Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation
The Fianchetto Variation of the Rossolimo is 3...g6, where Black answers the bishop on b5 by preparing ...Bg7 on the long diagonal. White wants to castle and often trade on c6 to damage Black's pawns, while Black wants the bishop pair and pressure on d4.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6
- ECO
- B31
- Engine
- +0.32 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 2,749 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.3%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Castle first with 4.O-O, then decide on Bxc6 once Black has spent a move on ...Bg7.
- After Bxc6 dxc6, play d3 and a4, as in the top engine line, to fix Black's queenside and stop ...b5.
- If Black takes back with ...bxc6, Re1 and c3 prepare d4, hitting the doubled pawns and opening the center.
Black
- Play ...Bg7 at once so the bishop eyes d4 and b2, making a quick d4 harder for White.
- After Bxc6, recapture ...dxc6 to free the c8 bishop, then follow with ...Nf6 and ...Nd7 heading for e5.
- Against the slow d3 plan, ...e5 and ...Nge7 build a firm center that keeps the c6 knight protected.
Plans and pawn structure
The main question is the trade on c6. If White plays Bxc6, the game becomes a fight between White's quick development and Black's two bishops. With ...dxc6 Black gets an open d-file and aims for ...Nd7-e5 or ...e5; White answers with d3, a4 and a later f4 or Nc4. With ...bxc6 Black keeps central pawns, and White uses Re1, c3 and d4 to open lines before the bishops wake up. If White keeps the bishop, Black stays flexible with ...Nf6 or ...e5.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.32: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.32 4.O-O Bg7 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.a4 Nf6
- +0.30 4.Bxc6 bxc6 5.O-O Bg7 6.Re1 Qc7
- +0.19 4.d3 Bg7 5.O-O e5 6.c3 Nge7
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
2,749 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.3%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Gurgenidze Variation4.O-O · rare
How to play against it
As White, castle before trading so ...Bg7 and ...Nf6 do not come with tempo against your king. Trade on c6 when it doubles pawns without giving Black easy play, and meet ...dxc6 with d3 and a4. Avoid an early d4 push while Black's g7 bishop is aimed straight at it.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation?
The Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6. Its ECO code is B31.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.32 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 2,749 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.3%. Good for Black players who like slow maneuvering with two bishops, and for White players happy to play against weak pawns rather than for a fast attack.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, Fianchetto Variation?
Black fianchettoes the king's bishop to pressure d4 and keep the dark squares safe. White usually castles and gives up the b5 bishop for the c6 knight, betting that the damaged pawns matter more than Black's bishop pair.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is O-O, with Bxc6 and d3 close behind. 4.O-O gets the king safe first and keeps the trade on c6 in reserve until Black has committed the bishop to g7.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.