2. c3

another anti-Sicilian thread
a friend of mine rated 1400 USCF played this a lot against me in the past with success...
so, what do you guys think?
is it worth learning as another way to avoid open-sicilian games?

I'm currently trying the Smith Morra. I have no clue what to do against the silly defense. I try playing it, and most people play 2. c4 against me.

I assume you mean.

1. e4 c5
2. c3

In which case Black has a good game after

2...Nf6

Or my choice

2...d5.

Originally posted by Diet Coke
I assume you mean.

1. e4 c5
2. c3

In which case Black has a good game after

2...Nf6

Or my choice

2...d5.

1. e4 c5
2. c3 Nf6
3. e5 Nd5
4. d4 cxd4
5. cxd4 Nc6
6. Nf3 with a hoild on center, but weak d4 pawn for white...
also, the d5 knight is unopposed in the center...
i know all the disadvantages weighing against the Alapin, i just want to know if it is entirely worthless, not worth studying, what's it score on computers?
that kind of stuff....

5 More usual for black is d6

Originally posted by Diet Coke
5 More usual for black is d6

ok then, so answer the question...
does black have a distinct advantage, or is it very playable for white....?

Originally posted by rubberjaw30
1. e4 c5
2. c3 Nf6
3. e5 Nd5
4. d4 cxd4
5. cxd4 Nc6
6. Nf3 with a hoild on center, but weak d4 pawn for white...
also, the d5 knight is unopposed in the center...
i know all the disadvantages weighing against the Alapin, i just want to know if it is entirely worthless, not worth studying, what's it score on computers?
that kind of stuff....

Hm, I think if you're looking to see how it scores based on percentages it's somewhere around 50-52% for white. It's quite playable, and is by no means a waste of time to study. Of course, it's also less active than the Open.

Originally posted by rubberjaw30
ok then, so answer the question...
does black have a distinct advantage, or is it very playable for white....?

I don't think I'm qualified to dismiss an entire line.

After all g4 is playable for white.

So yes, it's playable for white.

However it's not as good as Nf3 d4 etc.

Originally posted by cmsMaster
Hm, I think if you're looking to see how it scores based on percentages it's somewhere around 50-52% for white. It's quite playable, and is by no means a waste of time to study. Of course, it's also less active than the Open.

thanks, that's the answer type i was looking for...

Originally posted by cmsMaster
Hm, I think if you're looking to see how it scores based on percentages it's somewhere around 50-52% for white. It's quite playable, and is by no means a waste of time to study. Of course, it's also less active than the Open.

My Database has White 25.4% Draw 37.3% Black 37.3% for 5..d6.

Only off a 185 games though.

Maybe your's is bigger.😉

Originally posted by Diet Coke
My Database has White 25.4% Draw 37.3% Black 37.3% for 5..d6.

Only off a 185 games though.

Maybe your's is bigger.😉

Mine is given in a book on the Sicilian, it's probably from Mega DB or something on that level...

I still think the Open Sicilian is what white should play - and if he refuses than the Rossolimo/Moscow seems ok too - although I've never seen these often.

Is that.

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 d6
etc

Originally posted by cmsMaster
Mine is given in a book on the Sicilian, it's probably from Mega DB or something on that level...

I still think the Open Sicilian is what white should play - and if he refuses than the Rossolimo/Moscow seems ok too - although I've never seen these often.

yes, i used to play Sicilian as black, before i switched to Caro-Kann
and i saw the Rossolimo, and liked it for white...
so if/when i ever start playing open Sicilian games, i'll probably go to the Rossolimo or Dragon if i know my opponent will play it instead of Najdorf...

Originally posted by rubberjaw30
yes, i used to play Sicilian as black, before i switched to Caro-Kann
and i saw the Rossolimo, and liked it for white...
so if/when i ever start playing open Sicilian games, i'll probably go to the Rossolimo or Dragon if i know my opponent will play it instead of Najdorf...

Dragon is from the black side.

Originally posted by cmsMaster
Dragon is from the black side.

i know that, i just meant that i would only play through the main line:
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3
if i knew my opponent favored the Dragon Variation...
i don't want to have to learn Najdorf for a LOOOOOOOONG time