I'm an intermediate player (1200 Elo-ish) and want to know how to play the Sicilian as black if White goes for the Open.
As a Disciple of Fischer, I've been playing the Sicilian, both as white and black since 1970. The diversity of the opening never ceases to amaze me! This wiki link is a great study guide for the opening...including 'white playing the open' - :]
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence - @prismfire
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence - @prismfire
@prismfire : There is no one best variation, as far as I can see. The good news is that you have several good alternatives to choose from, depending on what sort of middle game you want to reach. The bad news is that they all take a bit of work, and the nature of the beast is such that you are going to lose your share of games learning any of them.
My first Sicilian crush was the modern dragon, with 2...d6 and 5...g6. (That was before I met my French mistress, but that's another story) I still go back to see her from time to time. With either colour. In the main line Yugoslav attack, the plans for both players are easy to understand. Go for the throat, and don't be afraid to sacrifice, because the one who doesn't get there first doesn't get there at all.
I've also played the Sveshnikov; quite a bit during the 90's, when it was theoretically hot. Also the Kalashnikov (basically the Sveshnikov, but by delaying ...Nf6 black gets ...f5 in early) and the Kan/Paulsen with ...e6. Those I am still trying to learn, but the Kan doesn't come naturaly to me. Too much thinky-feely positional pussy-footing. The same can be said for the Scheveningen. The Najdorf I don't really understand, but everybody rated over 2000 FIDE/nationally seems to get it. To me, it's like being an ultra-marathoner, trying to make it across a great dessert with only half a canteen of water and vultures circling overhead. Oh, but in the Najdorf you get to shoot back at the vultures, so I guess that's the appeal of it.
@Skittle-Head : thanks for the link.
My first Sicilian crush was the modern dragon, with 2...d6 and 5...g6. (That was before I met my French mistress, but that's another story) I still go back to see her from time to time. With either colour. In the main line Yugoslav attack, the plans for both players are easy to understand. Go for the throat, and don't be afraid to sacrifice, because the one who doesn't get there first doesn't get there at all.
I've also played the Sveshnikov; quite a bit during the 90's, when it was theoretically hot. Also the Kalashnikov (basically the Sveshnikov, but by delaying ...Nf6 black gets ...f5 in early) and the Kan/Paulsen with ...e6. Those I am still trying to learn, but the Kan doesn't come naturaly to me. Too much thinky-feely positional pussy-footing. The same can be said for the Scheveningen. The Najdorf I don't really understand, but everybody rated over 2000 FIDE/nationally seems to get it. To me, it's like being an ultra-marathoner, trying to make it across a great dessert with only half a canteen of water and vultures circling overhead. Oh, but in the Najdorf you get to shoot back at the vultures, so I guess that's the appeal of it.
@Skittle-Head : thanks for the link.
Intermediate player is 1200 elo hmm
It's not something that is settled. There are many good options.
Maybe consider The Sicilian Taimanov Move by Move by GM John Emms.
web.archive.org/web/20140626221508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen162.pdf
". These days it's virtually impossible to expect success in any mainline opening without learning at least some opening theory, and the Sicilian Taimanov is no exception. However, the amount of theory you have to contend with in the Taimanov is still minimal in comparison to more illustrious variations such as the Najdorf or the Dragon, and developments in theory also tend to move at a slightly slower pace. The Taimanov Variation is certainly manageable project for anybody wishing to take up the Sicilian.
. Black's system of development is arguably one of the more active ones in the Sicilian, and it also allows a good degree of flexibility and creativity." - GM John Emms (2012)
"... Any prospective Sicilian player rated between 1600 and 2200 will do well to start with this particular book." - FM Carsten Hansen (2012)
web.archive.org/web/20140626221508/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen162.pdf
". These days it's virtually impossible to expect success in any mainline opening without learning at least some opening theory, and the Sicilian Taimanov is no exception. However, the amount of theory you have to contend with in the Taimanov is still minimal in comparison to more illustrious variations such as the Najdorf or the Dragon, and developments in theory also tend to move at a slightly slower pace. The Taimanov Variation is certainly manageable project for anybody wishing to take up the Sicilian.
. Black's system of development is arguably one of the more active ones in the Sicilian, and it also allows a good degree of flexibility and creativity." - GM John Emms (2012)
"... Any prospective Sicilian player rated between 1600 and 2200 will do well to start with this particular book." - FM Carsten Hansen (2012)
@Skittle-Head said in #2:
> As a Disciple of Fischer, I've been playing the Sicilian, both as white and black since 1970. The diversity of the opening never ceases to amaze me! This wiki link is a great study guide for the opening...including 'white playing the open' - :]
> - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence - @prismfire
thanks, this will help me!
> As a Disciple of Fischer, I've been playing the Sicilian, both as white and black since 1970. The diversity of the opening never ceases to amaze me! This wiki link is a great study guide for the opening...including 'white playing the open' - :]
> - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence - @prismfire
thanks, this will help me!
Are there any videos you guys recommend? I find it helpful to follow along.
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