I switched to playing 1. e4 a short while ago and obviously I am now studying the Sicilian so I can play well against it. The book I have only shows the main lines and a few variations, but it doesn't talk much about the point to each move. In my studies, I have encountered some moves that I don't really understand the point of. I'd like some help understanding what they're meant to do. I'd also like any help on what the theory in the various variations of the Sicilian are, so that I can improvise rather than always play what my book says to play.

Sicilian Najdorf Questions: My questions on Najdorf have been answered. Thank you to those who helped me out with this. After more analysis on this I have decided I like 8. Qd2 instead of Nb3 or a3. If someone has a reason for me to not play Qd2, feel free to post it.

Sicilian Sveshnikov:

 

 

 

 

 

The moves I don't understand here are the two last moves. After Ndb5, can't black play a6, causing white's knight to move to a3 where it is practically useless? To me, it seems that the best move is Nxc6, but that isn't in my book (options shown are Ndb5, Nf3, Nb3, and Nf5), so I can't do too much analysis on it. Does any one know what happens after Nxc6? Also, why does black play d6 instead of a6? I noticed that black does play a6 in a couple of moves, but wouldn't getting rid of the knight right away be better?

I'll post questions about other lines later. I want to first analyze what I can on my own, so I don't make any stupid and hasty conclusions. Meanwhile, please help me out with what I posted so far.

I had a computer analysis done on my game where I palyed the najdorf and played e5 rather than e6 and received this note on the move:

6...e5?! 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.Qd2 b5 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. Nd5 Qd8 11. 0-0-0 Bg4 12. Be2 Qd7

Giving white a slight advantage and a solid outpost on d5

Hope this at least somewhat helps with your first question.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Also, could you (or someone else) give me the link to a free computer analysis program as well as a free database that goes beyond just the first few moves (if those exist for free). These would be quite helpful for me and I won't have to bother you guys with as many questions.

Look up crafty -- that's a pretty decent computer program with a nice analysis mode.

4. ...a6 is to prevent Bb5+

7. f4 isnt dangerous but 7. f3 is another option, preventing Ng4

6. ...e5 leaves d6 and d5 weak

To add to Gonnosuke's correct assessment at the end of his post, since you shouldn't be playing 6 Bg5 you could play 6 Bc4. You asked about 7 Bc4 so I know you are interested in the move.

I posted new questions.

Thanks for helping me out with the Najdorf.

In your scenario, after the moves you posted, black can simply play Qe7 and the position doesn't look bad at all for black. White isn't bad either, so I'm clear on the fact that Ndb5 isn't a bad move, but to me it seems as if after a6 black gets to an even position really quickly and easily. Unless white has a special plan after black plays Qe7, but I don't see any threat to black in this position.

Well in that case white could just trade queens and he would have a better endgame because of his bishop pair and blacks backward d-pawn. Maybe there is something better but I think at the worst the endgame is good for white.

In the Sveshnikov, 6. Nxc6 is an interesting question. It isn't even mentioned in passing in MCO. The only options given are Ndb5 and Nf3, and a mention of Nb3 and Nf5 being inferior. (Nb3 giving black the advantage and Nf5 giving easy equality.)

6.Nxc6 is met by bxc6 and Black has gained a plus by strengthening the central pawn position. In particular, in Sicilian positions where Black plays e5, then d5 becomes a critical square. After ...e5 White dominates d5, but after the NxN cxN exchange on c6 Black has regained control of d5.

I really don't like the looks of Ndb5 due to it getting kicked to a3 a short time after the knight moved to b5. Later on, the same knight moves to c2. Moving one piece so much in the opening while black gets the chance to develop it's other pieces can't be so good. The only other move for the knight that hasn't been considered inferior by my book is Nxc6. I did what analysis I could and posted what I got. In the final position, black has a bishop pair and more center pawns, but white is ready to launch a deadly avalanche of pawns on the king side. I wouldn't say either side has a clear advantage. The game all depends on whether black can defend himself from white's pawns, so it looks like white is on the offensive and I'd be happy to play as white in that position.

PS: How important is the bishop pair? From my chess teachers in the past, I haven't heard anything about bishop pair. I want to know so that it's easier for me to tell who has the better position overall.

benedictus,

In the given position can't Black just play 11...Bg5 and win the Queen for Bishop?( 12.f4 is followed by 12...Bxf4.)

Oops. I didn't see that. In that case, instead of 10. Qd2 I guess white should play Qd3 and the position is basically the same as the other, only this time, black can't pin the queen. So, if white played 10. Qd3, what do you think of the final position?

I hate Sicilian

That's helpful.

Here is some help

the game would be to black´s advantage if he played Bb4 instead of Be7 then followed by d5. just a thought

cause of night d6 stupids

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U r the stupid guy, not us! Havent u read the replies lately???