Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...cxd4/4. Nxd4/4...Nf6/5. Nc3/5...a6/6. Bc4

Fischer-Sozin attack Lipnitsky attack B90 Open Sicilian with ...d6 → Najdorf Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation, Fischer-Sozin Attack 6. Bc4 White develops her light-squared bishop to c4, entering the Fischer-Sozin attack. Pioneered by Fischer who extensively developed the theory of it, taking inspiration from Sozin's 6. Bc4 againt the Classical Sicilian, this move was at one point White's main weapon of choice against the Najdorf. However, it then fell out of favor as ways for Black to effectively equalise against it have been found, while the English Attack's true potential to pose problems for black was discovered. Recently, it has made a resurgence with modern lines that have strong practical value. While the bishop may be a target on c4, it eyes the f7 square against Black's king. Naturally, Black almost always responds with ...e7-e6, closing the bishop's diagonal towards the f7 square. Then, White has a few ways to develop, though she usually plays the improving move Bb3, moving the bishop to a safer square and in anticipation of ...b7-b5: -The classical way to play this variation is to castle kingside, then launch the f-pawn forward to pressure Black's light squares and start a same-side kingside attack. While this line might be playable, it has been shown that black could equalise without facing major problems from white. The modern improvement to this variant is to first play Qf3-Qg3, making the queen an active contributor in the attack. -Modern systems planning to castle queenside are promising. White intends to attack Black's kingside even more aggressively, and she has options of dropping explosive piece sacrifices on e6. An example line: 6...e6 7. Bb3 b5 8. Be3!? Be7 9. Qf3 Qc7 10. g4 b4 11. Nce2, where Black must play very accurately to survive. -An important alternative is the Velimirović attack, developed by Serbian grandmaster Dragoljub Velimirović, where White plays Bb3, Be3, Qe2, O-O-O and prepares a kingside attack with Rg1 and g2-g4. This is another system where Black must be precise to survive. -7. a4 is a reputable sideline, stopping ...b7-b5 and aiming to develop with Be3 and Qe2 just like in the Velimirović attack, but usually castles kingside and pushes f2-f4.