6.Nb3 and 6.Nf3: the quiet retreats is variation 4 of 6 in the Sicilian Sveshnikov course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO B33). It runs 22 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 …. White pulls the knight back instead of going to b5. Black pins the c3 knight with ...Bb4 and breaks with ...d5 at once. After the trades Black has the better pawns. Watch out for the mate on h7. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... c5 – The Sicilian. Black fights for d4 from the side.
2. Nf3 – White develops and prepares to open the centre.
2... Nc6 – Black develops and watches d4.
3. d4 – White opens the centre.
3... cxd4 – Black takes and gets the half-open c-file.
4. Nxd4 – White takes back with the knight.
4... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks e4.
5. Nc3 – White defends e4.
5... e5 – The Sveshnikov. Black kicks the knight and takes space.
6. Nb3 – A passive retreat, a small inaccuracy. The knight no longer fights for d5 or d6.
6... Bb4 – Black develops with a pin. Now the e4 pawn has lost a defender.
7. Bd3 – White defends e4 with the bishop.
7... d5 – The key break. Black opens the centre while White is not castled.
8. exd5 – White takes the pawn.
8... Nxd5 – Black takes back with the knight. The pin on c3 is still there.
The lesson goes on for 6 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM