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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

The Maróczy bind is a pawn formation in chess, named after Géza Maróczy and primarily played in 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. A Hedgehog is often employed by Black against this setup.

The first stored gamed featuring the Maróczy bind was played in 1904^[1]. Interestingly, Maróczy played against it in that game, but became fascinated by the variation and used it in his own games later on.

[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.
• In the English opening: 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.e4

[edit] References

1. ^ [1]. The first stored Maróczy Bind-game.