I just played an OTB game which I lost as white playing the Lowenthal variation of the Sicilian. I can't remember the whole game but I'll post what I can:
Unfortunately it gets hazy after this. The game continued with me awkwardly attempting to free my queenside pieces (without succeeding) while keeping my king in the centre, allowing my opponent a nice bishop outpost on d3, opening the position while behind in development, and generally getting squeezed to death. It's funny how the cool, calm collection flies out the window when you venture into unknown territory.
Any thoughts are welcome!
Well, another advantage of ...Qf6 is that if White takes, the recapture places Black's king's knight on a better square. On the other hand, if White doesn't take, with ...Qe7 the f6 square is still free for the knight.
The question really is, if everything had gone according to book, where would White have been? Black would have had two pieces developed (albeit a misplaced queen) and White would have had ...none. In fact, after Qd1 it's Black's turn so he gets to develop another piece.
White moves the same piece (knight) three times in the opening, simply in order to take it off the board and end up with zero development. If that is the way this opening is supposed to go, personally I'd pick a different opening.
Originally posted by Schach Attacksilly gm play.
Well, another advantage of ...Qf6 is that if White takes, the recapture places Black's king's knight on a better square. On the other hand, if White doesn't take, with ...Qe7 the f6 square is still free for the knight.
The question really is, if everything had gone according to book, where would White have been? Black would have had two pieces dev ...[text shortened]... f that is the way this opening is supposed to go, personally I'd pick a different opening.
q-c7 is 1a as I remember it
Originally posted by Schach AttackApparently the bishop pair is compensation enough, because despite black's head start in development white is still considered to have the advantage. This is the reason given as to why more people don't play this variation as black.
Well, another advantage of ...Qf6 is that if White takes, the recapture places Black's king's knight on a better square. On the other hand, if White doesn't take, with ...Qe7 the f6 square is still free for the knight.
The question really is, if everything had gone according to book, where would White have been? Black would have had two pieces dev f that is the way this opening is supposed to go, personally I'd pick a different opening.
Originally posted by Schach AttackI play the Lowenthal as Black, although I very rarely seem to get the Open Sicilian played against me. The main line is indeed 7.... Qf6. There are four main moves for White here: 8. Qd1, 8. Qa3, 8. Qd2, and 8. Qc7. Qc7 and Qa3 are a little more aggressive.
Well, another advantage of ...Qf6 is that if White takes, the recapture places Black's king's knight on a better square. On the other hand, if White doesn't take, with ...Qe7 the f6 square is still free for the knight.
The question really is, if everything had gone according to book, where would White have been? Black would have had two pieces dev ...[text shortened]... f that is the way this opening is supposed to go, personally I'd pick a different opening.
While Black does have a little activity at this point, it is difficult for him to arrange to play ....d5 without sacrificing the pawn. He needs to play actively and aggressively to avoid White getting a positional stranglehold. Plans include b5-b4, Nd4, and in some cases d6 and f5 instead of d5. White's setup often includes Nc3, h4, Bg5, o-o-o, and Bc4.
You shouldn't be afraid of the Lowenthal as White - play good positional moves and you will emerge into the middlegame with a solid game.