Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...e6/3. d4/3...cxd4/4. Nxd4/4...Nc6

=Sicilian - Taimanov= This is the initial position at the start of the Taimanov or Taimanov system, developed by Russian GM Mark Taimanov. It can be thought of as a mirror to the position leading to most variations such as the Dragon, with the c6 knight developed rather than the f6 one and the e6 pawn developed rather than the d6 one.

White responding with 5. Nxc6 is a mistake, as it gives black immediate equality after 5... bxc6 6. Nc3 d5. Otherwise, black will most likely follow up with a6 and Qc7, with other moves depending on White's setup, which most often involves either Qf3-g3, Be3 and Qd2, a Maroczy Bind, or Nc3 and Bb5. Black's main idea of a6 and b5, however, is a constant in many of these variations.

Theory table
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6