anti sicillian

what in your opinion is the best anti sicillian?

1. d4

2. d4

e4 c5 Sf3 Sc6 Lb5 - Rossolimo
e4 c5 Sf3 d6 Lb5 - the moscow
e4 c5 Sf3 e6/a6 - i play g3

ususally in the rossolimo and in the moscow the better player wins. your advantage is that you have seen similiar structures far more often and in addition the countless hours a sicilian player spent on theory is not of much use.

2.d4 and 3.Qxd4 to bring out the queen like GMs do nowadays. This actually gets people out of prep and throws their repertoire out the window. I've tested it and got decent positions in middlegames.

I tried many many many things against this: I tried Grand Prix Attack, not convenient. I tried Wing gambit, people hold on to the pawn and cocoon cowardly. I tried Smith-Morra, but positions are very unclear and people hold on to the pawn and avoid all the stuff I prepared. I even tried going to the mainlines, but it's too dark and tooo many choices for Black. Now it is time for my final weapon: the Checkhover.

@WassimBerbar said in #5:

2.d4 and 3.Qxd4 to bring out the queen like GMs do nowadays.

I wouldn't play that. Maybe below 1500 rapid but still it violates the basic rule that you should not move your queen early. It simply feels wrong. If I am white I am the one with a tempo advantage not black!

I tried many many many things against this: I tried Grand Prix Attack, not convenient.
It's effective against some sicilian variants, against other it's not good.

I tried Wing gambit, people hold on to the pawn and cocoon cowardly.
This looks like a bad approach in the first place.

I tried Smith-Morra, but positions are very unclear and people hold on to the pawn and avoid all the stuff I prepared.
Many players decline the gambit, others defend, most get lost in the complications.

I even tried going to the mainlines, but it's too dark and tooo many choices for Black.
I agree with you there. Stay away from the main line. Waste of time.

Now it is time for my final weapon: the Checkhover.
I am not familiar with it, but you can try The Alapin 2.c3 instead. It seems slow at first, but in reality it blocks any black hopes for attack.

Instead of wasting time on trying to find the best “anti-sicilian” line, why not just face the Sicilian head on and play the open Sicilian?

@TeenageDimwit said in #7:

Instead of wasting time on trying to find the best “anti-sicilian” line, why not just face the Sicilian head on and play the open Sicilian?
I heard that the mainline of the Najdorf Sicilian, which is one of a hundred certified mainlines, has about 20-30 moves of very accurate play and hard moves to remember. It would be nicer if there is a general weapon instead of wasting your lifespan on learning unpractical lines.

@TeenageDimwit said in #7:

Instead of wasting time on trying to find the best “anti-sicilian” line, why not just face the Sicilian head on and play the open Sicilian?
I'm currently preparing for a classical OTB tournament and know little theory in Sicilian defense, so instead of spending hours learning moves my opponent could play, It would be better to learn a few anti Sicilians to avoid it.

#8 Haha. What makes you think it is necessary to learn obscure sidelines?

At our level, it is unlikely that we will come across Sicilian players who know a ton of theory of every common line. To play the open Sicilian well, you just need to have an understanding of the key positions that arise in the Sicilian and develop your tactical awareness by doing puzzles. When you are out of book, don’t panic, assess the position and come up with moves that fit your general plan.

#9 You might as well learn some open Sicilian lines if you are planning to put some time into learning theory. Believe it or not, it is easy to get a pleasant position with the open Sicilian as white without knowing a lot of lines.
Good luck with your tournament :)