06 Feb 09
Right now I am starting a game online and I am black. They opened with e4. I very much wanted to try the Sicilian by responding with c6 (That is right. isn't it?)
But I was afraid to do that because I do not know how to follow through with it. So to be safe (and non adventurous,) I played e5.
What's the best way to learn the Sicilian?
grit
06 Feb 09
Originally posted by grit...or any other opening:
What's the best way to learn the Sicilian?
1) look up the mainline, memorize 5-10 moves.
2) go blitz, get destroyed, look up what you SHOULD've done.
3) rinse & repeat, rinse & repeat, rinse & repeat.
after you start getting some familiarity to the type of positions, transpositions, dangers etc. -start playing slower games and watching how the big boys play it (although that won't teach you much about the early moves, as they'll never try the weaker moves which most of your opponents will try. you'll have to learn how to deal with those weaker moves in practice). reading books about the opening is probably waste of time until you have some familiarity on the typical basic games. you'll just forget everything in days if you don't have a personal context. - also analyse all games afterwards.
another thing I've been trying recently, is watching opening DVDs or video lectures with my own board, and simultaneously making the same moves as in the video. my theory is that it'll all go faster in my muscle memory, and I already know my visual memory is much better than 'regular' abstract memory, but that might work differently for other people... repetition is also a big part of this method.
06 Feb 09
Originally posted by ivan2908I've been using it because I read here that it leads to an even game, what might be simpler to learn then that gives the same opportunity?
Sicilian is tough and full of theory. Sicilian starts with 1. e4 c5 btw...
Would be helpful though I quite like the games I am having even when getting trounced