Sicilian Closed
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d3!? Nc6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 d6 6.0-0 e6
This is a popular continuation, but even more common are 6...e5 and 6...Nf6.
7.Re1 Nge7 8.a4 0-0
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| Now both sides have castled, how would you assess the position? |
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This exact setup only occurs 25 times in ChessBase's 2026 Mega database, but it is typical of the type of position that arises from the Closed Variation of the Sicilian, and is equal, according to Stockfish18 and Dragon1.
9.h4!?
This may be a novelty.
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| How should Black respond? |
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9...e5!
Moving the e pawn a second time in the opening, but the point is that with White no longer able to play h3, the g4 square becomes an inviting post for Black's light-square bishop. The text is the engines' top choice.
10.h5!?
The engines prefer 10.c3, or developing the queen's knight, to either d2 or c3.
10...Bg4?!
Black has the upper hand after 10...gxh5, according to the engines.
11.h6 Bh8 12.c3 Qd7 13.Nbd2 Rad8 14.Qc2 f6!? 15.Nf1 d5 16.N3h2!?
The engines like 16.a5, claiming White has the upper hand.
16...Be6 17.Bd2 dxe4
The engines prefer 17...b6 or 17...d4.
18.dxe4 Na5 19.Nf3 Bb3 20.Qb1 b6
Not 20...Bxa4?? 21.Qxa2+ etc.
21.Ne3
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| Can Black now safely capture on a4? |
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No.
21...Bxa4?
After 21...f5 or 21...c4 the game is completely equal, according to Dragon1, although Stockfish18 slightly prefers White.
22.b4 cxb4 23.cxb4 Nb3
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| How should White proceed? |
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24.Qa2
Even stronger, according to the engines, is 24.Ra3!? Nxd2 25.Nxd2, when Black is still a pawn up, and with the bishop-pair, but the engines reckon White is winning, eg 25...Rfe8!? 26.Bf1!? (the simple 26.Qa2+ Kf8 27.Rxa4 Qxd2 28.Qxd2 Rxd2 29.Rxa7 is also good) Bc6 27.Bc4+ Kf8 28.b5 Ba8 29.Rd1, with massive pressure. If Black tries to hold on to the extra pawn by defending the light-square bishop with 25...b5, the engines reckon 26.Nb3 is very strong for White, and certainly Black's somewhat exposed king, and sidelined bishops, do not make a good impression.
24...b5 25.Rab1 Qe6 26.Rb2 Rd6?!
The engines much prefer 26...Qf7!?
27.Bc3
Even stronger seems to be the engines' 27.Nd5!?, eg 27...Nxd5 28.exd5 Rxd5 (28...Qxd5? 29.Nxe5) 29.Rxb3 Bxb3 30.Qxb3 Rd6 31.Qxe6+ Rxe6 32.Be3 leaves White with bishop and knight for rook and two pawns, and, more importantly, much the better coordination, including having the bishop-pair.
27...Rc8?
Black should probably play 27...Rd3 or 27...Rfd8, although the engines are unsure which move is better.
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| White to play and gain a large advantage |
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28.Rc2?
Good is 28.Nd5 as 28...Nxd5 29.exd5 Rxd5 can be met by 30.Nd4, but best is 28.Bxe5! fxe5 29.Ng5, giving White an advantage worth about a minor piece, according to the engines.
28...Nd4!? 29.Qxe6+ Nxe6 30.Rcc1 Rdc6
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| Black has escaped the complications, while remaining a pawn up, but White apparently has sufficient compensation |
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31.Nd5?
The engines give 31.Bb2 or 31.Bd2, eg 31.Bb2 Rxc1 32.Bxc1!? (they reckon it is important for White to keep a pair of rooks on the board) Kf7 33.Nd5, claiming complete equality.
31...Nxd5 32.exd5 Rxc3 33.Rxc3 Rxc3 34.dxe6
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| Black to play and win |
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34...Kf8!?
Obvious enough, perhaps, but it is the only winning move, according to the engines.
35.Nd2
The engines suggest 35.g4!?, but have no good answer to 35...Ke7. Another possibility, pointed out by Dragon1, is 35.Bf1!?, when 35...Rxf3?? 36.Rc1 seems to allow White to draw, but again 35...Ke7 wins.
35...Ke7
35...f5 seems even better.
36.Ne4 Rc4 37.Rb1?!
White's best try is 37.Bf1!, when Black should reply 37...Rc7!, keeping control of the c file, as 37...Rxb4 38.Rc1!! Rxe4 39.Rc7+ Kxe6 40.Rxh7 may even win for White, according to the engines.
37...Kxe6?!
There is no rush for this, so better is the consolidating 37...a6, and the engines give as best 37...f5!?, eg 38.Ng5 e4 39.Nxh7 Bc2!? 40.Rc1 Bb2. But note that the tempting 37...Bc2?! runs into 38.Ra1!, with strong counterplay.
38.Nc5+ Ke7 39.Bh3?
This is easily met, and with a move Black wants to play anyway. However, after the engines' 39.Bd5 Rd4 40.Bg8, White more-or-less has full compensation for two pawns.
39...f5 40.Bf1 Rc3 41.Re1 e4 42.Nd3 Kd6 43.Nc5 Bd4
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| White is already two pawns down, and is losing more material imminently |
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44.Rxe4?!
Desperation.
44...fxe4 45.Nxe4+ Ke5 46.Nxc3 Bxc3 47.f4+ Kf6 48.Bg2 Bb3 49.Bc6 Bc4 0-1
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