The Sicilian Defence has long been the fighting player's answer to 1.e4, prized for imbalance, counterplay and winning chances with the black pieces. Yet its most famous branches - from the Najdorf, the Sveshnikov and the Dragon, among others - are also among the most heavily analysed areas of opening theory, often demanding extensive memorisation. Against this backdrop, lesser-known systems can offer a practical alternative, combining sound ideas with surprise value.
One such line is the Löwenthal Variation, arising after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 a6.
Traditionally viewed with some suspicion because of the structural concessions Black makes, it has nevertheless continued to attract independent thinkers. Rather than accepting long-standing verdicts at face value, Dutch IM Nico Zwirs set out to examine the variation in depth, testing its foundations and practical potential.
The result is a repertoire built on flexibility. The course does not present a single, rigid path, but two complementary approaches:
This dual framework allows players to adapt their choice to the opponent, the tournament situation or simply their own mood at the board.
A section of this course can be previewed for free. Find below a few snippets to see if you want to become a Löwenthal specialist!
Returning with the queen to d1 after Black plays 7...Qf6 is the main line of the Löwenthal. The main line then continues with 8.Qd1 Qg6
This position was seen, for example, in round 11 of the 1962 Candidates Tournament in Curaçao, as Bobby Fischer defeated Mikhail Tal from the white side. In 2005, Paco Vallejo defeated Vladimir Kramnik (during his prime) playing black at the blindfold section of the Amber Tournament.
Nico Zwirs here starts to explore the many alternatives arising from this position. Many of the lines involve White giving a check from c7 with his knight, when Black must respond with ...Ke8-e7. As explained by Zwirs, even when White captures the rook on a8, Black should not hurry to grab material, but focus on gaining the initiative!
For example, in the sideline arising from 8.Qd1 Qg6 9.Nc3 d5 10.Nxd5 Nxe4+ 11.Be2 Nd4 12.Nc7+ Ke7 13.f3 Nxc2+...
...and after 14.Kf2 Qc6 15.Nxa8 Qc5+ 16.Kf1...
...Black should not hurry to capture the rook with 16...Nxa1, but play 16...Nf6 instead, focusing on development.
Once we get the feel for the position, demonstrated with clear explanations by Zwirs, we notice that it is these kinds of decisions which justify playing this line. At various points during the opening and early middlegame battles, it is evident that White needs to make tough decisions - and, if he is not deeply prepared to face this line, it is likely that he will go wrong!
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