Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Bastrikov Variation, Ponomariov Gambit is a chess opening classified under ECO code B47 in the Semi-Open Games family, where Black responds to 1.e4 with something other than 1...e5, including the Sicilian Defense, Caro-Kann, and Pirc. It is reached after 8 moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Ndb5 Qb8 7. Be3 a6 8. Bb6. The resulting position leaves black to move.