Mark Taimanov was a Soviet Grandmaster and world-class concert pianist who ranked among the top twenty players from 1946 to 1971. Awarded the GM title in 1952, he won the USSR Championship in 1956 and twice reached the Candidates stage of the World Championship cycle. Several opening variations, most notably the Taimanov Sicilian, bear his name and remain widely played today.

Associated Openings

As White

E95King's Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 8.Re114 games

A35Symmetrical English: 1.c4 c5 2.Nc3...... Nc614 games

D54Queen's Gambit Declined: 1.d4 d5 2.c4...... 6.Rc110 games

A23Reversed Sicilian: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3...... c67 games

A24Reversed Sicilian: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3...... g63 games

As Black

B44Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation232 games

B45Sicilian Defence: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3...... 5.Nc3181 games

B32Sicilian Defence: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3...... 3.d4165 games

B46Sicilian Defence: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3...... a6157 games

E39Nimzo-Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4...... 6.Nf315 games

B49Sicilian Defence: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3...... 7.Be211 games

Practice Against Our Bots

These AI opponents play the same openings as Mark Taimanov.

Beginner (Under 1000)

4 bots

Intermediate (1000–1499)

5 bots

Advanced (1500–1999)

4 bots

Expert (2000–2499)

3 bots

Master (2500+)

2 bots

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GM Mark Taimanov