Hey everybody, I know how to play the Sicilian, but I can't ever manage to win. Can anybody help me learn how to play the Sicilian?

First off, what variations do you like to play?

is hard to teach u...

I'd suggest just keep playing it, study your games when they're finshed, and you'll get better. There's no easy answer sorry!

 

 If you want more than that, you can read some basics about different variations here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence

 

 ... and you can check positions from your games to see what other players (including GMs) did in the same position here: www.chesslive.de

 

 

Good luck! 

The sicilian is the sicilian... chess is chess...  I suggest you practise chess instead. 

http://www.chesskids.com/grownups/sicilian.pdf

 

This URL will only give u a very basic understanding of the sicilian game and its variations (for black).  If u want something more detailed u should buy a book because as the sicilian is the most popular opening, and very complicated, there is no detailed information on the web. U could also look into

http://chess.about.com/od/improveyouropenings/ig/Opening-Tutorials/aa05g02a.htm

This is the Najdorf variation of the Sicilian defence. I believe its concept is the easier to grasp, that is if White decides to play the open variation.

I would suggest first trying to learn and UNDERSTAND the caro-kann defence, which is much more stable, and much much easier, with good chances for Black.

If u have time take a look at:

http://franosch.org/chess/choosopg.pdf

It should help with what openings to begin familiarizing. Good Luck!! 

This is gonna sound strict, but, worry less about the opening and focus more on rounding out your game. Its either that or you don't know the sicilian as well as you say you do. Your basically asking is "I know how to play the opening, but I lose in the middlegame, and/or endgame. How do I improve?" and well, the answer should be kinda obvious.

I dont necessarily agree, although the point you're making is correct, Nimzo, the opening will give you the basic outline of your plan, style of play, later in the game. If you study and understand an opening whatever that is, you will find yourself in the middlegame with one siginficant difference, having a basic plan, not being in ridiculous position trying to save the game.

However, yes playing correctly, or to be more precise 'more' correctly than your opponent in the middlegame will also give you the desired effects. BUT its harder this way, plus you might have heard of the following chess maxim

'First study the endgame, then the opening, and lastly the middlegame'

I've stuck to it, and it has served me well. By following the principles, you can never go wrong. 

attaxk wrote:

I dont necessarily agree, although the point you're making is correct, Nimzo, the opening will give you the basic outline of your plan, style of play, later in the game. If you study and understand an opening whatever that is, you will find yourself in the middlegame with one siginficant difference, having a basic plan, not being in ridiculous position trying to save the game.

However, yes playing correctly, or to be more precise 'more' correctly than your opponent in the middlegame will also give you the desired effects. BUT its harder this way, plus you might have heard of the following chess maxim

'First study the endgame, then the opening, and lastly the middlegame'

I've stuck to it, and it has served me well. By following the principles, you can never go wrong. 

I wasn't trying to say neglect the "opening", just to round out his game. He said he "knew" how to play the sicilian, so, I'm assuming he knows what he's doing in the opening; If he's losing then the problem lies elsewhere is what I mean. Like what Reb said, you can be a wizard in one portion of the game, but if your horrible in another you can't exactly expect the results your hoping for.

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Here is an interesting website on the sicilian:

http://www.kidschess.com/sicilian/index.html

Wow! NM Reb, thanks for the straight forward advice on that one. Everyone keeps telling me to study endgames as I am only rated in the 1200's, yet in probably 70% of my games One side obtains a winning edge in the opening or middlegame. That's why I study openings now. It's fun too. At any rate for horsey, I suggest two books: Richard Palliser's fighting anti-Sicilians and then a book on your favorite open sicilian variation. 1.e5 c5  2. Nf3  X  3. d4  Cxd  4. Nxd4   X=your favorite variation. I prefer 2...a6, although after 3. c3   I have one hell of a time trying to catch up.

I suggest buying a book on the variation of the sicilian that you want to play. The book you buy should explain the tabiya positions and standard middlegame plans associated with that variation.

 If you are great in endgames but bad in openings....I suggest one to try to choose openings that lead to simplified position. Or openings that lead to solid positions. those don't require much memorisation.

Don't worry about equality or what not or stale positions, because your endgame is your weapon you can use. You won't lose many games at all if you play like this (but you have to accept more draws)

 The players to observe are Kramnik or Leko.

Study with the tactics trainer if you're getting defeated when you reach a Sicilian middle game.  The Sicilian allows for complex middle game positions rife with tactical opportunities.  The way I see it, the opening and endgame are mainly positional in nature whereas the middlegame is primarily tactical.

Actually the endgame is the most tactical phase of the game as exact calculation of tempi is required in many cases. The middlegame is generally the most positional phase of the game as players battle to complete their individual plans.

sstteevveenn wrote: The sicilian is the sicilian... chess is chess...  I suggest you practise chess instead. 

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 Good call. If you are losing a lot with a certain opening, maybe it isn't for you... or isn't for you right now. Try finding openings that make sense to you and see which openings fit your style. Stick with the ones with which you score well. Maybe you can give the Sicilian another whirl after your chess has matured a bit.

 

TO 

ericmittens wrote: Actually the endgame is the most tactical phase of the game as exact calculation of tempi is required in many cases. The middlegame is generally the most positional phase of the game as players battle to complete their individual plans.

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 Tactics must be at least as important in the endgame as any other phase of the game, but are far less complicated than those found in the middlegame.

 

Whereas, in the middlegame, positional considerations may be disregarded for tactical compensation, they are all-important in the endgame.

I think u shuld find a coach.

My favourite line against the Sicilian defense is the Grand Prix Attack, 1 e4 - c5 2 f4. If you are working person no time to study the Grand Prix Attack is for you because there is to many lines to study in the Sicilian defense. I love this line , I use it all the in touraments and on line games . Thanks