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3...g5!?: A Tricky Weapon against the Rossolimo

BugMeLater

Jul 9, 2024, 2:45 PM | 8

The Rossolimo. A very solid system against the Sicilian, aiming to exchange the Bishop for Knight and control the center in a positional game. As such, many Sicilian players have struggled against it.....

Until today!

We can play this shocking pawn sacrifice 3...g5!?, with strong positional ideas, and lots of complications where White cannot keep a supposed engine advantage, and you can get lots of initiative.

This ultra-rare line was seen in sparse games until GM Egorov started playing it in several games, with a positive score. Because of him, we can call it the Egorov Gambit.

Notably GM Matthew Sadler, known for working with engines nowadays and writing a book about AlphaZero, has MANY online games playing the Egorov Gambit. In fact, I just found out he dropped a video on it he re.

The Tabiya Position
What is White Going to Do
Main Line: 4. Nxg5
Main Line: 4. Bxc6
4th Move Sidelines
Model Games

The Tabiya Position

In this "course" on the Egorov Gambit, I aimed to maximize practical chances, and avoided overly complex positions where you have to play like an engine. That does not mean the lines I made will be boring. In fact, many are very sharp, and give you great attacks, and at worse a better endgame. From here, we'll diverge into 3 sections where White can play a variety of options. They're organized by likelihood. If you liked this Blog, and want more like it, leave a comment.

What is White Going to Do

There are two main replies worth considering: 4. Nxg5, and 4. Bxc6, ordered respectively by how difficult it is to play for Black. 4. Nxg5 is difficult for both sides, because it can lead to sharper positions where Black has the open g-file, and White is willing to risk it for play against the weak Black King. With 4. Bxc6 preventing any of our Nd4 ideas, the game is a little less sharp, but also more practically playable for Black.

Main Idea: 4. Nxg5

Main Idea: 4. Bxc6

4th Move Sidelines

Model Games

Here is a game where Egorov crushes another 2300 in a Titled Tuesday

Albeit an Elo gap, Black shows how effortlessly the Egorov Gambit can crush a near expert-level player

A New Weapon

I hope that this blog has provided you with an adequate and creative way to fight the Rossolimo, and if you don't decide to play it, perhaps the analysis might inspire you to find some interesting ideas in other lines. Meanwhile, I'll be looking out for the comments to see what other openings people want in-depth analysis on, and for the newest innovative weapons against your worst enemy openings!

3...g5!?: A Tricky Weapon against the Rossolimo

Winning Chess One Move at a Time