Bogojump wrote on 10/27/19 at 03:11:13:

Second question first: none, because I never played the Svesh and don't intend to in the foreseaable future.
It's because I disagree with Bragesjo for once that I reply. GM Kotronias and IM Semkov in their Attacking the Flexible Sicilian have gone at great lengths to discredit the Four Knights. At the other hand for instance WCh Carlsen has shown how to deal with the Anti-Sveshnikov variation 7.Nd5. As White can't prove an objective advantage with the Rossolimo either the conclusion must be that 2...Nc6 is the more accurate move order.
Of course subjective reasons still may make your prefer the suboptimal route via the Four Knights. You won't hear me complain, as I myself play the Dutch as Black.

We have two ways to reach the Sveshnikov (I am excluding routes via Kalashnikov and maybe Taimanov).
1. The "official" move order for the Sveshnikov.

2. Via the Sicilian 4-knights move order.

Pros and cons ?
I have an old book written by GM Michael Rohde:  'Play the Sveshnikov!'  where he recommends the Sicilian 4-knights move order :
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3  e6! (Rohdes exclam mark.) 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 d6 7. Bf4 e5  8.Bg5
This move order takes one more move to reach the Sveshnikov . GM Rhode writes :
"The practical result of this is that white can not reach some of the anti-sveshnikov lines ,while the "learning curve " for players wanting to employ this sharp defense is greatly reduced".
White can not play the Rossolimo variation (1.e4 c5 2. Nc6 Bb5) vs the Sicilian 4-knights move order.
On the other hand white has the chance to chose to play vs the Sicilian 4-knights instead, or rather black must be prepared to play the Sicilian 4-knights .
Accordning to GM Roman Dzindzichasvilli and GM Lev Alburt black must be ready to face the Rossolimo in approximately 23 % of all his games if he chooses the "official" Sveshnikov move order.
What is your opinion ? What move order would you chose and why ? Perhaps it goes down to whether you prefer to play vs the Rossolimo or if you want to play the Sicilian 4-knights (?). And of course if you prefer to avoid some other side variations of the Sveshnikov sicilian you have to meet if you chose the "official" move order.