I have been trying to learn the Open Sicilian lately.
Before that, this was one system that I used.
It looks like a regular Grand Prix Attack.
The usual moves on move 5 are Bb5 (Nd4!) and Bc4 (e6!).
The idea of the modest 5.Be2 is to play a Classical Dutch Defense with colors reversed.
It is also a Bird's Opening (vs Sicilian Setup).
In these openings, white/black plays e3/e6 before pushing the e-pawn two squares. White has saved a tempo.
The possibilities for a kingside attack exist and the position is imbalanced enough to not be a draw.
I'd say the chances are about even, but white could get very familiar with the setup and have a slight (preparation/experience) advantage.
Your Thoughts???
funny: the last days I've been doing sort of the opposite, and studying anti-sicilians. and as I went through closed sicilian lines, my exact thought seeing a similar position was "hmm, that looks like a dutch reversed, which I'd be very happy to play as white, can this really be any good for black?" 🙂
Originally posted by wormwoodI think you are right, with the added bonus that the d-pawn is on d6 and not d5. Maybe black should play 3. ... e6, or try to get e5 in before committing the knight to f6.
funny: the last days I've been doing sort of the opposite, and studying anti-sicilians. and as I went through closed sicilian lines, my exact thought seeing a similar position was "hmm, that looks like a dutch reversed, which I'd be very happy to play as white, can this really be any good for black?" 🙂
Originally posted by paulbuchmanfromficsI don't like a KID/ Dragon like setup for the Sicilian Black but this is just a matter of taste;
[pgn]1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 d6 6.0-0 Nf6 7.d3 0-0 8.Qe1[/pgn]
I have been trying to learn the Open Sicilian lately.
Before that, this was one system that I used.
It looks like a regular Grand Prix Attack.
The usual moves on move 5 are Bb5 (Nd4!) and Bc4 (e6!).
The idea of the modest 5.Be2 is to play a Classical Dutch Def ...[text shortened]... iliar with the setup and have a slight (preparation/experience) advantage.
Your Thoughts???
So I would keep my options open with 3. ...e6 and 4. ...d6 with the fine feeling that
Black is OK😵
g6 is the suggested system vs the Grand Prix (Beating Anti-Sicilian, Winning With The Sicilian By Silman, etc.).
5. ... e6 in the above line may be met by simply 6.0-0 or 6.e5 !? .
I've seen the e5 move in similar positions.
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 e6 4.Nf3 can go in many directions.
Perhaps in this variation, Bb5 would not be so bad (converting to traditional Grand Prix Attack).
1.e4 c5 2.f4 is another way to play against the Sicilian.
1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 ! (White's most dreaded system.)
3.Bb5+ was given by IM Lawrence Day on a post at Chessgames.com.
He said white still has a slight edge. It does in fact seem to be a novelty.
3.Nc3 is equal but gets dull.
3.Nf3 is a crazy attempt at a Budapest Reversed. Sometimes you miss the option of f2-f3 though. I've played 3.Nf3 dxe4 4.Ne5 in blitz before with pretty good results.
I think 3.Bb5+ deserves further exploration.
1.e4 c5 2.f4 without d5 leaves some interesting options open.
Sometimes white gets in c4 (with or without a trade of the light squared bishop). Larsen had some very interesting games with 2.f4.
There is a nice discussion (small but great) of it in How To Open A Chess Game.
Originally posted by paulbuchmanfromficsI usually do something like Nh4 with f5 sac (maybe f5 first so black can't get e6 in to stop it) in the typical leningrad way, so the queen seems a bit in the way. although without g3 the king gets it the way of the rooks.
Perhaps Qh4 is premature and h3/g4 can be played a little sooner.
As for Nd4 maneuvers by black, most of the time white just slips in Bd1.
or simply storm both g & h pawns ahead of the pieces if the centre looks obstructed enough.