1. [0] Introduction

The Killer Sveshnikov course will offer you a complete Black repertoire from the starting position of the Sveshnikov after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 and is based on the most recent games of World Champion Magnus Carlsen and covers all the latest theoretical developments.

Traditionally play evolves around the d5 and White aims to make use of that by installing his knight there as soon as possible. Hence, after 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 White has to make a big decision either to go for 9.Bxf6 (the dynamical line) or 9.Nd5 (the positional approach).

In case of 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd5 Black has the choice between 10…f5 (which I recommended in my book the Modernized Sveshnikov) and 10…Bg7, which is my current choice. After 11.Bd3 Ne7 the so-called Novosibirsk Variation is on the board and leads to fascinating play. In the critical position after 12.Nxe7 Qxe7 13.0-0 0-0 14.c4 f5 White has several options. 15.Qh3 and 15.Qh5 are considered to the most challenging, but in either case both a solid and reliable as well as a dynamical and ambitious option are being offered so viewers may decide for themselves what is the best fit.

In my opinion the most practical response to the positional line arising from 9.Nd5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c3 is challenging the d5-square straightaway with 11….Ne7!?. In recent years the alternative 11.c4 has been posing Black some serious questions, but a new and remarkable plan of bringing the bishop back to g7 certainly offers good practical chances.

Since both the dynamical and the positional variation aren’t giving White any prospects of a theoretical advantage any longer, the move 7.Nd5 reappeared in the arena in 2018 when Caruana used it in the World Championship match with Carlsen. After 7…Nxd5 8.exd5 I believe that 8…Ne7!? is the most ambitious response for Black.

At last all other minor options between move 6 and 9 have been covered as well just to make sure you’ll not get surprised in any of these sidelines either!

Whether you are aiming to equalise with Black or launch a massive counterattack against the white king, the Killer Sveshnikov course is the perfect guide to one of the most reliable Sicilian systems for Black and will certainly offer you plenty of new ideas to implement in your own games!

- IM Robert Ris

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Contents:

[0] Introduction

[1] Novosibirsk Introduction

[2] Novosibirsk g3

[3] Novosibirsk setup with c3

[4] Novosibirsk 15.cxb5

[5] Novosibirsk 15. Re1 & 15.Qe2

[6] Novosibirsk 15. Qf3 d5

[7] Novosibirsk 15.Qf3 Qb7

[8] Novosibirsk 15.Qh5 Rb8

[9] Novosibirsk 15.Qh5 d5

[10] Novosibirsk 11.c3 f5 with 16. Qh5, 16.Bc2 & 16.a4

[11] Novosibirsk 11.c3 f5 with 16.0-0 e4

[12] Novosibirsk 11.c3 & exf5 Minor Options

[13] Positional Variation 11.c3 Ne7 Introduction

[14] Positional Variation 11.c3 Ne7 setup Nc2-Bd3

[15] Positional Variation 11.c3 Ne7 setup Bd3-Qe2

[16] Positional Variation 11.c3 Ne7 Minor Options

[17] Positional Variation 10.Nxe7 Qxe7.

[18] Positional Variation 11.c4

[19] New Main Line 7.Nd5 Intro & 9.c3

[20] New Main Line 7.Nd5 & 10.h4

[21] New Main Line 7.Nd5 & 10.Qa4

[22] Sidelines 7.Be3, 7.Na3 & 7.a4

[23] Sidelines Nab1 ideas

[24] Sidelines 6.Nf5

[25] Sidelines 6.Nb3 & 6.Nf3

[26] Sidelines 6.Nde2

[27] Sidelines 6.Nxc6