Deep Preparation - Sicilian Four Knights with ...Bc5 

Beyond 6...Bc5: Dreev and Basso's Ambitious Four Knights Blueprint

In 2019, two grandmasters quietly planted a theoretical seed that would reshape the Four Knights Sicilian landscape. GM Pier Luigi Basso became the first to demonstrate 12...Ne7—a paradoxical knight retreat that transforms a cramped position into dynamic counterplay, and GM Alexey Dreev soon followed. What began as an experiment in uncharted territory has now exploded in popularity, aided by modern engine analysis that validated their human intuition. This course reveals the full architecture of that breakthrough.

From Solid to Ambitious: The Evolution of Dreev's Four Knights Repertoire

Dreev and Basso previously collaborated on Four Knights Sicilian for Black, recommending the solid 6...Bb4. That course delivered reliability—a solid weapon for Black. Deep Preparation - Sicilian Four Knights with ...Bc5 marks a philosophical departure. Here, 6...Bc5 embraces ambition: Black plays for three results, accepting sharper positions in exchange for genuine winning chances. The critical position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5 7.Bf4 O-O 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8 11.O-O-O a6 12.Nd4 Ne7 demands precision from both sides. White's space advantage collides with Black's dynamic piece coordination—the kind of tension where deep preparation separates theory from understanding.

Variation Map: Sicilian Four Knights with 6...Bc5!?

Main Line: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 Bc5!?

7th Move: White's First Decision

• 7.Bf4 — Main Line (leads to critical positions)
• 7.Nd6+ — Immediate check (Chapters 9-11)

Main Line Continuation: 7.Bf4 O-O 8.Bc7 Qe7 9.Bd6 Bxd6 10.Qxd6 Qd8!

11th Move: Key Branching Point

• 11.O-O-O a6 12.Nd4 Ne7! (The Basso-Dreev Innovation)
• 11.Qc7 d5! (Chapter 2)
• 11.Nc7 Rb8 (Chapter 8 - Shirov's Line)

After 12...Ne7 - White's 13th Move Options

• 13.h4 b5! — Main Critical Line (Chapter 3)
• 13.f3 / 13.g4!? (Chapter 4)
• 13.Qg3 / 13.e5!? (Chapter 5)
• 13.Bd3 / 13.Bc4 / 13.Be2 (Chapter 6)
• 13.a4!? (Chapter 7 - Prophylactic try)

The course doesn't simply catalog variations; it deconstructs the logic behind each critical junction. Why does Black avoid the endgame after 10...Qxd6? When does White's 11.Nc7 Rb8 12.Be2 diverge meaningfully from 12.O-O-O? How does 13...b5 answer 13.a4, which seemingly prevents that very advance? Dreev and Basso provide the GM-level framework that transforms memorization into strategic comprehension. Chapter 3 dissects the mainline 13.h4 b5, while Chapters 4-7 systematically address White's alternatives (13.f3, 13.Qg3, 13.Bd3/Bc4/Be2, 13.a4). The dangerous 7.Nd6+ receives dedicated coverage in Chapters 9-11, ensuring you're armed against every serious try.

Course Structure and Technical Specifications

• 11 Chapters covering all critical lines and move orders
• 30 test positions to sharpen tactical vision and verify understanding
• Memory Booster feature for efficient retention
• To Go Version of every chapter for quick study
• 3 hours and 24 minutes of video instruction
• Multilingual PGN availability (English, German, French, Spanish)

Your Move

The Basso-Dreev Sicilian offers what every ambitious player craves: a principled system with unexplored potential, backed by world-class analysis. Explore Deep Preparation - Sicilian Four Knights with ...Bc5 and discover why this once-obscure variation has become the choice of discerning practitioners worldwide.

INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Introduction – ? *

B45 Dreev Deep Prep [GM Alexey Dreev]

Welcome to Dreev Deep Preparation — The Truth Behind the Theory. This time we dive into a very special line – the 6...Bc5!? Sicilian. This line was practically unknown ten years ago, but nowadays, its popularity has exploded, and everybody is playing it. 1. e4 c5 2. ♘f3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. ♘xd4 ♘f6 5. ♘c3 ♘c6 6. ♘db5 ♗c5!? I have analyzed this line together with Pier in 2019, and we developed many new ideas, for example, 12...Ne7!? in the main line. Back then, there were no games, but now things are much more interesting, especially thanks to the powerful engines that have found new resources.

( 6… ♗b4 is the move we recommended in "Four Knights Sicilian according to Dreev". Compared to 6...Bb4, the new line 6...Bc5 that we present here is much more ambitious, and we can play it for three results. )

7. ♗f4 Critical move. White takes control of the important c7 and d6 squares.

( 7. ♘d6+ this move is also serious when Black's bishop is on c5. We cover it in Chapters 9-11. )

7… O-O 8. ♗c7! first White forces Qe7, and only then plays Bd6.

( 8. ♗d6 is less accurate. We'll discuss this and other sidelines along the way in Chapter 1. )

8… ♕e7 9. ♗d6 ♗xd6 10. ♕xd6 ♕d8! it's important for Black to avoid the endgame.

( 10… ♕xd6? 11. ♘xd6 White has a strong knight on d6. We cannot play like this. )

11. O-O-O White's main move, by far.

( If White insists on an endgame with 11. ♕c7 now things are different because we have 11… d5! We'll check 11.Qc7 together with other 11th sidelines in Chapter 2. )

( 11. ♘c7!? Interesting move. 11… ♖b8 Now White has 12.Be2 and 12.000 (played recently by Shirov) . We cover these lines in Chapter 8. )

11… a6 12. ♘d4 ♘e7! The key idea. Pier was the first Grandmaster to play it in 2019, Navara followed, and I came third! If chess theory were fair, it should be called the Basso–Dreev Sicilian. Well, maybe Basso–Navara–Dreev if we want to be diplomatic! 13. h4 The most critical move.

( In Chapter 4 13. f3 together with 13.g4!? )

( In Chapter 5 13. ♕g3 together with 13.e5!? )

( In Chapter 6 13. ♗d3 together with 13.Bc4 and 13.Be2. )

( In Chapter 7 13. a4!? which is a rare move, but an important one, because it looks like White stops b5. (SMALL SPOILER: We will still play 13...b5! and things will be very interesting) . )

13… b5 We'll study this important position in Chapter 3. If you want to have an ambitious and reliable line in the Four Knights Sicilian, the 6...Bc5!? variation is the perfect choice, and you are in the right place. This course continues the Dreev Deep Preparation series — a project designed to take you inside the mind of elite players, where every detail matters. The most important move in this line, 12...Ne7, was invented by us in 2018/2019, and we will not only give you concrete theory, but also the deeper understanding that allows you to handle these positions with clarity, confidence, and authority — the way top GMs do. *

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Chapter 3 – 12...Ne7 13.h4 Mainline *

B45 Dreev Deep Prep [GM Alexey Dreev]

1. e4 c5 2. ♘f3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. ♘xd4 ♘f6 5. ♘c3 ♘c6 6. ♘db5 ♗c5 7. ♗f4 O-O 8. ♗c7 ♕e7 9. ♗d6 ♗xd6 10. ♕xd6 ♕d8 11. O-O-O a6 12. ♘d4 ♘e7 13. h4 Main line and most principled. 13… b5 14. h5 The best. Black must stop the pawn on h5 and has two ways to do it.

( If White plays slowly with 14. a3 ♗b7 15. f3 Black is fine after 15… h5! to stop g4. 16. ♗e2 ♖c8= )

( 14. f3 prepares g4, that's why the answer is concrete 14… ♘e8! 15. ♕b4

( 15. ♕g3? b4! ∓ Our plan, Black is just better. )

15… ♖b8N Big counterplay. )

( 14. ♘b3 also no problem. 14… ♗b7 15. f3 h5! ∞ Only two games, interesting position to play. )

14… h6!? My recommendation, it's easier to understand as it stops h6 forever and leaves fewer options for White to investigate.

( 14… ♘e8 Most common, I played it three times, but it's a very rich position and it can get risky for both sides. 15. ♕b4!? Sarana's move, very concrete.

( Black's idea: 15. ♕g3?! b4! 16. ♘a4 h6! ↑ in time for both b4 and h6. Na4 is misplaced. )

( 15. ♕a3!? Kotronias' idea, I like it for White, since Black doesn't have time for h6 anymore. 15… ♖b8N 16. h6! The point. 16… g6 17. ♕b4 ♗b7∞ New position and White has many interesting tries. )

( 15. ♕h2!? Tricky move against b4. 15… h6! Only good move.

( 15… b4? 16. h6! Intermezzo. 16… g6 17. ♘a4± Black was not in time to play ...h6. )

16. a3 ♗b7 17. g4!? White's idea, but it should be playable for Black. 17… ♖c8!? idea is Rxc3.

( 17… ♕b8!? ∞ leads to similar endgames. )

18. f3 Best.

( 18. ♖g1 a bit early. 18… ♖xc3! 19. bxc3 ♗xe4∞ Very unclear position. )

18… ♘c6!? N Black must trade White's active pieces. 19. ♘b3 ♕c7 20. ♕xc7 ♖xc7 The endgame is normal, for example: 21. ♗e2 ♘f6 22. ♖d6 ♘e5 23. ♖g1 g5!? ∞ Complicated and playable for both sides. )

15… h6! Necessary. 16. f4

( 16. ♖g1!? N also critical. 16… e5 17. ♘f3 d6! to prepare Qb6. 18. ♘xe5 ♕b6 19. ♘d3?! holding on to material can be risky. 19… ♗e6! The idea is to trap the queen. 20. ♘e2! ♘c6 21. ♕e1 ♘f6↑ Black finished development and can hope for an initiative. )

16… ♘f6 to fight against g4. 17. ♖g1 drops h5.

( 17. g4!? still possible. 17… ♘xg4 18. ♖g1 ♘e3! 19. ♖e1 ♘xf1 20. ♖exf1₌^∞ Objectively full compensation, and looks risky for Black, for example: 20… f6 21. ♖d1 d5 22. exd5 exd5 23. ♘e4! ♘f5! 24. ♘xf5 ♗xf5 25. ♘d6 ♗h7 26. ♖xd5 ♕c7 27. f5 ♔h8= Black is not worse. )

17… ♘xh5 18. g3 White's ready for e5, that's why 18… ♘f6! Best. 19. g4 looks risky, but objectively it's normal, for example: 19… a5!? more forcing. 20. ♕c5 b4 21. g5 d6! Only move. 22. ♕c4 hxg5 23. fxg5 ♘h5 24. ♘cb5 e5 25. ♘f5 more human.

( 25. ♘c6!? Concrete. 25… ♘xc6 26. g6! Intermezzo. 26… ♕b6!? 27. gxf7+ ♖xf7 28. ♘xd6 ♖aa7! ∞ the game simplifies, but remains complicated for both sides. )

25… ♗xf5 26. exf5 ♘xf5∞ Very unclear position, it's objectively equal, but I am a bit afraid to enter it over the board. )

15. g4 Most critical line.

( 15. f3?! too slow. 15… ♘e8! 16. ♕b4 ♖b8⇄ White must always be careful with Qb4. )

( 15. a3 also harmless. 15… ♗b7 16. f3 ♘e8 17. ♕f4 ♘c6! ⇄ Just position. )

( 15. ♘b3 played by the young star, WGM Khamdamova. 15… ♗b7 16. f3 ♗c6!? Useful move. 17. g4 ♖e8N to prepare Qb8. 18. ♕g3

( 18. ♗d3 ♕b8! = The endgame is normal. )

18… b4 19. ♘e2 ♘h7!? ⇄ to prevent g5 and start the counterplay. I like Black's position.

( 19… ♕b8!? = also possible. )

)

15… ♗b7 16. f3 Usually played.

( 16. g5!? N Concrete, but not a problem. 16… hxg5 17. h6 ♘g6 Black's ready for Qb8, that's why White has to repeat. 18. ♕h2! ♘g4 19. ♕h5 White's ready for the tactical Nxe6 trick. 19… ♘f6 20. ♕h2

( 20. ♕xg5?? ♘xe4-+ Game over. )

20… ♘g4= Repetition. )

16… ♖e8! Best idea, to play for Qb8.

( The usual counterplay is too slow: 16… ♘e8?! 17. ♕h2 b4 18. ♘a4 ♕a5 19. b3 ♘c6 20. ♕d2⁺₌ White's attack is more dangerous. )

17. ♘b3 White's plan.

( 17. g5 harmless. 17… hxg5 18. ♕h2? Rakshitta-Karimova, 2025. 18… ♕b8! ∓ Black is much better. )

( 17. ♕g3 Concrete idea. 17… ♘h7 Simpler, to stop g5.

( 17… b4!? possible, but no need to enter it. 18. g5 hxg5 19. ♘a4 ♕a5 20. ♘b3 ♕xa4 21. h6! White goes for the attack. 21… ♘h7 22. hxg7 ♘g6! Only move, and it's difficult to understand anything after: 23. ♗d3 ♔xg7 24. ♖xh7+ ♔xh7 25. ♕xg5 e5 26. ♗c4! For the engine, it's always equal. 26… d5 27. ♘c5 ♕c6 28. ♗xd5 ♕c7∞ )

18. ♗d3

( 18. f4?! premature. 18… b4→ no g5 tempo. )

18… f6! we use the fact that Bd3 closes the d-file. 19. ♔b1 e5 20. ♘f5 ♘xf5 21. gxf5 ♘g5∞ Big knight on g5. )

17… ♕b8 18. ♕d2

( 18. ♘a5 The endgame must be normal. 18… ♗c6 19. ♕xb8 ♖exb8 20. a3 Logical plan. 20… ♖a7!? Solid regrouping. 21. ♘a2 ♗a8 22. ♘b4 ♖c8 23. ♖h2 ♔f8 Complicated endgame for both. 24. ♖d3 ♘h7 25. ♖hd2 ♘g5⇄ Very rich endgame. )

18… ♘h7! N Typical way to stop g5. 19. ♘a5 ♗c6 20. ♘xc6 dxc6 21. f4 f6= Next move e5 and Black stopped White's attack, with a good blockade. Overall, 13.h4 is very very rich for both sides as you see, my recommendation is to play training games before a tournament, because you need to feel this position, it's a Sicilian, but very unusual. *

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