I don't play it as black, and dislike playing against it as white, because there is so much opening theory behind it. I've mostly studied the najdorf variation, as my chess coach uses it a lot, but most people who play it against me in tournaments use 2...N-c6 which throws me off. Is there a way for white to try to shift play to another defense? And, what lines do you use against 2...N-c6 and 3...e5?
Simply, write "Sicilian defense" in Google and find the general title of the same, and you will have every kind of variations known, plus the Najdorf...a favorite of Bobby Fischer and his poison pawn...
Scroll to the third set and use that [under Wikipedia]...and look at all of them...as white, my favorite against one who prefers Sicilian, is the Sicilian attack...that is, open with a pawn to queen bishop four...it is really easy now to get all your knowledge from Google...chess masters provided every type of openings and the variations online free of charge. You should raise your game to the 1400's easily.
Originally posted by Lord Of PieYou should be learning tactics & not making simple errors.
I don't play it as black, and dislike playing against it as white, because there is so much opening theory behind it. I've mostly studied the najdorf variation, as my chess coach uses it a lot, but most people who play it against me in tournaments use 2...N-c6 which throws me off. Is there a way for white to try to shift play to another defense? And, what lines do you use against 2...N-c6 and 3...e5?
Why not try the Morra gambit 1.e4...c5 2.d4...cxd4 3.c3...dxc3 4.Nxc3 in reply to the Sicilian?
Most likely the people you play won't be able to make the gambit pawn count, so you get a great attacking position essentially for free. You also stop them from playing positions that they are familiar with.
As white you can develop reasonably routinely via moves such as Nf3/Bc4/0-0/Qe2/Rd1/Bf4 (or Be3 or sometimes Bg5)/Rac1 & also have fun playing at the same time.
Have a look at gamesexplorer & you'll see how carefully black has to play to avoid losing quickly against the Morra gambit.
Thank you for the replies, I am going to check out the Morra gambit, it sounds interesting and I do love a good gambit. Also is it just me or does the move squence for white resembel the Danish gambit. or more specifically the half-danish? If that is true what about returning another pawn to get the raking bishop pair by playing B-c4? Upon reflection on that thought I realize that the main difference is black trading the c-pawn instead of the e-pawn which makes a world of difference because the common continuation, Q-f3 loses what power it had because of e6 and perhaps d5 allowing black to develop towards the center while regaining some tempo. Anyway, thanks again.
Originally posted by Fat LadyI play that every now and again as well - but I get very bored if I play it too often!
I play the Closed. Sicilian players all hate to play against it. You don't need to learn much, just read one book and search for games on playchess.com if you are unsure about what to do about any of Black's tries.
Originally posted by Lord Of PieIf your objective is to avoid learning the reams of Sicilian theory, there are several anti-Sicilian systems that have good reputations.
I don't play it as black, and dislike playing against it as white, because there is so much opening theory behind it. I've mostly studied the najdorf variation, as my chess coach uses it a lot, but most people who play it against me in tournaments use 2...N-c6 which throws me off. Is there a way for white to try to shift play to another defense? And, what lines do you use against 2...N-c6 and 3...e5?
a) The Closed Sicilian 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 followed by 3. g3
b) The Gran Prix attack 1. e4 c5 2. f4 or 2. Nc3 followed by 3. f4
c) The c3 Sicilian 1. e4 c5 2. c3
d) Lines with an early Bb5 (has various names: Rossolimo, Winawer, etc.) e.g. 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ or 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. The down side of this line is that you may need a different variation if Black plays 2 ... e6.
As someone mentioned earlier, there is also the Smith-Morra gambit, but keep mind that variations where Black declines transpose to the c3 Sicilian, which means more lines to learn. There are quite a few other ideas which White can try which have varying levels of reputations e.g. King's Indian Attack, Wing Gambit (early b4), Snyder Sicilian (early b3), etc.
Note that there is a fair amount of theory even in these sidelines, but certainly much less than all the theory in the open Sicilian variations. Hope this helps.
Yes, Closed, Grand Prix, Rossolimo, Smith-Morra, Alapin, something like that. There's also unusual open sicilians like the Chekhover.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defense#White.27s_second_move_alternatives
Type 'anti-Sicilian' in google.
Or play 1.d4
Just don't play 2.Bc4, haha.
But you need to learn theory to fight for an opening advantage, in any line. If you want to be 'lazy' accept your disadvantage.
Or play chess960.
Originally posted by Squelchbelchagreed, its the only thing that makes play the sicilian fun 🙂
You should be learning tactics & not making simple errors.
Why not try the Morra gambit 1.e4...c5 2.d4...cxd4 3.c3...dxc3 4.Nxc3 in reply to the Sicilian?
Most likely the people you play won't be able to make the gambit pawn count, so you get a great attacking position essentially for free. You also stop them from playing positions that they are fami ...[text shortened]... & you'll see how carefully black has to play to avoid losing quickly against the Morra gambit.
some huge upsets, due to one mistake and youre dead..
Originally posted by Prometheus4096About 20 years ago I developed the perfect approach for tackling the Sicilian ... glad you recommended it too 🙂
Yes, Closed, Grand Prix, Rossolimo, Smith-Morra, Alapin, something like that. There's also unusual open sicilians like the Chekhover.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defense#White.27s_second_move_alternatives
Type 'anti-Sicilian' in google.
Or play 1.d4
Just don't play 2.Bc4, haha.
But you need to learn theory to fight for an open ...[text shortened]... ntage, in any line. If you want to be 'lazy' accept your disadvantage.
Or play chess960.
Originally posted by RamnedIs that a book move or a Ramned move?
Against the dragon (kingside fianchetto) this works best for me. I usually gain center control and stop counterattack.
1 e4 c5
2 Nf3 d6
3 d4 cd
4 Nxd4 Nc6
5 c4
Followed by possibly f3 (Maroczy Bind)
f4 - f5 kingside attack
5.c4 e5 6.Nb3 Nxe4 7.Bd3 Nf6 and black has a good share of the center, is not behind much in development and has an extra pawn.
5.c4 e5 6.Nb3 Nxe4 7.Bd3 Nc5 and again black has a good position plus an extra pawn.
there are more lines to analyze mainly Qf3 or Qc2 on move 7 in both lines plus 5...Nxe4 would also need to be looked at, but in general I don't think that 5.c4 is very good at all.