Keano wrote on 03/12/15 at 16:22:33:


Why?  I play the Sicilian partly because I like the instant equality I get with all of the Anti-Sicilian systems. 

Of course, the original poster could just play Alhekine's Defense and be done.

I kind of understand the OP and sometimes employ this tactic myself with good results (I play the C-K vs. people I know they usually play annoying anti-Sicilians). I agree that anti-Caro's could be more interesting to face than some of the Anti-Sicilians.

But to be honest for my case it boils down to the fact I have neglected maintenance of some important Anti-Sicilian lines. Maybe the same holds for you. For instance, imo Closed and GP lines are quite interesting to play as Black. Alapin and Moscow/Rossolimo could be interesting too, depending on which set-up you like to play.

As a last note, if I was playing as many ML Sicilians as you do, I would have also tried to manipulate the move-order in order to avoid the most annoying Anti-S's (or depdending on the opponent if you happen to have such information).

Most people consider the anti-Sicilians to be less critical than the Open (with the exception of the Rossolimo). It seems odd to avoid them, isn't it a good thing if your opponent plays a less critical line?

I had an idea of manipulating my opening repertoire as Black, especially imod 1. e4. I happen to play four openings regularly against 1. e4, according to frequency:

I) Sicilian: Najdorf usually, some Kan, maybe Kalashnikow soon
II) Pirc: 5...0-0 with 6. Bd3 Na6 against Austrian, 4. Be3 c6, 6...c6 vs Classical, 150 Attack I have a thread open for that, ...e5/...c6 against 4. g3
III) Caro-Kann: 3. Nc3/Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 main main lines with all kingside castling ...0-0, 3. e5 Bf5
IV) French: 3. Nc3 Bb4 with 7. Qg4 0-0, 3. Nd2 c5 with ...Qd6, 3. e5 with 5...Bd7 6. a3 c4

I have noticed that of all four, the one opening wih the most annoying and bread amounts of anti lines is the Sicilian, you have 2. c3, 3. Bb5, Grand Prix with Bc4, Grand Prix with Bb5, 2. d3, Closed, I could go on, but I find these seriously annoying and it looks like they somehow got more popular since I started the Sicilian back when I was a junior player in 2000.

French is less annoying in general in terms of anti lines, but 2. d3, 2. Qe2, Wing Gambit, Two Knights, is a bit annoying.

Therefore had I an idea, if I had suspicion that my opponent would play anti-Sicilian or anti-French, to use the Pirc or Caro-Kann instead, because noy only are there less "anti" lines, but their anti lines are less annoying and dangerous, and even so, you get interesting games anyway. Pirc is unique in that, despite all its analyses, is still a mysterious opening compared to Sicilian or Caro-Kann, and many positions you get new territory before move 10.

I remember I responded with tongues in cheeks to my friend who asked me years ago, "What do you play against those damn anti-Sicilians?" I told him jokingly, "Pirc and Caro-Kann", but never really did it. But after some thinking on, would this be a good strategy: Anti-Sicilians/Anti-French->play Pirc/Caro-Kann? Of course if it is unclear whether they play the Open Sicilian or main French, you lose possibility of playing main lines there, but my reasoning is that, at least in my experience, people who play anti-Sicilian and/or anti-French are willng to play main lines against Caro-Kann and Pirc. I am not sure if this is an actual fact that can be supported with statistics, or if it is even mostly true, but just from my games that seems to be a general case, that you have an opponent who plays the 3. Bb5 or 2. c3 line against Sicilian, maybe a KIA vs French, but is willing to play the main line Austrian Attack or 150, and plays 20+ move long theoretical lines against the 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 Caro-Kann.

I am a longlife Sicilian player, for 15 years, I have played in chronological order: Taimanow, Kan, Sweshnikow, Classical, Scheveningen, Najdorf. I would generally play against anti-Sicilians close to at least 60% of the time in tournaments. Sometimes with bad results, like when I almost lost to a 2150 in the Grand Prix Attack few years ago, but managed to hold a draw. I was wondering also if anyone else employed this Sicilian or French and plays Pirc/Caro-Kann if their opponent is known to do anti lines.