Stigma wrote on 03/06/08 at 10:15:45:


Well, playing ...e5 instead of ...e6 there is a main line.

I would have thought that the "Big Clamp" requires White's knight on f3, so it would generally start with 2. g3 or 2. d3.  But the ...e5 stuff (Botvinnik setup) is a main line there too.

CheckMate wrote on 03/06/08 at 09:51:18:

It makes quite some difference, that the knight is already on c6. In several variations for instance it is nice to swap N * Nc6 for instance. But there are more reasons. So the ideal move order for black in the Taimanov is not so easy.

In the Kan black has 6 .. Bb4, which gives nice play against the main line with 7 Nde2, and looks like the easy way out. However 7 Bd2 is not so clear, and might even be slightly better for white.

In the Kan black als has 6 .. Nf6. Which is a swamp of variations. I do not know how to assess 6 .. Nf6. But if white knows what he is doing, I think it is a very dangerous line (but maybe equal) against the Kan.

An early b5 for black, almost always leads to better positions for white.

Having had more time to check this with sundry books I'm not sure what he'd base it on either

There is a distinctly Kan line after: 6 .. Bb4 7 Nde2 Nf6 8 Bg2 Be7 etc but given that white's more dangerous lines vs the Sheveningen set ups tend to involve voluntary Nb3/Nde2's that can't make such a difference from the main lines.

Emms seem to think an early b5 is asking for trouble.

Ideas with d6, Bd7 before Nf6 etc seem to be rather solid and possible from either move order. That's the safest sicillian line and Burgess' recommendation. Still plenty of play left in the positions of course.

I've always been attracted by the fianchetto against the tricky Paulsen systems. By the way I was intrigued by a passage in Experts versus the Sicilian where Sune Berg Hansen proclaims that the 6.g3 line versus the Taimanov (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cd 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. g3) is considered critical while the analogus setup versus the Kan (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cd 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. g3) is harmless. This difference surpasses me! Someone here who knows what Sune bases this claim on?

Most open g3 lines are okay. But not all recommendations from Davies are okay, but Davies is a nice book to start with. It will take you some time, to learn to play the g3 lines. For the Dragon, a good book is Der Drachentoter, and the sicilian dragon from Kasanovic. Both books are maybe difficult to get. Personally I think the g3 Dragon is equal, and it is not well playable against the accelerated dragon. Most other g3 lines are nice. Against the Najdorf, the Nb3 instead of Nde2 should be played.

The closed sicilian is easier to play and learn, but the price is, that it is rather easy in most lines, for black to obtain a nice game. A good starting book is Emms, and Starting out the Closed Sicilian from Palliser.

Davies' book is OK to get to know the typical plans for both sides; he tries to be objective and also gives some black wins. But it is five years old already, and many of the main games are from the 80s, so don't expect up-to-date theory. Davies suggests the g3-approach "reduces the need to memorise variations", but some of the lines have developed a lot in recent years, particularly in the Taimanov (where g3 is considered a main line), Kan, Najdorf and Sveshnikov.

A suggestion if you are torn between Open and Closed Sicilians: Play 2.Nc3 to keep Black guessing. After any of Black's replies both the Closed (g3), the Grand Prix (f4) and the Open (Nf3/Nge2 followed by d4) are still possible. Against 2...Nc6 or 2...d6 3.Nge2 keeps your options open one more move, if you are happy with Ne2 in the Closed. There is also 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5!?

This way you can avoid your opponents' favorite Open Sicilian. Though after 2.Nc3 e6(!) I believe White really should transpose to the Open if he wants to fight for an advantage. And with that move order you are committed to Nc3 lines versus the Kan (no 5.Bd3!)...

Hi there,
I have heard that Taming the Sicilian was a good book on a bad opening.  I would go with the closed sicilian given this choice...  You can play 2.Nf3 and then vs 2...d6 play either d4 cd Qxd4!! or play 3.Bc4 and vs 2...Nc6 it is easy to recommend Bb5!!  finally vs 2...e6 play 3.c3 and go into an Alapin Sicilian!  if you want a pretty good book go with John Emms Attacking with 1.e4 you will find the closed sicilian, King's Indian Attack vs French. an interesting tid pit vs Caro and 150 attack vs Modern and Pirc.  Oh yeah the Bishop opening is covered.
Good luck,
Zatara