In your opinion, which variation of the Sicilian Defence is the best to learn, in terms of theory, resilience and dynamism?
I am thinking of adopting the Sicilian for a while but I do not know which one to choose. This is part of my attempt to play more tactically as Black as my tactical play is weak.
Thanks for your input.
Originally posted by Positional PlayerThe Najdorf would probably be considered the most versatile and resilient, though the sicilian is not the opening of choice if you're looking for resilience.
In your opinion, which variation of the Sicilian Defence is the best to learn, in terms of theory, resilience and dynamism?
I am thinking of adopting the Sicilian for a while but I do not know which one to choose. This is part of my attempt to play more tactically as Black as my tactical play is weak.
Thanks for your input.
If you're looking for tactics (and a pretty short game in terms of moves), the dragon might be a good idea.
I would avoid the dragon because I can't stand facing the yugoslav attack (and face it you will). The schivishikov would be my choice though I initially learned a schevinegan. I have even played a poison pawn variation of the najdorf a time or 2. They all have their advantages but right now I like the schivishnekov best.
Originally posted by Positional PlayerBoy do I have the perfect solution for you.
In your opinion, which variation of the Sicilian Defence is the best to learn, in terms of theory, resilience and dynamism?
I am thinking of adopting the Sicilian for a while but I do not know which one to choose. This is part of my attempt to play more tactically as Black as my tactical play is weak.
Thanks for your input.
Starting out the sicilian by Emms
Had the different varations with ideas, stats and 3 games for each variation just to wet your appetite.
It not a detailed book, but a book which will help you decide which system you like and then you get a detailed book on that system.
First specific opening book i read and i loved it. Finished it in 2 weeks.
Originally posted by zebanoI play the sveshnikov, but I am thinking of changing, mainly becuase against better players, I feel that white just slowly crushes black.
I would avoid the dragon because I can't stand facing the yugoslav attack (and face it you will). The schivishikov would be my choice though I initially learned a schevinegan. I have even played a poison pawn variation of the najdorf a time or 2. They all have their advantages but right now I like the schivishnekov best.
Originally posted by WulebgrAnd what do you gain by playing e5 prior to Nf6? I slipped up and played that against Smaug and found I didn't like it near as much as the sveshinikov but I didn't have any good plans at that point either.
I prefer the Kalashnikov, 4...e5.
[fen]r1bqkbnr/pp1p1ppp/2n5/4p3/3NP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq e6 0 5[/fen]
Originally posted by zebanoI agree with the comments about the dragon - I stopped playing it because of the yugoslav attack; the accelerated dragon - 2 ... g6 is worth a try though.
I would avoid the dragon because I can't stand facing the yugoslav attack (and face it you will).
Personally I would avoid the Najdorf unless you are the sort of individual who enjoys learning a huge amount of theory.
Originally posted by Tengu(1) Correct.
If you are looking for resilience in a dynamic opening try the french.
Forget the sicilian for 2 reasons:
1) The sheer volume of opening theory. I mean some Najdorf lines go 30 moves deep and you had better believe someone will know it all.
2) It can be very tactical.
(2) Why be afraid of tactical play? embrace it with love!.
* The french can get very tactical as well.
Still, this is a matter of personal taste - play what you feel works for you.
In practical play (maybe not in CC) there is no 'refuted' variation in the Sicilian.
interesting point, but Frecch isnt Sicilian. Different type of play, but a sound defense. . Still, one of the real tricky variations of the sicilian is the paulsen variation. with, 2...e6 and 4...a6
Very versatile, and this leaves plenty of manouvering around the fashionable svenshnikov, dragon and many najdof variations, so those are easily to ignore and guess what: white will start wondering "what is this??". On a comment made earlier, yes, see the Scheveningen variation as well, an excellent book was written by Kasparov on this variation in the 80's.
SL
my 2 cents
Originally posted by amir1The dragon is considered refuted...
(1) Correct.
(2) Why be afraid of tactical play? embrace it with love!.
* The french can get very tactical as well.
Still, this is a matter of personal taste - play what you feel works for you.
In practical play (maybe not in CC) there is no 'refuted' variation in the Sicilian.
The Kalashnikov is also objectively inferior to the najdorf for whoever suggested that.
i would say if you want to play sicilian, the best bets are najdorf, scheveningen, sveshnikov, and maybe the paulsen. najdorf is the most complicated but probably the preferred by GMs, the other three are all equally good.
Originally posted by Gambitzoid
The dragon is considered refuted...
Oh come on, who are you to say the Dragon is refuted? There are many GMs that play the Dragon to this day. See some games by Sergey Kudrin, Kiril Georgiev, Vasik Rajlich and Gennady Sosonko before claiming that the Dragon is refuted. Would a player like Kasparov play a refuted opening against Anand? Facing the Yugoslav attack is difficult, but it offers decent winning chances for both sides. It's extremely tactical and necessitates a good deal of research, but it is nowhere near to being refuted.
I have no problems with tactical play.
Point 2 was in response to the request for resilience. My personal feeling is that the implication was for something with a more positional/strategic bent.
Also with the french it can be fairly easy to side-step the tactical lines
eg. play classical instead of winawer poisoned-pawn.
Originally posted by zebanoI know the system, and most of my opponents do not. It's very sharp. Either player can find disaster by move twenty.
And what do you gain by playing e5 prior to Nf6? I slipped up and played that against Smaug and found I didn't like it near as much as the sveshinikov but I didn't have any good plans at that point either.