B47 Sicilian Defence: Taimanov

Code B47 covers the Taimanov Sicilian with 5...Qc7, reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7. Black's queen watches e5, which hinders a white e4-e5 advance, and keeps an eye on the kingside. Black also keeps the choice between ...a6, ...Nf6 and a later ...b5 or ...d6. White's main replies are 6.g3, fianchettoing the bishop to press on the long diagonal and the d5 square, and 6.Be2 followed by short castling, a quieter set-up that keeps options for f4. Black often answers with 6...a6 and 7...Nf6, aiming for queenside expansion and central breaks with ...d5 or ...b5.