Hi all. I have decided to start playing the sicilian instead of replying 1.e4 with the symmetrical 1. ...e5, but I'm really lost as to where I should start. I liked e5 because there isn't THAT many variations to study. For example, after 1.e4 e5, besides Nf3, white can also play Bc4, Nc3, f4, d4, but really, they're all related one way or the other and I'm quite comfortable playing e5 with black, but I would prefer to have a more active game.
In the Sicilian, there are so many variations that I don't know what I should me looking at first or even what I should be playing! So... I am lost. Help.
Originally posted by DfthdStart playing it. You'll pick it up after a few hundred losses.
Hi all. I have decided to start playing the sicilian instead of replying 1.e4 with the symmetrical 1. ...e5, but I'm really lost as to where I should start. I liked e5 because there isn't THAT many variations to study. For example, after 1.e4 e5, besides Nf3, white can also play Bc4, Nc3, f4, d4, but really, they're all related one way or the other and I'm ...[text shortened]... know what I should me looking at first or even what I should be playing! So... I am lost. Help.
That's how I got started.
But that's not the most time effective method.
Let's look at the major variations.
After: 1. e4 c5 white can play c3, Nc3, Nf3, d4 and f4.
c3 is the Alapin and I have little experience facing it as it seems to be quite rare at this level. Black has a wide range of responses possible. Pick one that seems to give positions you are comfortable in.
Nc3 is the Closed Sicilian. I have encountered this more often than the Alapin. Again Black has lots of choices. White can play g3 quite soon in some lines.
Nf3 is the Open Sicilian. I play d6 and the Dragon so outside of that area I can't give much advice. Someone will though.
The last two are the anti-sicilians. Against d4 accept the pawn and play as normal. Watch if white gets too big a lead in development. Against f4 well you're on your own.
Also eliminate as much theory as you can. Learn one response as black at a time (eg. don't learn the Dragon and the Nadjorf, pick one).
Originally posted by XanthosNZThanks, but I was thinking more along the lines of the ideas behind the opening, and what variations I should start playing first (ie. which variations is easiest for n00bs to understand and study). For example, in the Ruy, the entire opening is centered around white's pressure on black's e5 pawn, this makes it relatively easy to understand, but what about in the Sicilian?
Start playing it. You'll pick it up after a few hundred losses.
That's how I got started.
But that's not the most time effective method.
Let's look at the major variations.
After: 1. e4 c5 white can play c3, Nc3, Nf3, d4 and f4.
c3 is the Alapin and I have little experience facing it as it seems to be quite rare at this level. Black has a ...[text shortened]... arn one response as black at a time (eg. don't learn the Dragon and the Nadjorf, pick one).
Originally posted by DfthdStart with the scheveningen variation. It's solid enough and incorporates the basic themes (like attack along the c file targeting c3 and c2, along with pressure on e4). Hey, Kasparov liked it.
Thanks, but I was thinking more along the lines of the ideas behind the opening, and what variations I should start playing first (ie. which variations is easiest for n00bs to understand and study). For example, in the Ruy, the entire opening is centered around white's pressure on black's e5 pawn, this makes it relatively easy to understand, but what about in the Sicilian?
Variations like the Najdorf, Pelikan or Sveshnikov are more difficult for beginners because of an early e5 (more agressive in the center thus inhibiting white's f4, e5 or f5 intentions), but leaving a hole on d5. In those cases black has to know how to maneuver to free himself with a d5 push, or attack with an f5 push in some cases.
I'd suggest looking in a database when you move. Very soon, you'll start to learn the common moves of the sicilian, and will be able to play without the database.
Common moves and ideas for black in order of how they usually appear in a game.
1. 2. In preparation for d4, like after e4 c5 Nf3 you can play d6, e6, or Nc6.
2.White almost always will play d4 at some point (if not, the below rules don't apply). After d4, cxd4 always follows with very few exceptions.
3. Once the knight recaptures, the most common moves are a6, Nf6, Nc6, and g6. a6 is very common because it prevents Nb5 causing some trouble, and preventing the queen from getting to c7 where you want it. If you want to play it safe, an early a6 is the way to go. g6 is the dragon, and is more dangerous. Nf6 is the most common, and is often followed by Nc3, and then the safe a6 (Najdorf). I don't know much about Nc6.
4. Black will usually play Qc7 relatively early as it takes advantage of the open c file, and controls the center
5. A classical sicilian has black playing either e6 or d6 (depending on which wasn't played earlier). More aggresive systems kick the knight with and early e5.
6. If not played earlier, black should develop his queen's knight to c6 or d7
7. Black almost always (with the exception of the dragon) will play Be7
8. Black should develop the queen's bishop to d7(if possible) or b7(if possible)
8. Black castles kingside and plays Rac8 to exert even more control over the c file.
These are just general ideas that you should learn in playing the sicilian. Once you've played it a little while, you can pick a system that you like. I play the Sicilian Paulsen e4 c5 Nf3 e6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 a6 followed eventually by b5, Qc7, Bb7, Nf6, Nd7, d6, Be7, 0-0, Rac8, Rfd8. My plan is to bring my knight to occupy the c4 square.
Originally posted by DfthdIn the Sicilian, black wants to exchange the c-pawn for white's d-pawn. In doing so, white gains space, while black gains a center pawn majority. Black frequently seeks play along the half-open c-file.
Thanks, but I was thinking more along the lines of the ideas behind the opening, and what variations I should start playing first (ie. which variations is easiest for n00bs to understand and study). For example, in the Ruy, the entire opening is centered around white's pressure on black's e5 pawn, this makes it relatively easy to understand, but what about in the Sicilian?
Of course, there are many variations with other ideas, and many anti-Sicilian systems.
The Scheveningen is a good variation to look at in terms of black's small center. I started playing the Sicialian in the late 1970s, played it almost exclusively for more than two decades, and still have a minimal grasp of certain complex positions in a couple of popular variations. Still, I believe any study devoted to the Sicilian will reward you. Just don't think that you'll ever outbook your opponents. Someone's always better prepared. I was hit with a novelty against the Keres Attack about move 19 in a correspondence game about four years ago. By move 26, I was sunk, and I had white.