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Just venting about the Sicilian...

Just venting about the Sicilian...

Only Chess

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Well, over the last six months I decided to experiment with the Sicilian (Kan/Taimanov). I had been playing the Caro and French primarily, and I wanted to see if the Sicilian would give me more counterattacking chances. Well, after four hundred games on Yahoo, I finally got my first open Sicilian! And people weren't playing a lot of closed sicilian/grand prix attack to avoid the open. The two most common moves I faced were 2.Bb4 and 2.e5 (good luck finding this one in a book). So, if I study the Sicilian, i might play it once or twice a year??!! At least with the CK and French I was actually playing those defenses. How high a level do you have to reach before people play the Sicilian? (I was playing against players rated 1200-1600).

Back to the French,
Scott

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Originally posted by smrex13
Well, over the last six months I decided to experiment with the Sicilian (Kan/Taimanov). I had been playing the Caro and French primarily, and I wanted to see if the Sicilian would give me more counterattacking chances. Well, after four hundred games on Yahoo, I finally got my first open Sicilian! And people weren't playing a lot of closed sicilian/grand ...[text shortened]... the Sicilian? (I was playing against players rated 1200-1600).

Back to the French,
Scott
If you play tournament chess live, OTB against USCF 1400+ that is, you won't see any bad moves like Bb4 or e5 as you mentioned.

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Yout opponents figure, "Why should I play into something you know about and I know nothing? I'll play something weird and all that book larnin will go for naught."

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Originally posted by smrex13
Well, after four hundred games on Yahoo...
There's your mistake. DON'T play on yahoo. EVER. Try ICC or FICS but NOT yahoo. Yahoo is full of noobs.

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Originally posted by hypermo2001
If you play tournament chess live, OTB against USCF 1400+ that is, you won't see any bad moves like Bb4 or e5 as you mentioned.
An early Bb5 is a respectable move against the Sicilian, and well covered in opening books. (Rossolimo)

2.Bb4 is an illegal move. I wouldn't play at a site where that is possible.

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Originally posted by Wulebgr
An early Bb5 is a respectable move against the Sicilian, and well covered in opening books. (Rossolimo)

2.Bb4 is an illegal move. I wouldn't play at a site where that is possible.
Yeah I play the Rossolimo. Last time in a tournament I got a nice win with it. It's quite positional.

For those who don't know:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 you can also play Bb5 against d6.

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I think he means Bc4, umm against Bc4, play these moves: e6 first then a6 and b5 you should come out of the opening alright with structures similar to the Kan. Against e5 just play Nc6, followed by Qc7 and a possible g6 fianchetto, with e6 and d5.

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My wife is Sicilian. (nickname: DreamSnatcher)
I have some venting to do also!