ErictheRed wrote on 01/28/14 at 14:57:29:
Caledonian wrote on 01/28/14 at 13:22:09:
I was initially a bit confused by your comment about transposing into a closed sicilian though. The basic set up for white I had been thinking of ( as in the fianchetto var of the Pirc) is 1e4, 2d4, 3Nc3 probably followed with an immediate g3 fianchetto on move 4 or following 4Ne2. Since the closed var usually involves d3 I had assumed you actually meant the open sicilian.
I'm just going to let you work out all of the move order stuff, as I don't know about the rest of your repertoire. Obviously 1.e4 g6 2.Nc3 Bg7 3.g3 c5 is heading towards a Closed Sicilian, right? Though switching to an Open is possible (if both sides agree): 1. e4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. g3 c5 4. Nge2 d6 5. Bg2 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4.
Besides 3...c5 Black can of course play various "Modern" moves, 3...Nd7, 3...c6, 3...e5, head for a Pirc with 3...d6, etc, etc. You'll need to work out what you want to play for yourself; maybe you don't even want to play 2.Nc3? It's up to you. Karpov played 1.d4 d6 2.e4 g6 3.g3 against Seirawan once, I remember, so I don't think that there's anything wrong with it.
Its ok. I really wasn't expecting to be spoon fed specific repertoire suggestions here! Although I would be interested in any game examples of a fianchetto set up for white vs a modern structure. Anyone seen any?
For general information the 1e4 repertoire I am working with at present is as follows:
1e4-e5 Vienna Game with 3g3 vs 2..N-f6, 3B-c4 vs 2..N-c6
1e4-c5 KIA or Closed Sicilian
1e4-e6 KIA or Chigorin var
1e4-c6 Exchange variation or ‘English var’ with 2c4
1e4-d5 Fianchetto variations vs 2...Qxd5 (Classical lines)
1e4-d5 3B-b5+ vs 2..Nf6 (Modern variation) of Scandanavian
1e4-d6 Fianchetto variation
1e4-g6 2N-c3/3g3 vs Modern/Hippo, Gurgenidze or the Sniper.
1e4-N-f6 2N-c3 aiming for Vienna game with 2..e5 or facing 2..d5 with 3e5
I am definitely one of those players who will seek to avoid getting into an open Sicilian from 1...g6. Being taken into an open sicilian would be the equivalent of black pulling off an opening swindle for me!
Your right black has plenty of alternative moves to see what white does. But with this set up white has plenty of time too to decide on when to play d4 (if at all). I think its much easier to get pulled into an open sicilian if white plays d4 early as black has the 1..c5 response characteristic of the sniper. Fine is your Karpov and fully booked up for that!