Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Ndb5 Qb8 7.Be3 a6 8.Bb6

ECO B47

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit is a chess opening line in the Sicilian Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Ndb5 Qb8 7.Be3 a6 8.Bb6.

It is catalogued under code B47 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Bb6 is chosen by White on move 8.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Beat the Taimanov Sicilian course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.