I've noticed in my OTB and timed games on other sites that a lot of players as White against the Sicilian are moving Nc3 on the third move i.e. 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 (or Nc6) 3 Nc3. Is their any reason for this? Sometimes it transposes back into main open lines and sometimes they play for a closed line but without a King Side fianchetto (which is typical in many Closed Sicilian lines). Any other Sicilian players seeing this? And if any of you are playing this line as White, what are you sneaky b******s up to?
Originally posted by no1marauderMaybe you have already answered it yourself. This move keeps it open, whether the white player chooses a closed or open line. I have to say, I don't play it. I like 3. d4 straight away.
I've noticed in my OTB and timed games on other sites that a lot of players as White against the Sicilian are moving Nc3 on the third move i.e. 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 (or Nc6) 3 Nc3. Is their any reason for this? Sometimes it transposes back into main open lines and sometimes they play for a closed line but without a King Side fianchetto (which is typical in ...[text shortened]... eing this? And if any of you are playing this line as White, what are you sneaky b******s up to?
Its because of Pete Tamburo with his ICC lectures. I play as a guest on ICC now and then and before his lecture everyone used to play 3.d4 and since then i haven't met one normal sicilian!
Even his ruy lopez exchange lecture. All i see now days is 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0
Can't even find a classical ruy lopez now days 🙁 Even in OTB, i've seen 4 exchanges and not even one classical. Just ticks me off!