Bb5 Sicilian

badivan1

Only Chess

22 Jul 07

badivan1

Joined: 18 Apr 06
Moves: 31699

22 Jul 07

Hey, guys! I was wondering what is the strategical difference between the Rossolimo and the Moscow Variations, which are 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 and 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ respectively?

yofidawg

Joined: 05 Jun 07
Moves: 13774

22 Jul 07

The Moscow is better 😛 because it actually involves a pin. Both are pretty closed I believe, not a huge difference, I play 2. Bb5 on occasion with decent results, but it's no amazement.

wittywonka

Chocolate Expert

Cocoa Mountains

Joined: 26 Nov 06
Moves: 19249

22 Jul 07

Originally posted by badivan1
Hey, guys! I was wondering what is the strategical difference between the Rossolimo and the Moscow Variations, which are 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 and 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ respectively?

Well, I don't play 1. e4 as white, so I couldn't tell you from white's perspective, but it really annoys me to have someone come along and play 3. Bb5+ after I get mentally prepared for an open Sicilian. Out of curiousity to anyone who plays it fairly often, is it better to block with the bishop or the knight?

yofidawg

Joined: 05 Jun 07
Moves: 13774

22 Jul 07

I believe the bishop is more common, with the queen recapture, it seems to give black the best game as he can still play Nc6 and maintain play in the center.

najdorfslayer

The Ever Living

Third Earth

Joined: 17 Feb 07
Moves: 35053

22 Jul 07

1 edit

Originally posted by yofidawg
The Moscow is better 😛 because it actually involves a pin. Both are pretty closed I believe, not a huge difference, I play 2. Bb5 on occasion with decent results, but it's no amazement.

You have them wrong way round mate.........Moscow is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ and Rossilimo is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5

I belive the Rossilimo is better for White than the Moscow

Helder Octavio Borges

Luso-brasileiro

Cajamar, SP

Joined: 28 Dec 04
Moves: 71994

22 Jul 07

Rossolimo Variation.

Thread 46061.