1.e4 c5

Is

2. b3!?

good for white, or merely inconvenient for black?

In general it is good for black.

2. .. d6 3. Bb2 Nf6

And in my opinion the position of black is better than white.

That would be a newbies response. The main Sicilians, the Grand Prix Attack or even the Alapin Variation are mainly played.

Originally posted by z00t
That would be a newbies response. The main Sicilians, the Grand Prix Attack or even the Alapin Variation are mainly played.

The Sicilian Defense is not good. I hate it. 😠

Originally posted by Mathurine
Is

[b]2. b3!?

good for white, or merely inconvenient for black?[/b]

Originally posted by Mathurine
Is

[b]2. b3!?

good for white, or merely inconvenient for black?[/b]

Although 2 b3 is very likely not the "best" response (whatever that means), since it aids in the development of a piece without creating a positional weakness, then it is certainly quite playable.

IMO, whenever you avoid the main line Sicilian, Black gets at least an equal game. In fact, in the Najdorf, I'm not even sure White has a lasting advantage in the main line. On the other hand, there are so many possible responses from White that I can't be confident in such a claim.

2.b3 is totally playable, but not very forcing, so I don't see a reason for black to fear it in the least. It can have the effect of annoying a player who has pet sicilian lines though.

Originally posted by wargamer66
2.b3 is totally playable, but not very forcing, so I don't see a reason for black to fear it in the least. It can have the effect of annoying a player who has pet sicilian lines though.

I heard that is called the Snyder Variation. Robert Snyder, the NM who popularized enough for it to be named after him, claims its playable. he wrote a book on it I think.

Originally posted by chesskid001
I heard that is called the Snyder Variation. Robert Snyder, the NM who popularized enough for it to be named after him, claims its playable. he wrote a book on it I think.