8245 Players currently online!
Man vs. Machine - good luck!
Turn-based games at any time!
Vote for the best move to win!
Do you have what it takes?
Sharpen your tactical vision!
Get advice and game insights!
Learn from top players & pros!
View millions of master games!
Your virtual chess coach!
Perfect your opening moves!
Test your skills vs. computer!
Find the right private coach!
Can you solve it each day?
Bring it all together!
Beginners, start here!
Make friends & play team games!
News from the world of chess!
Search all Chess.com members!
Find local clubs & events!
Who's the best of your friends?
Read what members are saying!
ichart
I was researching the Sicilian opening and something interesting stuck me.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6, why is this step not followed by Nxc6, which would leave the opponet with two choices, takin with the 'd' pawn might endanger black's ability to castle and taking with the 'b' pawn will isolate the 'a' pawn. This move might also apply pressure on the knight on f6 going forward.
Far from being a master, I am not even a registered player so my analysis might be way off...
But, taking my analysis to be true, I have a question for you...
My friends, the question is, is this move a popular option, if not, why so?
BigTy
It is not popular, and for good reason. First of all, taking with the d-pawn is totally fine. After white trades queens black can put his king on c7 where it is safe and also conveniently close to the centre, incase further simplification occurs. Taking with the b-pawn is what I have done as black in this position, and it may be even better. Black gets a large mass of pawns in the centre of the board, which may not seem significant right away, but eventually will pay dividends. Also, white has already moved that d4 knight twice, so trading it for a piece that has moved once is bad in principle.
eaglex
i think white does not want to take because black can take bc and black will have more pawns in the center and be able to equalize with d5 easier
Best trolling tactics you legally can do in OTB?
by Firepower8 a few minutes ago
Trouble developing the b file knight Italian game
by champ_weller 4 minutes ago
Easiest opening to learn for beginners ..
by FLchessplayer 6 minutes ago
The chessworld is practically remoted!
by GM_Hiceberg 6 minutes ago
Smith-Morra defence
by pfren 7 minutes ago
5/25/2012 - Reshevsky-Ivanovic, Skopje 1976
by arcturusnights 8 minutes ago
Open seeks
by erik 10 minutes ago
My game against GM Michael Adams
by joeydvivre 11 minutes ago
Use of a copmuter for advice!
by Scottrf 14 minutes ago
MAJOR MALFUNTION WITH LAST GAME!!!
by htdavidht 15 minutes ago