Maróczy Bind

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 pd e7 pd f7 pd g7 h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 nd d6 e6 f6 g6 pd h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 pl d4 nl e4 pl f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
A typical Maróczy Bind position, arising from the Accelerated Dragon

The Maróczy Bind is a pawn formation in chess, named after Géza Maróczy and primarily, but not exclusively, played against the Sicilian Defence. It is characterized by white pawns on c4 and e4, with the d-pawn having been exchanged for Black's c-pawn. White maximally uses having one more pawn than Black that is able to control the important d5 square, and Black must often settle for playing d6 instead of d5.

The first game known to feature the Maróczy Bind was played in Swiderski-Maróczy, Monte Carlo 1904. Interestingly, Maróczy played against it in that game but became fascinated by the variation and used it in his own games later on.

A Hedgehog is often employed by Black against the Bind.

[edit] Common opening lines

Common opening lines that reach a Maróczy Bind position include:

  • The Accelerated Dragon variation of the Sicilian Defence: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 - the position shown in the diagram.
  • The Taimanov Variation of the Sicilian: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nb5 d6 6.c4.
  • The Kan Variation of the Sicilian: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.c4.
  • The Petrosian Variation of the Queen's Indian Defence: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3 Ba6 5.Qc2 Bb7 6.Nc3 c5 7. e4 cxd4 8. Nxd4.
  • The Moscow variation of the Sicilian: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7 Qxd7 5. c4 followed with d4.
  • The English Opening: 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.e4
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