Fllg wrote on 07/27/11 at 15:26:13:


I recall that as being a hot topic something like 17-18 years ago; I think it surely isn't generally recognized as leading to +=.

I have the impression that a significant obstacle to White's += aspirations is 1. e4 c5 2. c3 e6 3. d4 d5 4. ed ed 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd6 7. 0-0 Ne7 8. dc Bxc5 9. Nbd2 0-0 10. Nb3 Bb6 (in the Tarrasch move-order this retreat is well-met by Re1 plus Be3, before ...Nf5 is available).

You're right, my claim that White is better after 4.ed5 is just silly. I was thinking by analogy of the 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 Nc6 5.ed5 ed5 6.Bb5 line, but c3 doesn't really help White and gives Black time to develop his light-squared bishop actively.

3. d4 is the most principled response to the Sicilian defense.  Black is permitting White a substantial lead in development and an open file for the Queen in return for his pawn advantage (d pawn vs. c pawn).  This doesn't mean you have to play it or even that it is the only route to an advantage.  But it is the strategically richest variation in the opening, if not in all of chess.

Questions:

TN : "2.c3 - In my view the Alapin is as good as the Rossolimo/Moscow. I like White's chances of achieving an edge in the 2...d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bd3 and 2...e6 3.d4 d5 4.ed5 lines. "  Q: What's the chance for an edge for White in the second line?  Doesn't look like an obviously bad IQP line.

Stefan: My disrespect (such as it is) for antisicilians was generated primarily by Federov-Kasparov, Wijk aan Zee... [goes and looks up the year] 2001.  Possibly the single most one-sided Black win in the history of chess.  And I'm not disputing the point - Kasparov got in trouble in the antis too - but wow, when he was on...

Probably for club level i.e. 150 ECF or 1800 FIDE, anti-Sicilians are fine, but how to play anti-Sicilians and avoid (Open Sicilian) successfully for 2300+? I think if one for some reason attempts to avoid playing the Open Sicilian, 2. c3 as GM Sveshnikov continuously plays could be the best...

I rather think most of us have many more problems when playing GMs than the opening

But what happens when playing titled players? Knowing Anti-Sicilians will not be too helpful if grandmasters will more easily answer against them than the open Sicilians.

Stefan Buecker wrote on 07/24/11 at 12:49:25:


The problem with that logic is that strong Sicilian players probably do not have to study 2. a4 I doubt grandmasters are required to seriously consider such a move, and even then they probably study anti-Sicilians quite extensively nowadays. Then if your opponents study both Open Sicilians and anti-Sicilians extensively, what to do next?   

Stefan Buecker wrote on 07/24/11 at 14:30:52:


Stefan, your last posts seem to miss a few smilies. 

I´m not yet ready to believe in 2.a4. Since 2.Na3 has proven to be a fine waiting move after 2... Nc6 3.Bb5 perhaps an article in one of the next issues of Kaissiber may convince me.