Poisoned Pawn Variation
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- This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
The Poisoned Pawn line is a sub-variation of the Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation. It is characterised by the line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 after which 8. Qd2 Qxb2 usually follows, accepting the 'poisoned' b2 pawn.
The line was famously played in games 7 and 11 of the 1972 World Chess Championship Match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky in Reykjavík. In each of these two games Fischer played black and grabbed the pawn. In the first he reached a secure position with a comfortable material advantage but only secured a draw. In the second Spassky played with greater accuracy than in the earlier game and forced a win by threatening to trap Fischer's queen.
A "poisoned pawn" variation also exists in the French Defence Winawer:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 7. Qg4 Qc7 8. Qxg7 Rg8 9. Qxh7 cxd4 10. Ne2 Nbc6 (or 10. Kd1 Nd7 etc). Like the poisoned pawn variation in the Sicilian Najdorf, this line gives significant weaknesses for both sides and can lead to highly complex lines. White can attack on the King's side and try to exploit the passed h pawn, while Black destroys the centre.
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