Keres Sicilian (2.Ne2)

I'm toying with the idea of taking up 1.e4 as White with the idea of playing the KG if 1...e5, which leaves me with the need to have a response to the Sicilian if 1...c5. I suppose I should consider playing the open Sicilian if (after all) I'm going to play the KG, but for whatever reason (probably vestigial) I want to avoid that.

I've seen some recommendations (e.g., Korch) for 2.c3, but I wonder if that isn't a little slow/passive/drawish. I came across something I hadn't seen before, while looking at a move database, that being 2.Ne2 (the Keres variation). This looks like it might have possibilities, especially insofar as it doesn't block the f-pawn but develops the king's knight early. Are there any Keres players here? What are the objectives of the Keres variation for White? What is the basic character of such a game? Where does it typically go in the middlegame and endgame?

Edit: After 2...Nc6 I'd probably be looking at 3.Nc3 rather than 3.d4.

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Originally posted by Mark Adkins
I'm toying with the idea of taking up 1.e4 as White with the idea of playing the KG if 1...e5, which leaves me with the need to have a response to the Sicilian if 1...c5. I suppose I should consider playing the open Sicilian if (after all) I'm going to play the KG, but for whatever reason (probably vestigial) I want to avoid that.

I've seen some reco e and endgame?

Edit: After 2...Nc6 I'd probably be looking at 3.Nc3 rather than 3.d4.

I was thinking more along these lines:

1. e4 c5 2. Ne2 Nc6 3. Nbc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3



Edit: Yes, I know it's an open game, but not an "open game" in the conventional sense of this term as applied to the Sicilian.

2nd Edit: Or is that merely an artifact of the moves I have selected for Black?

If you play the KG, obviously you have balls, and should hence respond to 1.e4 c5 with the smith morra.

Originally posted by Mark Adkins
I was thinking more along these lines:

1. e4 c5 2. Ne2 Nc6 3. Nbc3 g6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O 8. Bb3

[fen]r1bq1rk1/pp1pppbp/2n2np1/8/3NP3/1BN1B3/PPP2PPP/R2QK2R b KQ[/fen]

Edit: Yes, I know it's an open game, but not an "open game" in the conventional sense of this term as applied to the Sicilian.

2nd Edit: Or is that merely an artifact of the moves I have selected for Black?

Originally posted by kponds
If you play the KG, obviously you have balls, and should hence respond to 1.e4 c5 with the smith morra.

Something is wrong and I am unable to post properly. Be right back...

It appears that I can't put two FEN diagrams into a single message.

Originally posted by najdorfslayer
This is a standard position in the Accelerated Dragon.

What do you play after 3...Nf6 4.d4?

Here you are allowing many Open Sicilian Variations, Classical, Sveshnikov etc.

Originally posted by najdorfslayer
This is a standard position in the Accelerated Dragon.

What do you play after 3...Nf6 4.d4?

Here you are allowing many Open Sicilian Variations, Classical, Sveshnikov etc.

Originally posted by Mark Adkins
I'm toying with the idea of taking up 1.e4 as White...need to have a response to the Sicilian if 1...c5...I want to avoid [the Open Sicilian]...it doesn't block the f-pawn but develops the king's knight early...

Originally posted by kponds
If you play the KG, obviously you have balls, and should hence respond to 1.e4 c5 with the smith morra.

Originally posted by wittywonka
Well, if you're looking for an alternative to the Open Sicilian, and you like moving out your f-pawn early, why not look into the Grand Prix attack, whith a set-up something like 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 :

[fen]r1bqkbnr/pp1ppppp/2n5/2p5/4PP2/2N5/PPPP2PP/R1BQKBNR[/fen]

White will usually follow up with moves like Nf3, Bb5, O-O, e3, and launches a kingside attack.

Originally posted by Mark Adkins
At a guess, after 3...Nf6 the game might go 4.g3 g6 5.d4 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bg7 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8.Bg2

[fen]r1bqk2r/p2pppbp/2p2np1/8/4P3/2N3P1/PPP2PBP/R1BQK2R b KQkq[/fen]