The mole system: e2-e4, f2-f4, Ng1-f3, c2-c3, ...

By move 4 the game is definitely not just unique to the Sicilian, but is also the main variation of the 2.f4 French, which isn't that great overall.  Additionally, instead of 9...Qc7, the thematic 9...f6 is probably a slightly better move, trying to get rid of White's influence in the center.

Drybasin, you 're right at the next points:

1) The line I gave is not unique, as I mentioned in the article: "This position can also arise from French or Scandinavian." In the French we have 1.e4 e6 2.f4 d5 3.e5, 'de Labourdonnais' or 'McDonnell variation' and in the Scandinavian 1.e4 d5 2.e5 c5 3.f4.

2) It isn't a great line: White doesn't have to expect to perform any kind of wild tactics until much later in the game. As it were he digs himself in as a mole and wait for a opportunity to come on the surface.

3) The move f7-f6 can off course be played on the 9th, but also earlier. On the other hand in my experience as just an average clubplayer I rarely was confronted with that move. Most of my opponents choose to develop their Queenside with moves like a7-a6, b7-b5 and Bc8-b7 (or occasionally Bc8-d7).

But on the other hand you forgot the next points:

1) The line I gave is just an example line, nothing more, nothing less.

2) Instead of 4...e6 Black can not only play 4...Bf5 or 4...Bg4 as I mentioned, but also 4...g6 - all with or without e7-e6. In that way it is an independent system and playable against almost any kind of Sicilian.

Many people have fallen for similar things in my blitz games.

Robert0905,

Thanks for your contribution: your example is indeed instructive. In the very beginning I felled a few times in traps like these in blitz games, but ...

1) I always play Qd1-e2 before castling: in case of a Bf8-c5 White can play Bc1-e3 and try to trade his bad black Bishop against Black's good one.

2) If a Black Knight appears on f5 I always try to trade it off or to chase it away with my g-pawn. In your example I don't even mind to trade Black's Knight with my white Bishop. The trade weakens Black's pawn structure a bit and it takes a while before Black can develop his white Bishop activally.

3) All Knights are very important in the early stages of these lines, maybe more inmportant than the Bishops: they all attack or have to defend the d4-square. On the other hand White doesn't have to defend that square too hard: his main goal is to attack Black's Kingside later on.

4) The manoeuvre h7-h5-h4 is indeed annoying for White. It took me a while before I found a proper solution. In case of the fianchetto g2-g3 plus Bf1-g2 White can counter it with h2-h3 plus g3-g4 incase of h5-h4. The whole op g3 is another reason why White should get rid of that Knight on f5 as soon as possible. In your example the solution is 12.Bxf5 exf5 and then 13.h3 to stop the Black h-pawn.

pfren,

Like I mentioned in e previous reaction: it isn't a great system, but playable. 

I also played it against the Caro Kann a few times:

If black wants to, he can play Qb6-Bc5-Nf5 before white gets a chance to play Qe2. 

If you take on f5, black's pawn structure is damaged, but after Be6 he is fine.

I think that black is slighly better.

I always play 3...h5, and watch my opponent's brow furrow in confusion.

Robert0905,

In case of your example White can (and maybe must) play:

varelse1,

I must admit that I don't like 3...h5 (or later in the game) as White and it took a while before I could deal with it: it hinders my attack on the Kingside. Today the move is nothing more then a annoying mosquito. 

Another mainline could be:

What if Black develop his Bishop first:

According to Silman, declining the Tal Gambit with 3... e5?! is a horrible idea. I can't seem to find a link to his article on the subject, but I made use of it four years back or so. It was always a good way to get a satisfying victory as black.

In case of an early h7-h5:

Azukikuru,

Off course after 1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 3.e5 the move 3...e5 is not possible. But I as White do have some experinece with 1.e4 c5 2.f4 e5, the mafia defence:

Argh... Of course I meant 3. e5 and not 3... e5. My bad.

Azukikuru,

We forgive you. 

Of course Tal is right (who am I to disagree), but playing 3.exd5 of 3.e5 is just a matter of taste. The first gives a open position and offers more tactical opportunities, while the second provides more closed positions and is strategic.

Anyway, if it should help White's moverorder should be (after 1.e4 c5 2.f4):

1) e4-e5 In case of any d7(-d6)-d5.

2) Ng1-f3 Until thusfar I never tried Ng1-e2, because I want my Queen on e2 and go for the fianchetto.

3) c2-c3 Making c2 free for the manoeuvre Nb1-a3-c2(-e3) and keeping Black's Queen's Knight away from d4. In case of a d5-d4 White should better not take that pawn on d4, but leave it there: it does not do much harm.

4) Nb1-a3-c2 This manoeuvre counters any action of Black's King's Knight and provides more support to d4 if necessary. If possible the Knight can go to e3 to support an attack with f4-f5.

5) d2-d3 To give the Bishop of c1 some freedom. Of course, this must be played anyway if Black doesn't play d7-d5, but Ng8-f6. In case Black plays Dd8-b6 plus c5-c4 later in the game, the pawn still can go to d4 and close the diagonal g1-a7.

6) Qd1-e2 This little move should be played immediately after any Qd8-b6 or Qd8-c7. From e2 the Queen defends the pawns on d3, e5 and b2, counters any Nf5-e3 of Black and still can go to g4 or h5.

7) g2-g3 The pawn gives an extra support on the f4-pawn, keeps Black's Bishop away from h4 and must be played immediately after any early Bf8-e7 from Black.

8) Bf1-g2 This fianchetto offers the White King added protection, while it makes a manoeuvre as Bg2-e4, to support the attack on the Kingside, or Bg2xd5 possible.

9) O-O The White King is on safety. Whites plan now is to launch an attack on the Black King. If necessay White can prepare this with g3-g4 followed by h2-h3 if there's a Black Knight on f5.

10) Bc1-d2 The Bishop gives an extra support on the pawn on c3 and makes the first rank free for the Rook on a1. White doesn't need to play this, but that depends on how soon White can start up his attack on the Kingside.

11) Ra1-d1 or Ra1-e1 This only should be played to support White's pawn on d3 or e5, depending on the situation on the board at that moment.

12) f4-f5 The start of an attack against Black's King.

Good luck everyone!

Interesting way to avoid the main line sicilian but sometime main line against non-experts and non-masters you win a lot quicker.