Dink Heckler wrote on 06/14/25 at 09:19:35:

Dink - I'm afraid we're in an era where variations are given such names in the hope of creating something catchy for use in the marketing hype for the latest book, video, or Chessable course.

It's notable in this case that the course's front page says, "Let’s make one thing clear: Ferguson’s Cannon is theoretically risky." And in the course discussion section, the author himself says of the line, "I don't think it's losing, but it is dubious." So there is some honesty, albeit hidden in a sales pitch appealing to those who are tempted to cut corners in coming up with a response to the Rossolimo.

Quote:

That seems to be the objective after:  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d5:
https://www.chessable.com/blast-the-rossolimo-fergusons-cannon-variation/course/...

Perhaps 4. c3 is strong simply because the c3 sicilian is the only variation where there is no place for Na5. I really don't see the need to resort to such desperate-looking variations when 3... e6 and 3...g6 are perfectly playable.

Alas, yes -- after taking a further look I have to agree that 4 c3! might well be the fly in the ointment. My initial impression is that after 4 ...a6 5 Ba4 b5 6 Bc2, a plan with ...Bb7 and ...e6 (e.g. 6 ...Bb7 7 0-0 [7 d4 cd 8 cd Nf6!?] e6 8 d4 cd) at least allows Black to sharpen the position somewhat, but I'm worried that the non-Lopez plan of 5 Be2!? with a later a2--a4 might deny Black even that fun. Of course Black can try 4 ...Nf6, but 5 e5 looks natural and strong, and even after 5 Qe2 Black has to beware ending up in a 3 ...g6 line a tempo down.

Anyone got any thoughts on Black's best plans after 4 c3? Later in the week I'll get a chance to look at a NIC Yearbook article on this so I'll report again then!

Having taken a look at 3 ...Na5!? last night, I'd say this is definitely the way to go if you want dynamism! Theory and praxis here are both quite young and it's always possible a refutation will be found, but currently results for Black seem reasonable. Moreover in most lines Black has more than one way of handling the position, often a sign of a system's health. (I'm not sure Black's ever forced to adopt an ...e6/...b6/...Qc7 Hedgehog if he doesn't want to.) Also, since Open Sicilian-type positions are usually reached, not only is 3 ...Na5 by far the most punchy anti-Rossolimo try, but it's also likely to take the White player who'd wanted to avoid an open game off his home turf. 

I'll try to open a separate thread on 3 ...Na5 soon. Meanwhile, anyone got any thoughts?

I know, the KAN has the typical hedgehog image, passive etc.

But if I would be a teachter, I would rather recommend 3...Na5 or 3...Qb6 leading to this KAN position then 3...g6, 3...e6 or 3...d6. I feel that all of them are very difficult to handle for somebody below 2000 who plays aggressive chess with the easy plan of searching the decisive kingside attack. Look for example at 3...g6: 4.Bxc6 and then there follows usually this longterm-minded manoevres like f6+d6+Nh6..back to..Nf7, forward to.., always there is some pawn hanging. This is difficult staff compared with the KAN: White plays f4 and starts a kingside-attack, black defends and searches a counter-attack or play on the queenside. Much easier, I would say!

Only 17/17,000 games in the whole of the Rossolimo?!  Really?!

I think ...0-0-0 will become more common for Black, but not in the form suggested by R.B.  Rather, in a line like the following: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.d3 Bg7 6.h3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Nd7 8.Be3 e5 9.Qd2 h6 10.0-0 Qe7 11.Nh2 Nf8 12.f4 exf4 13.Rxf4 Be6

I watched a game where black tried d6 + Bg4 + Qb6 + 0-0-0 ?
Pretty much tactics! 
A 2400+ played it in a blitz game. But I have strong doubts whether he would have played it with the normal time control too. Looks suicide 8)