Keano wrote on 09/01/21 at 02:35:07:


katar wrote on 07/20/21 at 14:09:06:


I have reached the opposite conclusion and now avoid 2...e6 as Black. Both 3.c3 and 3.g3 are annoying lines to face, and 3.b3, 3.d3, 3.Nc3 and even 3.c4 are also playable (though less worrisome). So White's options aren't limited at all.

But you could say this is a stylistic conclusion, a matter of taste rather than objective evaluation.

The problem for most practical Black players is finding an Open Sicilian and a corresponding set of Anti-Sicilian lines that are not too far apart stylistically. If I play a solid, safety-first Open Sicilian (relatively speaking; some would say there is no such thing...) I don't want to allow crazy complications in the Anti-Sicilians, and vice versa.
So for instance, if you're a Najdorf or Dragon player out for blood, super-solid lines like the Moscow (2...d6 3.Bb5+) and the Prins (5.f3) may be a real headache. Though objectively 2...d6 is probably a very good move to counter Anti-Sicilians, if you're OK with some of them being a bit drawish.

At the moment I play a couple of Open Sicilians that are both somewhere between razor-sharp and solid, and I've found both 2...Nc6 (allowing the Rossolimo and 3.c3) and 2...g6 are a good enough fit with that. Of course the move orders also need to work out.

In my opinion, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 limits White's options the most.  A wise philosopher once said:
fjd wrote on 07/18/21 at 11:55:08:

If you like to play the Sicilian Dragon, you should consider 1e4 c5 2Nf3 g6. I see this from the white side and it seems somewhat underexplored.

I think 2...e6 is a solid anti-anti-Sicilian move. It is suitable if you play the Kan, Taimanov, or 4Knights variation. Of course, the Najdorf is out of the question.

I assume Mtal meant "after 2.Nf3". My own preference is for 2...d6, chiefly because I dislike 2...e6 3.c3 and 2...Nc6 Bb5. I wouldn't suggest that it "works best", but it suits me.

Just wondering, is there a move 2 that works best vs the anti sicilians? I guess they all have there pros and cons. Just wanted to hear what sicilian players think.