the open. Also, stockfish gives a very slight edge to the Rossolimo.</p>
  <p>Normally, I would say play the lines you like but I would never want to go into heavily theoretical lines against people better than me in their pet lines. The Rossolimo gives you an alternative that is probably as good but with less theory.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2022-05-23T04:36:28.520Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2022-05-23T04:48:15.323Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2022-05-23T04:48:15.323Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Savage47
Answers.Body: <p>Obviously the Rossolimo is a less ambitious option than the Open Sicilian. It is, however, easier to learn for white, less risky and less sharp and so likely to be less the cup of tea of ardent Sicilian players. Those are probably the main reasons for its popularity.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-07-07T10:09:22.983Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-07-07T10:09:22.983Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: acye
Body: <p>Many chess players nowadays recommend the Rossolimo against c5-Nc6 Sicilian:</p>
  
  <pre><code>[fen ""]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
  </code></pre>
  
  <p></p>
  
  <p>However, I find the open sicilian to be easier to play:</p>
  
  <pre><code>[fen ""]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c4 b4 12. Nc2 a5 13. g3 O-O 14. Bg2
  </code></pre>
  
  <p></p>
  
  <p>One of the reasons of my preference is that I have control over the d5 square and black has a backward pawn on d6. Moreover, I can play moves like Qd3,a3, and play on the queenside with my rooks too.</p>
  
  <p>My issue with the Rossolimo is that it gives up the bishop pair for no obvious outpost for the knight like the second position in the open sicilian that I shared above.</p>
  
  <p>I would really appreciate it if you can tell me why the Rossolimo might offer better winning chances with White, and why top players are attracted to it, and why Black players try to avoid it in their repertoire. Also, if you can refer me to good thematic games with Rossolimo.</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-06-11T12:01:17.943Z
Comments.Text: The Sveshnikov variation is very exhaustively analyzed, and all the top players know these main lines by heart up to move ~30 so that they can get a simple draw as black simply by repeating well-established theory.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Scounged
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-06-11T15:15:45.717Z
Comments.Text: The line that I provided up is the Pelikan line (not Sveshnikov), and Magnus plays it with Black a lot.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Guess601
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-06-11T16:44:44.103Z
Comments.Text: The Sveshnikov variation was known as the Lasker-Pelikan variation before, but that changed in the 70s' (see the wiki article on the sicilian defence for more info). I'm aware that Magnus has played it with great success lately, although that only seems to suggest that it's difficult for white to gain anything against a well-prepared black player in the line.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Scounged
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-06-11T17:06:41.943Z
Comments.Text: @Scounged If the Pelikan variation is the Sveshnikov, then by your previous statements you're claiming that the Sveshnikov is more analyzed by Rossolimo? really? and why? I didn't know that. Can you refer me to thematic games or players who play the Rossolimo well? Or a book or anything please?! thanks
Comments.UserDisplayName: Guess601
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2020-06-11T21:26:16.023Z
Comments.Text: Rossolimo generally leads to more positional play and as a consequence requires less preparation, which is I suspect the reason it is being recommended. But if you are happy open Sicilian, then play it!
Comments.UserDisplayName: Akavall
Tags: <opening><strategy><theory><sicilian-defense><bishop-pair>
Title: Rossolimo 3.Bb5 vs open Sicilian against c5-Nc6 sicilian
ThreadText: # Rossolimo 3.Bb5 vs open Sicilian against c5-Nc6 sicilian
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2020-06-11)
  
  Many chess players nowadays recommend the Rossolimo against c5-Nc6 Sicilian:
  
  ```
  [fen ""]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
  
  ```
  
  However, I find the open sicilian to be easier to play:
  
  ```
  [fen ""]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c4 b4 12. Nc2 a5 13. g3 O-O 14. Bg2
  
  ```
  
  One of the reasons of my preference is that I have control over the d5 square and black has a backward pawn on d6. Moreover, I can play moves like Qd3,a3, and play on the queenside with my rooks too.
  
  My issue with the Rossolimo is that it gives up the bishop pair for no obvious outpost for the knight like the second position in the open sicilian that I shared above.
  
  I would really appreciate it if you can tell me why the Rossolimo might offer better winning chances with White, and why top players are attracted to it, and why Black players try to avoid it in their repertoire. Also, if you can refer me to good thematic games with Rossolimo.
  
  **Tags:** opening, strategy, theory, sicilian-defense, bishop-pair
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: The Sveshnikov variation is very exhaustively analyzed, and all the top players know these main lines by heart up to move ~30 so that they can get a simple draw as black simply by repeating well-established theory.  
  > **username_0**: The line that I provided up is the Pelikan line (not Sveshnikov), and Magnus plays it with Black a lot.  
  > **username_1**: The Sveshnikov variation was known as the Lasker-Pelikan variation before, but that changed in the 70s' (see the wiki article on the sicilian defence for more info). I'm aware that Magnus has played it with great success lately, although that only seems to suggest that it's difficult for white to gain anything against a well-prepared black player in the line.  
  > **username_0**: @username_1 If the Pelikan variation is the Sveshnikov, then by your previous statements you're claiming that the Sveshnikov is more analyzed by Rossolimo? really? and why? I didn't know that. Can you refer me to thematic games or players who play the Rossolimo well? Or a book or anything please?! thanks  
  > **username_2**: Rossolimo generally leads to more positional play and as a consequence requires less preparation, which is I suspect the reason it is being recommended. But if you are happy open Sicilian, then play it!  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2020-06-11. Score: 7
  
  Please note that the ...e5 push Black does on your line is not forced and there are plenty of other variations Black can opt for (like 4...e6, or 4...g6, or 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 d6, or even 4...e5)
  
  Each of this alternatives requires White to be prepared as Black will probably know a lot of theory about those (and have a good understanding of the resulting middlegame positions, for instance, no d5 weak square in many of those) With the Rossolimo, White can opt for a quieter game where knowledge of precise lines is less relevant
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: If Black plays 4...e6 then it will transpose to a Taimanov. So, Black can trick you from the beginning to play Taimanov with 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6. If Black plays 4...g6, then Black transposes to Accelerated Dragon. If Black plays 4...Nf6 5. Nc3 d6, then it will transpose to Classical sicilian. If Black plays an early 4...e5, then it transposes to Kalashnikov which has similar ideas to the line that I mentioned above (Pelikan).  
  > **username_0**: I don't think that the reason you provided is enough because Black can force you to go into any of these lines and avoid the Rossolimo. So, the Rossolimo doesn't save you from learning the other variations that I mentioned except Kalashnikov.  
  > **username_0**: So the choice is between Pelikan/Kalashnikov and Rossolimo.  
  > **username_3**: But if you choose a Rossolimo against 2...Nc6, your opponent cannot force you into a Taimanov by playing 2...e6, you can just play 3.c3 or any other line secondary line there. The fact that 3.d4 will make you learn a lot of mainline theory while a different repertoire may not still holds true  
  > **username_4**: @username_0 You dont have to play into the Taimanov, there are other options like g3. 4.g6 is the normal Accelerated dragon, the hyper accelerated (2.g6 can be avoided by Qxd4),  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2022-05-23. Score: 2
  
  The Rossolimo scores really, really well. According to the chess 365 database, white scores 56.8% with the Rossolimo and only 51% with the open. Also, stockfish gives a very slight edge to the Rossolimo.
  
  Normally, I would say play the lines you like but I would never want to go into heavily theoretical lines against people better than me in their pet lines. The Rossolimo gives you an alternative that is probably as good but with less theory.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2020-07-07. Score: 1
  
  Obviously the Rossolimo is a less ambitious option than the Open Sicilian. It is, however, easier to learn for white, less risky and less sharp and so likely to be less the cup of tea of ardent Sicilian players. Those are probably the main reasons for its popularity.
  
  
  ---
  
  