Grivas Sicilian for Black: Boris Avrukh's Fresh Take on an Underestimated Weapon
The Grivas Sicilian—characterized by the early 4...Qb6—has long existed in the shadow of mainstream Open Sicilian theory. For decades, strong players dismissed it as interesting but ultimately insufficient, particularly after White's most testing responses. GM Boris Avrukh, one of the world's foremost opening theoreticians, believed the same. Until he didn't.
In his new course Grivas Sicilian for Black - Top-Level Repertoire, Avrukh reveals a "relatively new approach" to the main line that overturns previous assessments. The course centers on a critical re-evaluation: positions once considered "hardly playable for Black" now offer genuine counterplay through improved move orders and refined concepts. This isn't about reviving a dubious line—it's about demonstrating how modern understanding transforms the entire structure.
A Complete System Built on Fresh Foundations
Avrukh's repertoire begins with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Qb6, immediately putting White on notice. The queen placement creates immediate tactical tension while avoiding the encyclopedic main lines of the Najdorf, Dragon, or Sveshnikov. Yet this isn't a sideline repertoire—it's a comprehensive system promising "typical Sicilian play" in a less-explored territory.
The course addresses every serious try White can play across 11 annotated chapters. After 5.Nb3 e6 6.Nc3 Qc7, Avrukh examines multiple strategic setups: 7.Bd3, 7.Qe2, 7.Be3, and their respective sub-variations. A key position arises after 7.Bd3 a6 8.0-0 Nf6 9.f4 d6, where White has five major options in Chapter 10, with the critical main line 10.Qf3 b5 receiving dedicated treatment in Chapter 11.
The repertoire also handles White's 5th move alternatives comprehensively: the pawn-grabbing 5.Be3 (forcing the principled 5...Qxb2), the forcing 5.Nxc6, the direct 5.Nb5, and the solid 5.Nf3—all analyzed in the opening chapters with clear strategic guidance.
Variation Map
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Qb6:
- 5.Nb3 e6 6.Nc3 Qc7 — Main Line Structure
- 7.Bd3 a6 8.0-0 Nf6 9.f4 d6 (Chapters 8-11)
- 10.Qf3 b5 — Critical main line (Chapter 11)
- White's alternatives to 10.Qf3 (Chapter 10)
- White's alternatives to 9.f4 (Chapter 9)
- White's alternatives to 8.0-0 (Chapter 8)
- 7.Qe2 a6 — Four major alternatives (Chapter 6)
- 7.Be3 Bb4 8.Qg4 Qe5 — Three alternatives plus main line (Chapter 7)
- 6.Bd3/6.c4 — Early deviations (Chapter 4)
- 6.Be3 Qc7 — Four major alternatives (Chapter 5)
- 5.Be3 Qxb2 — Accepting the challenge (Chapter 1)
- 5.c3 Nf6 — Restrained approach (Chapter 1)
- 5.Nf3 Nf6 — Central battle (Chapter 1)
- 5.Nxc6 bxc6 — Early trade (Chapter 2)
- 5.Nb5 a6 — Direct confrontation (Chapter 3)
Course Features
- 11 Chapters
- 20 Test Positions
- Memory Booster
- To Go Version of every chapter
- Video instruction
- Multilingual PGN availability (English, German, French, Spanish)
This follows Avrukh's recent work on Black repertoires, including his acclaimed Queen's Gambit Declined for Black - Modern Approach to the Carlsbad and Reti Opening for Black - The Bluebaum Setup. Each course reflects his methodical approach: uncovering modern improvements and building complete repertoires on solid ground.
For players seeking a practical Sicilian that combines theoretical novelty with genuine surprise value, Avrukh's rehabilitation of the Grivas variation delivers a fighting weapon backed by world-class analysis. When a theoretician of Avrukh's caliber changes his assessment from "hardly playable" to recommending a line, it's worth paying attention.