Sicilian Taimanov – Elite Repertoire for White + PGN February 21, 2026

The Taimanov Sicilian has long been considered one of Black’s most sophisticated defensive systems—flexible enough to adapt to White’s setup, solid enough to withstand direct attacks. World champions and super-GMs have trusted it for decades precisely because it doesn’t commit too early. But what if White could force commitment? What if a single move could eliminate Black’s most natural developing square and create immediate concrete problems?
GM Jose Martinez Alcantara and IM Dragos Ceres answer this question with 7.g4—a bold, space-grabbing approach that transforms the entire character of the position. This isn’t speculative aggression; it’s a modern refinement of classical attacking ideas, backed by deep concrete preparation and recent elite-level practice. By practically ruling out …Nf6, White forces Black into uncomfortable territory where every alternative setup carries specific structural or tactical drawbacks. The authors build on their successful collaboration from Najdorf for White – Top-Level Repertoire, extending their aggressive vision across the entire Sicilian landscape.