Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Chelyabinsk Variation

The Chelyabinsk line is 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Nd5, the main road of the Sveshnikov. White plants a knight on d5 and targets the light squares, while Black accepts weak pawns for the bishop pair and active play.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Nd5
ECO
B33
Engine
+0.08 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
671 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Trade on f6 with Bxf6 to remove the defender of d5 and keep a knight on that outpost.
  • Play c3 and Nc2, rerouting the a3 knight toward e3 to add a second piece for d5.
  • Use a4 to attack the b5 pawn and open the a-file once the knight has left a3.
  • If Black plays ...Rb8, take on f6 to wreck the pawns and follow with Qf3.

Black

  • 9...Be7 is the engine's choice; after Bxf6 Bxf6 the bishop goes to g5 for dark-square play.
  • Bring the rook to b8 to support b5 against the coming a4 push.
  • Plan ...f5 to strike at e4, opening lines for the bishop pair and the rooks.
  • ...Qa5+ and Qd2 ideas are dubious; keep the queen home until the center is settled.

Plans and pawn structure

This is the classic Sveshnikov fight. White owns d5 with a knight and wants to add Nc2-e3 and a light-squared bishop, while hitting b5 with a4. Black's pawn on d6 is backward, but Black has two bishops and the ...f5 break. After ...Bg5, Black's dark-squared bishop becomes strong. White aims for queenside play and a grip on d5; Black wants ...f5 and kingside activity. Whoever gets their break in first usually takes over.

Where the engine's main line heads: Open Sicilian with ...e5: a hole on d5, a backward d6 pawn. An Open Sicilian with ...e5: Black has the center but leaves a hole on d5 and a backward pawn on d6.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.08: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.08 9...Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c3 Rb8 12.Nc2
  2. +0.57 9...Qa5+ 10.Bd2 Qd8 11.c4 Nd4 12.cxb5
  3. +1.09 9...Rb8 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.c3 Bg7 12.Qf3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

671 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.4%.

1600–199946.4%
2000 and up54.5%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

Black should play 9...Be7 and meet Bxf6 with ...Bxf6, then aim the bishop at g5. Avoid 9...Rb8 and the doubled pawns after Bxf6 gxf6 unless you know those lines. Keep ...f5 ready and do not let White add a second piece on d5.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Chelyabinsk Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Chelyabinsk Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 9.Nd5. Its ECO code is B33.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Chelyabinsk Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.08 at depth 20, which is level. In 671 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.4%. Best for players on either side who like deep theory and dynamic imbalances, with Black needing exact moves to justify the pawn weaknesses.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Sveshnikov Variation, Chelyabinsk Variation?

White builds a bind on d5 with knights and targets Black's queenside with a4. Black accepts a backward d6 pawn for the bishop pair and counterplay with ...Bg5 and ...f5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Be7, with Qa5+ and Rb8 close behind. 9...Be7 prepares to recapture on f6 with the bishop, keeping Black's pawn structure intact.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.