Yeah, Im just starting out in the Closed Sicilian (I dont play it as White, I wanted to learn how to face it as Black and I figured out playing it as White would be the best way lol) yet e5 seems to be a common move, for example in the Spassky line.

I dont know if we should consider Ncxe5 as a defense, the engines say Black is dead lost anyways.

13...Ncxe5 14.Qxe6 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 Nxf7 16.Nd5 and it is hard to suggest a move that doesnt lose for Black, engines recommend 0-0 allowing White to play Nxe7 so seems like Black is pretty much busted.

Now I only need to bust the whole system after Black defends the b7 bishop instead of playing Be7.

lnn2 wrote on 01/31/06 at 15:39:40:


This move is covered to some extent in Fighting the Anti-Sicilians, by Palliser.

Let me refrase myself, Black needs to prevent e5 by defending the b7 bishop. After 9...Qc7 10.a3 Black seems to be fine yet the game is not over, White has a nice solid position with a small lead in development and slightly more space. Engines suggest 10...Be7 11.f5 for White.
To my eyes, seems like Black's position is a little bit dangerous, if he castles on the queenside White may try a4 just opening lines in the queenside (if b4 then Ne2 and c3 is comming.) and if he castles on the kingside, well, typical Closed Sicilian stuff happens.
The engine confidently says at depth 25 the score is +.30, however Im a little suspicious about it and would need to see the final position evaluation.
I have hopes for White in this position

MNb wrote on 08/03/04 at 09:00:14:


Vallejo Pons also played this in a blitz game but said it was a dangerous move

Its also important for the player of 2...a6 to make sure that his Open Sicilian defense fits in with the ...a6 move after 3.Nf3 or 3.Nge2.  For the Najdor player this shouldn't be much of a problem but a Dragon player probably wouldn't want to play this way.

If I'm not mistaken Black usually sets up with ...c5,...a6...b5,...Bb7,...e6,....Nc6,...Qc7/b6(possibly) and often goes 0-0-0.  Sometimes Black strikes back with ...d5.  The early g4 move can expose White to ...Qh4+ and ...f5 so he has to exercise some caution.

I used to be of the opinion that 2...a6 was too early since the main idea was ...b5 and that could be achieved by ...Rb8, only answering a4 with ...a6.  However I've since learned that Black intends to play this system more flexilbly and now think it's quite playable.  Just don't castle kingside too early if White is playing f4,g4, f5 etc...