06 Jan 08
So many good choices for Black --- how do you choose?
The only exceptions would be the Dragon, Accl. Dragon, Najdorf, and Four Knights-- they're good, just not my cup of tea.
I'm looking at the Taimanov, Kan, Sveshnikov, and the Kalashnikov-- maybe even the Classical--- a good variation to be played here and G/10 blitz (maybe even OTB someday). Something that leans toward positional play instead of mostly tactics.
06 Jan 08
Dont play the sicillian at all if you want to avoid tactical play, even the systems you mentioned can easily get blasted by a good attacking white player.
Best thing would be to go back to the drawing board and pick a new opening - my advice would be the caro kahn, french or scandinavian. All of those openings will help you avoid a really sharp position and allow for solid positional play.
Perhaps the french might suit you best, as some of the lines you mentioned of the sicillian can tend towards french type games.
06 Jan 08
Originally posted by Crushing DayI play the 4 Ns Sicilian. It is actually a very positional Sicilian and doesn't have the swashbuckling Kside attacks that you see in the Najdorf or the Dragon. But its much more active I find than the Acc. Dragon. There's also an optional transposition into the Sveshnikov via the move order 1. e4 c5 2. e6 Nf3 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Ndb5 and now d6 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 leads to the Sveshnikov where white would normally be on move 7 (both sides having "wasted" a move), or black could instead play 6... Bb4 leading to the 4 Ns mainline.
So many good choices for Black --- how do you choose?
The only exceptions would be the Dragon, Accl. Dragon, Najdorf, and Four Knights-- they're good, just not my cup of tea.
I'm looking at the Taimanov, Kan, Sveshnikov, and the Kalashnikov-- maybe even the Classical--- a good variation to be played here and G/10 blitz (maybe even OTB someday). Something that leans toward positional play instead of mostly tactics.
The advantage of the 4 Ns move order though is that you avoid some of the Sveshnikov theory while giving white the opportunity to play some of the 4 Ns sidelines if he chooses a continuation other than 6. Ndb5.
Given the openings you listed as your preference, this would give you the opportunity to sample both worlds as you get some Taimanov type structures plus Sveshnikov lines if you and your opponent opt for the 6th move transposition.
06 Jan 08
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexI like the French main lines-- just can't stand the cursed exchange variation--- very annoying and seemingly very popular with the masses!
Dont play the sicillian at all if you want to avoid tactical play, even the systems you mentioned can easily get blasted by a good attacking white player.
Best thing would be to go back to the drawing board and pick a new opening - my advice would be the caro kahn, french or scandinavian. All of those openings will help you avoid a really sharp p ...[text shortened]... ou best, as some of the lines you mentioned of the sicillian can tend towards french type games.
I've noticed in the few Sicilians I've played that the easiest positions to play are the games where White diverts from the open Sicilian, e.g., 2. Bc4-- no suprise there, though.
But your advice may just be right on the money-- thanks!
06 Jan 08
Originally posted by scandiumI was all set to go with the Four Knights until after my game with kmac27-- I was left with two knights vs. his two bishops and not really a clue of what to do after that--- I guess with best play it would have been a draw, which seems a moderate way to go when playing the Sicilian-- my bad moves in that game didn't help, either!
I play the 4 Ns Sicilian. It is actually a very positional Sicilian and doesn't have the swashbuckling Kside attacks that you see in the Najdorf or the Dragon. But its much more active I find than the Acc. Dragon. There's also an optional transposition into the Sveshnikov via the move order 1. e4 c5 2. e6 Nf3 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Ndb5 and no ...[text shortened]... tructures plus Sveshnikov lines if you and your opponent opt for the 6th move transposition.
06 Jan 08
Originally posted by Crushing DayTheory says that black is just fine in the exchange. When I played the French I really, really disliked the exchange variation as well. I think that it was a big reason why I took up the Sicilian instead. The Sicilian, however, also has its problem lines (or at least lines you won't like as much) no matter which variation you take up. Probably the biggest problem with the Sicilian, though, is that you have to become familiar with the various anti-Sicilians as well as your chosen variation of the open. This can put you at a big disadvantage for awhile as white has likely specialized in his pet line and will probably know it much better than you do.
I like the French main lines-- just can't stand the cursed exchange variation--- very annoying and seemingly very popular with the masses!
I've noticed in the few Sicilians I've played that the easiest positions to play are the games where White diverts from the open Sicilian, e.g., 2. Bc4-- no suprise there, though.
But your advice may just be right on the money-- thanks!
Even after more than 3 years of playing the Sicilian I still cringe when I see white heading for certain anti-Sicilians (but maybe this will change if I ever dig into them in my Sicilian book).
06 Jan 08
2 edits
Originally posted by Crushing DayI just looked at that game. That is the 4 Ns mainline with 6. Ndb5 Bb4. My 4 Ns book says this line is fine for black, but its very hard to squeeze more than a draw out of it. My experience with that line is that white is the only one with winning chances while black really has to struggle for the half-point, so I've abandoned 6... Bb4 in favour of 6... d6. Then it can lead to the Sveshnikov via 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5.
I was all set to go with the Four Knights until after my game with kmac27-- I was left with two knights vs. his two bishops and not really a clue of what to do after that--- I guess with best play it would have been a draw, which seems a moderate way to go when playing the Sicilian-- my bad moves in that game didn't help, either!
That's my preference now, to play the 4 Ns sidelines and play 6... d6 if white plays 6. Ndb5. That's a very solid opening repetoire that gives you much of the counter-play of the Sicilian without the Kside attacks of the Dragon or Najdorf and with much less theory to digest. In fact, many 4 Ns sidelines will lead to early and interesting complex endgames.
If you're still interested in it I'm willing to play you some unrated games with white or black as I also play the Open Sicilian with white and can always use the practice. And I'm happy to discuss it via PM too.
06 Jan 08
Originally posted by Crushing DayIf you want something leaning to positional play i would say the kalashnikov. I personally play the sveshnikov but it involves loads of theory.
So many good choices for Black --- how do you choose?
The only exceptions would be the Dragon, Accl. Dragon, Najdorf, and Four Knights-- they're good, just not my cup of tea.
I'm looking at the Taimanov, Kan, Sveshnikov, and the Kalashnikov-- maybe even the Classical--- a good variation to be played here and G/10 blitz (maybe even OTB someday). Something that leans toward positional play instead of mostly tactics.
kalashnikov is easier to learn.
But dont forget its still an open sicilian so the lines can contain quite a few tactics.
If you are looking for very positional 1. .. e5 or 1. ..c6 might be more suited for you.
07 Jan 08
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexI tend to agree with your assesment. However, there's nothing wrong with the Sicilian. It's certainly the most frequently used opening there is against 1. e4. I tend to stick to the Dragon Variation because I think it's safer. I've had a lot of success with it. Even the Accelerated Dragon is very good. But that's just my opinion because it suits my chess style.
Dont play the sicillian at all if you want to avoid tactical play, even the systems you mentioned can easily get blasted by a good attacking white player.
Best thing would be to go back to the drawing board and pick a new opening - my advice would be the caro kahn, french or scandinavian. All of those openings will help you avoid a really sharp p ...[text shortened]... ou best, as some of the lines you mentioned of the sicillian can tend towards french type games.
As for tactics, that's what chess is all about. Pick an opening repertoire that suits your chess personality and then study endgames and tactics. Then study more endgames and tactics, and then more again. You're always looking for two things: a tactical shot and a way to get to the endgame with an advantage.
08 Jan 08
Originally posted by Crushing DayPersonally I like the Kan, as you can play more positional systems out of a Sicilian. But it is a Sicilian & you have to beware not getting developed in time and getting crushed.
So many good choices for Black --- how do you choose?
The only exceptions would be the Dragon, Accl. Dragon, Najdorf, and Four Knights-- they're good, just not my cup of tea.
I'm looking at the Taimanov, Kan, Sveshnikov, and the Kalashnikov-- maybe even the Classical--- a good variation to be played here and G/10 blitz (maybe even OTB someday). Something that leans toward positional play instead of mostly tactics.
08 Jan 08
Originally posted by chessisvanityGame 4431176
anyone try 1.e4...c5 2.f4?
I just played a game against 3. f4 and I was caught completely off guard: I had the feeling it was a weak position but I wasn't really sure how to exploit it. He ended up blundering pretty early, so we didn't really get to play it out, but from the look of the board after eight or nine moves (before the blunders) I don't think white position looks too healthy.
I'm new to playing the Sicilian, and really to playing good chess in general, but it strikes me as far more important to get pieces out in the opening than pawns.
08 Jan 08
Of course it is...if you want to play a gambit style against the sicilian your main options are 2.f4 (the Wing gambit) or 2.d4 which can transpose to normal lines or to the Morra Gambit.As far as I am concerned I play the Sveshnikov OTB (because all the sicilian maniacs hate it) and I obtained nice results...
08 Jan 08
Originally posted by roaringking872. b4 is the Wing Gambit. And as far as the Sveshnikov goes, I think you are mistaking that for something else since its black who elects to play it, which he would hardly do if he hated it.
Of course it is...if you want to play a gambit style against the sicilian your main options are 2.f4 (the Wing gambit) or 2.d4 which can transpose to normal lines or to the Morra Gambit.As far as I am concerned I play the Sveshnikov OTB (because all the sicilian maniacs hate it) and I obtained nice results...