I have a very poor opening knowledge, in fact, I dont even use database cause when I do so I reach positions I'm not familiar with but my oponent is (I guess). So I just try to play them on my own and I have naturally developed this variation that I am very satisfied with the results. I know it's no big deal and probably a weak strategy, but I would like to know what do you guys think of it (and if it already exists).
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
The whole thing is I just try to block the c5 pawn, and I think all sicilian variations are based on capturing that pawn, blocking the c5 pawn I can have more activity for my bishops (usually my next move is d3) and black usually have one or both bishops blocked that take some time to activate.
- Joined
- 21 Apr 06
- Moves
- 4211
Originally posted by monteirofThe idea of main line sicilians (with d4) is for white to get a good initiative going in the opening/middlegame. Black tends to get better end games.
I have a very poor opening knowledge, in fact, I dont even use database cause when I do so I reach positions I'm not familiar with but my oponent is (I guess). So I just try to play them on my own and I have naturally developed this variation that I am very satisfied with the results. I know it's no big deal and probably a weak strategy, but I would like t ...[text shortened]... ove is d3) and black usually have one or both bishops blocked that take some time to activate.
I dont think you idea is bad but it will probably said that black can equalize without much trouble since you're not really putting them under much pressure with Bc4 and d3.
Originally posted by monteirofI'm not sure why you are worried about blocking the c pawn on move three. It's not going anywhere. By placing your bishop on c4 so early, you are inviting Black to play e6 and d5, expanding with tempo. Bc4 is ok vs. d6 sicilians, but it's not particularly effective vs. Nc6 or e6 sicilians. You would be better off playing your bishop to b5 (the Rossolimo). If you check a database, you'll see the difference:
I have a very poor opening knowledge, in fact, I dont even use database cause when I do so I reach positions I'm not familiar with but my oponent is (I guess). So I just try to play them on my own and I have naturally developed this variation that I am very satisfied with the results. I know it's no big deal and probably a weak strategy, but I would like t ...[text shortened]... ove is d3) and black usually have one or both bishops blocked that take some time to activate.
3.Bc4 (White wins 24%, Black wins 55%!)
3.Bb5 (White wins 40%, Black wins 26% )
Obviously, statistics don't mean everything, but the above numbers are pretty convincing.
Scott
Originally posted by smrex13I agree 3.Bc4 is okay against 2...d6 systems but hardly anything to worry about after 2...Nc6 (black can play ...d5 in one move).
I'm not sure why you are worried about blocking the c pawn on move three. It's not going anywhere. By placing your bishop on c4 so early, you are inviting Black to play e6 and d5, expanding with tempo. Bc4 is ok vs. d6 sicilians, but it's not particularly effective vs. Nc6 or e6 sicilians. You would be better off playing your bishop to b5 (the Rossolimo) ...[text shortened]... ly, statistics don't mean everything, but the above numbers are pretty convincing.
Scott
Your strategy seems all wrong however.
Find a system against the Sicilian with some concrete plans then you are making your moves with an idea in mind.
If you want to aviod theory 2.Nf3 with 3.Bb5 is okay as is 2.c3. Both are satisfactory (Sorry I simply cannot bring myself to say they are good) moves with simple ideas behind them.
Ok thanks. I'm convinced Bc4 is not a good third move. But I guess sometimes, specially in correspondence chess, it's good to play moves out of opening book, if you're not familiar with most openings like me. Even so if it's a weak move, a not so strong player may not know how to punish it and you can force him to make decisions that he's not used to make. But a strong player will probably know how to take advantage of this weak move.
- Joined
- 21 Apr 06
- Moves
- 4211
To be honest id say if you wanted to improve try the main line moves more than you try off beat ideas. For a long time I tried some dubious openings and although they served me well(ish) I did end up changing them all and then wishing id just gone with mainlines in the first place 🙂