The Moscow Variation: A Practical 3.Bb5+ Repertoire Against the Sicilian
A check that changes the conversation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 usually signals a Najdorf, Dragon or Classical player, ready for a long theoretical debate. 3.Bb5+ declines that debate on the spot. The Moscow Variation: A Practical Repertoire for White by GM Vladimir Malakhov, GM Pier Luigi Basso and IM Dragos Ceres builds a complete answer around that check.
The Moscow Variation is the natural partner of the Rossolimo. Together, the two form one anti-Sicilian repertoire built on the same bishop move and the same practical philosophy.
Close to equal is not the same as pleasant to play
Malakhov is candid about the theory. In some directions, Black can stay close to equality with perfect play.
But "close to equal" and "pleasant to play" are two very different things. Every recommendation in the course aims for positions where White presses without risk and Black has to solve problems move after move.
Against the main line, 3...Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7, that aim takes one clear shape: 5.c4 and the Maroczy structure. In the critical fianchetto lines, 9.f3 cements the center once and for all. Depending on Black's move order, the 9.h3!? setup is also available and can be even more promising than f3.
The other replies get the same practical treatment. Against 3...Nd7, theoretically Black's toughest answer, the key idea is 8.Nfd2!, which clears the way for f4 and g4. Against 3...Nc6, White heads for a comfortable Alapin-style position with Re1, c3 and d4. This is the same position the Rossolimo volume pointed to via 2...Nc6 3.Bb5 d6.
The reasoning behind the repertoire
The authors' reasoning is consistent throughout. Against 2...d6, White does not need the sharpest line in every branch. White needs a coherent structure, mainly the Maroczy bind, and a clear plan in each position. With those, the opponent is the one who has to think from move three.
Map of variations
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+
3...Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.c4
- 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 g6 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Nc6 9.f3 Bg7 10.Be3 → Chapter 1
- 8...Bg7 9.h3!? Nc6 10.Be3 O-O → Chapter 2
- 5...e5!? 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.d3 → Chapter 3
- 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 Nc6 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qg4!? (and the 8...e6 setups) → Chapter 4
3...Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Nxd7 5.O-O Ngf6 6.Qe2 → Chapters 5–7
3...Nd7 4.O-O
- 4...Ngf6 5.Re1 a6 6.Bf1 → Chapter 8
- 4...a6 5.Be2 Ngf6 6.d3!? e6 7.a4 b6 8.Nfd2! → Chapter 9
- 6...g6 7.c4 (Maroczy bind against the fianchetto) → Chapter 10
3...Nc6 4.O-O Bd7 5.Re1 Nf6 6.c3 a6 7.Bf1
- 7...e5!? → Chapter 11
- 7...Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 → Chapter 12
A Platinum Course: guaranteed evolution
As a Platinum Course, The Moscow Variation is not a static theoretical product. It is a living repertoire with guaranteed long-term development.
Free updates arrive every 6 months for 2 years, always exactly 6 months apart and automatically included. Each one brings substantial, practical improvements rather than cosmetic changes.
Users can ask questions and upload their own games. The most instructive material is selected for future updates, which may add new theoretical developments, video explanations, chapters, model games, exercises or learning tools.
Course structure and features
- 12 theory chapters with video instruction throughout
- 5 Things to Know: the essential ideas of the repertoire
- 50 test positions: critical moments with tactical and strategic solutions
- Model game: the repertoire's plans in high-level play
- 5 training positions for interactive practice against the engine
- 4 critical moments: key decisions from practical play, analyzed in depth
- A Memory File: all 12 chapters condensed into one, with the key lines
- Memory Booster: for long-term recall of the main ideas
- To-Go version of every chapter: condensed files for fast pre-game review
- Multilingual PGN files in English, German, French and Spanish
- Full download access: all materials are yours to keep
Completing the 3.Bb5 repertoire
This course is the second half of the authors' 3.Bb5 repertoire. Malakhov's Rossolimo volume covers 2...Nc6, and the Moscow Variation now covers 2...d6, giving White one consistent approach against both, built on the same practical philosophy.
Get The Moscow Variation: A Practical Repertoire for White and make 2...d6 your opponent's problem from move three.