I'm gonna learn it now as I've tried replying to 1.e4 with 1...e5, 1...Nf6, 1...e6, and 1...d6 but I don't enjoy them very much at all as White's big advantages can be very annoying. I don't have problems with 1...e5, I'm just bored out of my mind with it. So I skimmed through all of the variations of the Sicillian and kinda like the Dragon, Accelerated Dragon, Kalashnikov and the Najdorf and I need to do more research on them before I use them. So I was looking up some books and I found some on the opening, but then there were all these other books that only went over certain variations (probably to confuse the average consumer :/ ), so I'm wondering if it's better to buy a book on the whole opening or to buy separate books on the opening.
You spend ALOT of time studying openings!!
So I skimmed through all of the variations of the Sicillian and kinda like the Dragon, Accelerated Dragon, Kalashnikov and the Najdorf
!!!
All of them? I have been solely studying the dragon for over a decade and would still not call myself an expert. Trying to learn any two of these would be a monstrous task, and as for learning both the Najdorf and Dragon; forget it. I think you should experiment for now, but at some point in the future you should make a choice to specialize. Most of your opponents will have studied the Sicilian deeply, so just skimming across a bunch of variations might be rather risky when you start to play more competitive chess.
BTW, I love the thread title. I have shared your frustration with the insane complexity of theory on many occasions.
If any opening were to warrant this advice, it would be the Sicilian. More than one book could certainly be justified for such a developed opening. You should definitely try to learn the main themes and ideas behind the opening, whether it is in a book or just articles and games. At the very least, I would suggest picking up some kind of book on the anti-sicilians and closed variations, along with a book on your favorite open variation.
good topic and comments. I have avoided any study to date and simply play and learn as I go. The disadvantage faced laying black at times is my current frustration, however - openings inevitably being a weak part of my untutored game . I have taken some fearful thrashings whilst experimenting LOL
How about putting up a couple of your scenarios to further illuminate the situation ?
If you are really allergic to studying theory, you might consider the Scandanavian as Black -- 1.e4 d5. I played it for a while and you can get by on very little theory. (I stole this idea from from MCO15, so no originality there.) I've moved on to the Sicilian for turn-based games because there just seems to be no point in trying to avoid theory when you can sit there reading the book while playing.
Sorry, but I think that if white plays correctly in the scandinavian black is worse, don't think it's a totally sound opening.
Okay, then what should someone play if he, as Beanz said, wants to study no theory? I'm obviously not advocating the Scandanavian for those who want to do the work to learn an opening.
Wow, Graw81 is right, you have spent a large amount of time on the Sicilian.
Unfortunately, the Sicilian is remarkably diverse. You'll be spending quite a bit of time if you decide to go with more than one variation. Luckily, because there are so many, and each of them holds their own advantages and disadvantages, you should be able to find one that suits you just right.
Personally, I would recommend the Najdorf. It's fun, and I've successfuly utilized it in many tournaments. But, that and some shallow understanding of two other variations, is the extent of my Sicilian knowledge.
Best of luck in finding the variation that works best for you!
Why is it called the sicillian?
All I ever think of when I hear it is one of the classic blunders - no not "don't involved in a land war in asia"- never go in against a sicillian when death is on the line!
Look, ignore what everyone said about specializing and studying before you use it; what you need right now is to play the hell out of the sicilian. Treat it like a system and learn the first five important moves; the order varies depending on what White plays and which variation you are playing, but you will find that ...c5 ...d6 ...Nc6 ...e5 are all common if you aren't playing a dragon version.
However, the accelerated dragon version is probably the easiest for you to start playing; you make the moves 1...c5 2...Nc6 3...g6 4...Bg7, and then, depending on White, you'll play Nf6, 0-0, and d5 at some points.
Seriously though, the most important thing at this stage is to play the Sicilian, get a feel for why each move is made, what kind of middle game it leads to, and what the various traps for both sides are early on. Once you've done that, then start seriously studying it if you still like it.
Recap: Learn the first 5 or so moves by rote, and play the hell out of it! The understanding will follow...
=)
It is pretty sound, as Anand has played it before.If played correctly, it leads to a normal += advantage for white.
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