MNb wrote on 07/18/18 at 10:46:49:

Strictly speaking the theme of the thread is the theory work "Keep It Simple: 1.e4" by IM Sielecki, and it has veered off topic somewhat. As I mentioned, not all his lines are simple, despite the title: The Pirc/Modern and Scandinavian lines are probably more complex than 3.Bb5+ Nd7, and his choices against the Philidor are critical main lines there, as far as I can tell. Anyway, when you are suggesting Open Sicilians, even slightly offbeat ones, I think I'm allowed to suggest the Prins. 

I imagine the Prins could be quite easy to play on club level. White would need some understanding of Maroczy and Hedgehog positions, but would quickly build up an experience edge as Black players don't face it often and may not be prepared for it. I can't recall it ever being recommended in a repertoire work for White; they tend to go for Bb5 Sicilians, the c3 Sicilian, the Closed or the Grand Prix Attack if they avoid the Open.

There is a two-part video by Igor Smirnov on the Prins somewhere on the net. Someone who watched that would probably be well set to spring it on unsuspecting opponents. To be filled out with a glance at Shaw's Maroczy lines, some Hedgehog theory, and maybe Sergey Kasparov's book in due time.

Having said all that, I'm not sure how the Prins is doing theoretically at the moment - If I start playing it seriously, I need to look at some recent high-level games first.

MNb wrote on 07/18/18 at 10:46:49:

Nothing, if White intended to play it with an early Nc3 anyway. But White is deprived of some options this way: Carlsen and other GMs have played it with c2-c4 (again reaching Maroczy positions), and I believe there are some lines in the standard move order where Be3 or Bg5 can be tried before Nc3 is in.

alyechin wrote on 07/17/18 at 15:44:44:


I play the Rossolimo vs. Nc6, the KIA vs. e6 and a largely English Attack set up in the Open Sicilian vs. d6, the latter based mostly on 'Dismantling the Sicilian' with a plan to upgrade it to the lines in John's Shaw's new book.

The Hungarian 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 is decent (and allows the transposition 2...Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4).
There is also 3.c3 Nf6 4.Bd3/4.Be2.

To me these options look simpler than 3.Bb5+ Nd7.

If you like the Rossolimo (2...Nc6 Bb5) but not the Moscow (2...d6 3.Bb5+), what can you play with the white pieces against the Sicilian?

I've said before that people who play 1.e4, but solidly, can be very tricky to face. I prefer a bit more complexity than many of Sielecki's choices here, and can't imagine playing this exclusively. But it's great for a solid backup repertoire or to pick and choose lines.

The lines I struggle most with feeling enthusiastic about are the Scotch Four Knights and also the Sicilian Moscow variation if Black plays the most solid defence against it. In the latter case I guess you just have to learn to squeeze with the typical Maroczy Bind-style space advantage.

The French Exchange is actually interpreted quite dynamically by Sielecki, so I wouldn't call that the most simple or boring part of the repertoire.

I also feel that he departs from the "simple" philosophy against Black's lesser defences. The lines against the Scandinavian and Pirc/Modern can get quite sharp and critical, so while objectively good, they may not fit that well with the rest of the repertoire.

I dread the Keres Attack.  If you want to play the Alapin instead, I’m more than happy.   

All kidding aside, this looks like a good repertoire for those trying to keep it simple.  I like that Sielecki picks lines that allow White to choose the variation.

@Fllg: I get that the French Exchange isn’t the most exciting, but what else is there?  Unless you opt for the Advance or the KIA, it’s hard to keep things simple.

It seems this will be published by NiC in printed form by the end of the year.

Regarding the repertoire I play or have played most of his suggestions so in my view it should be quite decent. 

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 is of course a good choice but requires knowledge of a few different structures after 3...d5 or 3...Nf6.

The French Exchange is certainly debatable but it´s a solid choice and I´m sure the author has some decent ideas there.

In my view Sielecki is a good author who puts in quite some effort into his work. At least thats my opiniion about everything I have read or seen from him.