Sicilian Defence, Katalymov Variation GM Christian Bauer, with which he managed to draw a game in 2005 against currently top-ranked GM Magnus Carlsen. It has also been used by top players such as Gata Kamsky and Soviet GM Lev Psakhis. The opening is named after Soviet IM Boris Katalymov (1932–2013). Bibliography Sicilian Defence, Katalymov Variation In chess, the Katalymov Variation (also spelled Katalimov) is a less popular line of the Sicilian Defence that begins with the moves: The Katalymov is considered inferior since it commits Black to a plan with ...b6 rather than more aggressive Sicilian defences incorporating b7–b5. Black must protect the b5-square,
Sicilian Defence most part, other moves are the Closed Sicilian. Possible moves are 3.g3 and 3.f4 in general, also 3.Nge2, and less commonly 3.d3 and 3.Bc4. Some lines may transpose to the Open Sicilian, but there are many that do not. Also of some interest is 3.Bb5 to ...Nc6. A typical line is 2...Nc6 3.g3 ("ECO" code B24). Also 2...Nc6 3.f4 is the Closed Sicilian, Grand Prix Attack (part of B23). White can also keep their options open with 3.Nge2. Andrew Soltis has dubbed that the "Chameleon System", since White maintains the option of playing a Closed Sicilian with 4.g3 or transposing