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We’ll focus our attention on three lines this month. The first is pioneered by Nihal Sarin, in two creative wins in his usual style. This line is a great opportunity to avoid theory and reach unorthodox positions early in the game. A great idea to catch your opponent off-guard.
Our second line explores the novelty 10.b3 in an unusual line of the 2..e6 variation - somewhere between an Alapin and a French. Though the line isn't my favourite for White, the position is rich and there is plenty of room for error for Black.
Finally, we'll borrow GM Saric's expertise in the Rossolimo to dive deeper into the 3..g6 and 5..e5 line, where I fancy White's chances after 7.a4. These structures are strategically complex and difficult to handle. In particular, understanding the ...b5 break seems key to understanding the position overall.

Download PGN of June ’25 Anti-Sicilian games

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Anti-Najdorf/Dragon 4.Bb5+ Bd7 5.Qe2!? [B50]

It can be difficult to find new ideas in the Anti-Sicilians, but I think we’re onto a good one this month. After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Nf6, White normally plays 4.d4 and transposes back into main lines. However, 4.Bb5+ is a perfectly valid option, leading to often untested grounds after 4..Bd7 5.Qe2!?:

Black has many way to respond here, and we’ll take a look at a few natural ones.

First, 5..e6 was tried in Nihal, S - Sjugirov, S. A seemingly quiet position turned into a perfect attacking storm, which White ultimately converted.

Black went for 5..a6 in Nihal, S - Ter Sahakyan, S. White achieved a very comfortable position rather quickly after 6.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 7.0-0 e6 8.d3 b5 9.a4, which Nihal did not fail to add to the scoreboard.

Known for his interesting opening ideas, GM Van Foreest was confronted with 5..Nc6 in Van Foreest, J - Parkhov, Y.

Finally, we’ll take a look at a seemingly more solid approach for Black with 5...e5. Despite the closed position, White formed a winning attack rather quickly in Volokitin, A - Sandipan, C.



Delayed Alapin 3.c3 Nf6 4.Bd3 [B40]

In the line 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Bd3 d5 5.e5 Nd7 6.Bc2 c4 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Re1 Qc7 9.Qe2 g5! is a typical theme in these structures for Black:

10.b3 was played for the first time in Pranav, V - Lavrencic, M. Despite it’s underwhelming conclusion, it paved the way for some very interesting analysis.

This move has been repeated only once since, in Amin, B - Movsesian, S. While Black went on to win the game, I believe White missed a good opportunity in 12.Qf1.

Overall, I’m not convinced by this line for White, but definitely interesting to surprise your opponent with.



Rossolimo 3...g6: 4.0-0 Bg7 5.Re1 e5 6.Bxc6 [B31]

After 6..dxc6:

7.a4 caught my eye here. Though I’m not sure the move order is always relevant, I like White’s position in this line.

We’ll learn from two of Ivan Saric’s games, who achieved mixed results. He went for ideas with ..Nf6 in Karthik, V - Saric, I, which continued 7..Qe7 8.Na3 Nf6. I believe White missed a chance around move 14, and succumbed to Black’s energetic play.

In another attempt, Black chose another square for the knight after 8...Nh6 in Bjerre, J - Saric, I. White won this game convincingly with very calm play.

A nice line for White which I’d recommend for positional players!



Till next time, Ezra

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