I'm looking for an effective way to fight the sicilian as white.  To the Sicilian players reading this, does the Closed Sicilian give you trouble?  And to everyone, would you recommend the Closed Sicilian?

kings gambit is a nice response

The Closed Sicilian gets a bad wrap because black equalizes in the opening phase of the game. People always say that white doesn't play for an advantage. On the other hand, what's wrong with an equal middle game position?

 

As a Sicilian player I cringe a little at the Closed. Even though I know what to play as Black, it just seems like an easy system for white. I wouldn't say it gives me trouble, but it's no worse than the Alapin, the Chamelion, the Smith Morra, the Grand Prix etc.

Have you tryed playing 1. e4 c5 2.c3 in an attempt to maintain two central pawns. This is my favourite reply to Sicilian as white.

BECAUSE OF LACKED OF OPENING KNOWLEDGE, I ALWAYS PREFER TO USE THE KING'S INDIAN ATTACK (KIA) AGAINST ANY DEFENSE. ESPECIALLY AGAINST SICILIAN, 1.E4 C5 2.NC3 WITH A KING'S BISHOP FIANCHETTO.THE REST IS OVER THE BOARD ANALYSIS.

 

I always thought KIA was knight at D2 and f3...

Spassky was probably the greatest champion of the closed sicilian, it served him well for years. I have played it myself as white and drawn with IMs and Gms using it. If you are looking for something other than the open variations against sicilian I think the closed is as good as 2c3 or any other "anti-sicilian" line.

 

 I have had pretty good results with the closed Sicilian over the years, it saves a lot of time studying all the other replys to the various Sicilians out there.

Yeah, being lazy and all, it was appealing as it avoided all that intense sicilian theory.

The KIA is a nice setup, but I usually move out my bisshop before Nd2

I think the closed sicilian is a very nice choice for white against the Sicilian.

 There are not many black set-ups, so you can build up specialized knowledge pretty fast.

The Closed is my response to the Sicilian, and I really recommend it.

i have been playing the closed for YEARS. but those who are good on the black side make it REALLY hard :(

Play the Moscow and Rosslimmo.  It is really annoying for Sicilian players.

The Closed Sicilian usually leads to positional maneuvering, so if you like tactics, pick something else.

I like tactics, but I am studying maneuvering, so I started playing some closed openings.

whatever you do dont neglect studying open sicilian positions. Even if you decide to play closed sicilian, study the open, it will do you the world of good. Reb is correct about Spassky, look at Spassky games using closed system, very good lessons.

KIA is a good alternative against the sicilian, it seems your in full control.

Yes, I have some troubles when I (black) face closed Sicilian. May be it is because Sicilian players are rather prepared to Rauzer or Sozin attack that to a closed game. Also, I think, I dislike this variation because of closed center which could appear after knight exchanges on d5 or d4, for example. An after this, if you (I mean black) push f5 you will have a “hole” on e6.

 

But keep in mind that Sicilian players are ready to play the Closed Sicilian as Ruy Lopez lovers are ready to beat Marshall gambit.