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Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack for White
The Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack starts with a direct bishop move that asks Black an immediate question. You are not trying to memorise a long forced line here; you are trying to handle the key position well and steer the game into a structure you understand. The drill below puts you in the critical moment after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, where Black must decide how to meet your pressure on c6 and the kingside.
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Create a free account →What this opening is trying to do
With the Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack, White develops quickly and puts pressure on Black’s knight before the position becomes too sharp. The bishop on b5 is the point of the opening: it creates early tension and makes Black think about how to keep control of the centre while finishing development. For a practical player, that is the appeal. You get an active setup, clear piece play, and a position where understanding matters more than memorising long variations.
The position after 3.Bb5
At the exact position in the drill, it is Black to move. That means your job as White is to be ready for several common replies and to keep your pieces coordinated after Black chooses a setup. The engine’s best move here is e5, continuing e5 O-O Nge7 c3. You do not need to force that line by memory, but it is useful to know that the engine likes Black to challenge the centre immediately while White keeps developing around the bishop pressure.
What the database says
The numbers suggest a playable fight rather than a one-sided edge. Stockfish rates this +0.29, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here. Across 7,902,257 games in this exact position, White wins 49.2%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 46.8%. The position is close, which is exactly why this is a good drill: small inaccuracies can matter, but both sides still have chances to play for a win.
Black’s most common replies
You will often meet one of Black’s main continuations right away, so it helps to know what the database shows. The most-played continuations from here are a6, e6, d6, g6, Nd4, and Nf6. Among them, a6 is the most common, with 1,643,422 games and White scoring 50.0%. The other popular choices are also very playable, so in the drill you should focus on good piece placement and stable development rather than trying to guess a single forced refutation.
Results across 7,902,257 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| a6 | 1,643,422 | 50.0% |
| e6 | 1,385,489 | 49.0% |
| d6 | 1,376,164 | 48.5% |
| g6 | 1,177,373 | 48.1% |
| Nd4 | 556,010 | 46.1% |
| Nf6 | 480,431 | 50.5% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack good for White?
Yes, the database and engine both show a playable position for White. Stockfish gives a small edge with +0.29, and White’s results in the exact position are balanced but slightly better overall.
What is the main idea behind 3.Bb5?
You use the bishop to put early pressure on Black’s knight and make Black decide how to continue development. It is a practical way to play the Sicilian without diving into very sharp main-line theory.
What should I expect Black to play most often?
The most-played continuations from this exact position are a6, e6, d6, g6, Nd4, and Nf6. The single most common one is a6, so that is a good reply to prepare for first.
What is the engine’s best move in this position?
The engine’s best move here is e5, continuing e5 O-O Nge7 c3. That tells you Black’s most accurate practical reaction is to strike in the centre and develop naturally.
How many games feature the Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack?
Over 8 million Lichess games have reached the Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack position. White wins 49.2%, Black wins 46.8%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.