Rossolimo Rampage: An Idea-Based Answer to 2…Nc6

Krastev opens with honesty: “I’m not a … 2700 super well-known GM, not an influencer either,” and says the Rossolimo was once one of his most hated openings — his coach handed him the files, he played it, and he lost. Understanding the plans is what turned it into his favourite weapon, and that journey is what Rossolimo Rampage is built to shortcut. He aimed to make it accessible for players from about 1200 to 2600, which explains the beginners’ quickstarter next to deep main-line chapters.

The introduction replays the game that pushed him to make the course: a 2023 GM round-robin in Oer-Erkenschwick where, against an experienced grandmaster, he was out of book by move 8 yet won quickly by remembering the a3–b4 queenside plan from his study. His argument is that the Rossolimo was “considered to be a childish opening” for years and only recently got the respect it deserves — so a well-prepared player can still outplay stronger opponents straight out of the opening. More White repertoires are in our chess courses list.

Plans You Take From the Course

3…g6 with …dxc6: the Caruana–Carlsen main line

Krastev calls this “probably the most important video” of the course. After 3…g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 you reach the position Caruana tested twice against Carlsen in the 2018 World Championship match — the moment he says began “the Rossolimo era.” The lesson covers both black setups and the recurring White ideas: the a4–a5 lever, a3 and b4 to soften the queenside, and knight routes such as Nc4–a5 that tie Black to the weak c6-pawn. His rule of thumb against …a5: Black “won’t be able to prevent us from playing b4 forever.”

3…g6 with …bxc6: Re1 first, then c3 or c4

After 4…bxc6 White castles and plays Re1 before committing the c-pawn. Two chapters explain why: if the knight goes to f6, e4–e5 hits it; if it goes to h6, c3 and d4 come at once; and with the rook already on e1, c4 can be played in one move when a knight lands on d5. The modern …Qc7 setup and the slow …e5 plan (met by an immediate c3 and d4) are covered too.

3…e6: Bxc6, d3, Nbd2 — and h4 when the knight hits g6

Four chapters (4h 35m) handle 3…e6. The main recommendation is to take on c6, play d3 and develop with Nbd2, a rarer choice than the immediate h4. The point is to keep control of e5: if Black plays …d6 too early, White answers with e4–e5 himself, and if the knight comes to g6, h4–h5 harasses it. Black’s ideal structure with pawns on e5, d6, c6 and c5 is what White must prevent. A separate chapter offers 5.b3 with Bb2 as a lower-theory surprise weapon — “it contains a lot of traps,” Krastev says.

The rest: 3…Nf6, 3…d6, 3…e5 and the “stuff”

3…Nf6 gets its own chapter because Caruana himself chose it as Black against Praggnanandhaa at the 2024 Candidates. The 3…d6 chapter notes that the same position arises from the Moscow Variation after 2…d6 3.Bb5+ Nc6, so Moscow players get a bonus — see Papaioannou’s 2…d6 3.Bb5 repertoire for the rest of that system. Krastev rates the rare 3…e5 as fully playable (he has used it himself) and chooses a practical way to fight it, while the final “3…stuff” chapter promises you will be “popping a champagne” whenever an opponent tries 3…a6, …Na5 or …Nd4.

The “Understanding the Rossolimo” chapter is the heart of the course: structures first (why …d6 is met by e5, why b3 and Bb2 fight for the e5-square), then model games — including a Caruana game in which White was crushing after 19 moves and an instructive kingside attack where the lesson is to ask “which pieces remain on the board” before keeping a strong bishop. If you also want a Black-side view, Nightmare of Rossolimo shows how Black fights these structures.

Rossolimo Rampage: Course Index

Who Rossolimo Rampage Is For

• 1.e4 players tired of Open Sicilian theory who want a strategic answer to 2…Nc6 that keeps winning chances.
• Newcomers to the Rossolimo — the beginners’ quickstarter says one move, 3…g6, is enough to start playing.
• Experienced players and titled players who want a deeper understanding of the plans; Krastev suggests even they watch the concept chapter “on double speed.”
• Moscow Variation players who get one of the key 3.Bb5+ Nc6 positions covered for free.

It does not cover 2…d6 or 2…e6 Sicilians, and Krastev himself notes the course “is not an entire repertoire.” If you want a structured 2…d6 plan too, combine it with Papaioannou’s Play the Rossolimo.

Rossolimo Rampage FAQ

Which line against 3…g6 does the course use?

White takes on c6 at once. Against …dxc6 the main line is 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3; against …bxc6 White castles and plays Re1 before choosing c3 or c4.

I’m new to the Rossolimo — where do I start?

Watch the beginners’ quickstarter, then “Understanding the Rossolimo.” Krastev recommends that chapter for everyone because it gives you a plan when you leave your preparation.

What files are in the download, and how does delivery work?

17 MP4 videos, about 3.04 GB in total. Digital files. Crypto payment only. Fast delivery is handled manually after payment confirmation. Download links remain available for 7 days; save your files locally.