Overview
The Killer Sveshnikov course offers you a complete Black repertoire from the starting position of the Sveshnikov after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5, based on the most recent games of World Champion Magnus Carlsen and covering all the latest theoretical developments.
Traditionally, play evolves around the d5 square and White aims to make use of that by installing his knight there as soon as possible.
Hence, after 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5, White has to make a big decision either to go for 9.Bxf6 (the dynamic line) or 9.Nd5 (the positional approach).
In case of 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd5, Black has the choice between 10…f5 and 10…Bg7, which is IM Robert Ris’ current choice. After 11.Bd3 Ne7, the so-called Novosibirsk Variation is on the board and leads to fascinating play.
In the critical position after 12.Nxe7 Qxe7 13.0-0 0-0 14.c4 f5 White has several options. 15.Qh3 and 15.Qh5 are considered to be the most challenging, but in either case Black has both solid and reliable responses.
In IM Ris’ opinion, the most practical response to the positional line arising from 9.Nd5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c3 is challenging the d5-square straight away with 11….Ne7!?.
In recent years, the alternative of 11.c4 has been posing Black some serious questions, but a new and remarkable plan of bringing the bishop back to g7 certainly offers good practical chances.
Since both the dynamic and the positional variations don’t give White any prospects of a theoretical advantage any longer, the move 7.Nd5 reappeared in the arena in 2018 when Caruana used it in the World Championship match with Carlsen.
After 7…Nxd5 8.exd5 Ris believes that 8…Ne7!? is the most ambitious response for Black.
At last, all other minor options between moves 6 and 9 have been covered as well just to make sure you’ll not get surprised in any of these sidelines either!
Whether you are aiming to equalize with Black or launch a massive counterattack against the white king, the Killer Sveshnikov course is the perfect guide to one of the most reliable Sicilian systems for Black and will certainly offer you plenty of new ideas to implement in your own games!
– IM Robert Ris