Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation

The Lasker-Pelikan Variation of the Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5) is better known today as the Sveshnikov Variation. The move 5...e5 kicks White's knight from d4 but leaves Black with a backward d-pawn and a weakness on d5.

Origins

Before the 1970s the line was only played occasionally. Emanuel Lasker played it once in his world championship match against Carl Schlechter, and Jorge Pelikan played it a few times in the 1950s. Evgeny Sveshnikov and Gennadi Timoshchenko pioneered it in the 1970s, and Sveshnikov's treatment was the key to its revival. Today it is very popular with grandmasters and amateurs alike; Magnus Carlsen, Vladimir Kramnik and Veselin Topalov are among the top players who have used it.

The idea

In return for the weak d5-square Black gets dynamic potential, a central foothold, and time gained on White's knight, which often ends up driven to the edge of the board.

Main lines

• 6.Ndb5, the theoretically critical move, threatening Nd6+. 6...d6 stops it, and after 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 we reach the Sveshnikov Variation. 8...b5 was Sveshnikov's innovation, controlling c4 and threatening ...b4. Before it, Black played 8...Be6, the Bird Variation, which let the a3-knight return to play with 9.Nc4. After 8...b5:
  • 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd5. White's strong knight on d5 and Black's broken kingside are balanced by Black's bishop pair and White's offside knight on a3. Black can play 10...f5, aiming for good central control, or 10...Bg7 followed by ...Ne7 to trade off the d5-knight, the Novosibirsk Variation. 9...Qxf6 is dubious because of 10.Nd5 Qd8 11.c4.
  • 9.Nd5 (Chelyabinsk Variation in this database; the name is also used for the whole line up to 8...b5) leads to quieter play. It often continues 9...Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c3, when White keeps a knight on d5 and plans to bring the a3-knight back via c2 and e3.
• 7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 is a less common alternative to 7.Bg5; White then plays on the queenside, Black on the kingside.
• Every sixth move except 6.Ndb5 is considered to give Black easy equality. 6.Nb3 (Schlechter Variation) and 6.Nf3 (Retreat Variation) can be met by 6...Bb4, threatening the e4-pawn, and 6.Nxc6 (Exchange Variation) is usually met by 6...bxc6.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• Dynamic play and time gained on White's knights.
• It has been established as a first-rate defence.

Weaknesses

• A backward d-pawn and a permanent hole on d5.
• Some lines still give Black trouble, and in the 9.Nd5 lines with c4 White can often press for a win at no risk.

Who should play it

The Lasker-Pelikan suits Black players who want an active, concrete Sicilian and accept long-term structural weaknesses in return for piece play.

The numbers

On Lichess the results are close up to 2200: 48.6% for White against 47.5% under 1400, 48.0% against 47.7% at 1400–1799, and Black slightly ahead at 1800–2199 with 47.5% against 46.9%. From 2200 up White leads, 48.3% against 44.0%. In about 28,000 master games White won 24.5%, Black 17.6%, and 57.9% were drawn.