Study the Alapin (2. c3). It's the best anti SD strategy and easy to learn too.
What against the Dragon?
The current trend is the 9.g4 variation, where black has quite a few problems to solve currently.
that is in reference to the Yugaslavcorrect?
The current trend is the 9.g4 variation, where black has quite a few problems to solve currently.
It may cause problems, but it isn't a refute.
Actually, it may not cause problems at all.
Yugoslav attack is really a good attack towards the dragon. The main point of it, is that your kingside pawns are going to attack his/her king. while hes trying for counterattack on the queenside, white already has the attack and is ready to open up the position by h4,h5 etc.
True, but Black's attack is atually equal in force. It just starts a little slower than White's attack. If Black had the first move, it would be over for White. Lets look at a common line between amateurs I get alot.
9.g4 in the Yugoslav is quite trendy now and also 10.Qe1(after 9.0-0-0) seems to give some success for white.
I have never played an anti sicilian against him so I do not know what he would play. With the dragon I have some games but not many, just the knowledge that he always plays the dragon. I think I am going to look into the closed sicilian and also the yugoslav. if i dont feel ready with a week until the match then I will focus on the closed sicilian and play that. If my studies of the yugaslav go well in the weeks leading into the match than I will play that. In any case I will have two new opening in my pocket for future games, thanks again for all the help guys. I am bound to post a few more questions in the next month or so as I prepare
Actually, it may not cause problems at all.
Indeed, if white is dumb enough to play 12.g5? when misplacing the knight at h7 isn't forced, then black "may have no problems at all".
The other three logical replies are much better: either the simple 12.Nd5 with a typical mild positional bind, or 12.0-0-0, or finally 12.gh5 Nxh5 13.Bxg7 Kxg7, when black is certainly not that fine, since he can't prevent a timely f4-f5.
Houdini seems to like it
The current trend is the 9.g4 variation, where black has quite a few problems to solve currently.
It is quite ironic, that when i played 1.e4, i specialized in this variation BEFORE it was popular.