New Sveshnikov Line!

Following the initial setup of the Sveshnikov opening, it is standard and thematic to follow up with d6. However I suggest a new line, bb4!
White has only two valid responses to this move. Nd6+ which I consider the "main line" or the engine preferred a3 which shuts down a large amount of play. At high engine depths, Nd6+ is equal if not slightly better for black, a3 is considerably better for white, this is not a line I would recommend playing classical since a3 is a soft refutation. Despite this fact, I have played it multiple times in an advanced classical environment (opponents rated 1600-2000) and seen moderate success.

Following nd6+, ke7 white can either initiate nf5+ or nxc7+, engine prefers nxc7, however I am yet to see nxc7 be played with a good result for black. Following nxc7, black captures with rook and has a fairly easy game given their strong development, and black will eventually self-castle.

Engine enjoys going re8 followed by kf8, with eventual plans for a fast d5 pawn break.
If white goes nf5+, this is followed up with kf8 and here is where complications begin. The main line consists of:

Thematic ideas consist of getting white's bishop to a non-optimal diagonal before playing g6 and resolving the questionable placement of your king.

The appeal of this line to me at least is the early aggression and the fact that after nd6+ (which I deem to be the most logical move white plays (without understanding this theory), black is simply equal if not better.


Here is a game I played in a classical event.