I dont like to play against e5-d6-c5 pawn setups. People say it is bad to play this, because it creates weak squares, but it pressures the d4 square and kind of locks the center. I see that the d6 pawn is weak and that a knight would be placed well on d5, but in general I dont see how to make use of these weaknesses.

i don't mind it the position is Sicilian like so d5 wI'll be your target not d4

My idea against that pawn structure would be to trade light squared bishops, trade my DSB for a knight, then implant a knight on d5. If you can accomplish that white should be better.

I often get such Botvinnik positions against the computer. They're extremely drawish, which is why I like them: it's difficult to lose. Even when I win, they're the longest games I encounter, since they're locked up, as you mentioned, so it takes a long time to turn a small advantage into a winning position, then to free up enough pawns to queen and get a checkmate. I strive to get a symmetrical hexagon pawn formation, outpost a knight at d5, and if a break in the pawn chain does occur, I keep the pawn structures symmetrical so that only one file is open, usually the c-file, sometimes the f-file, whereupon I trade off rooks and queens on it, so that there's nothing left for either side to do except shuffle around locked-in bishops. Don't allow multiple open files because that allows too many avenues of penetration by rooks or queen.

Here's a pawn structure that is similar (but not identical) to the Botvinnik, with the typical kind of game that I get as a result, the kind I just mentioned.

Here's a similar one I won when the computer foolishly gave me a passed pawn...

letsplaychess: I'm wondering why White didn't play d4 before Black locked with c5/e5, which is a good choice for Black.

White doesn't have a bad position but he needs to have a plan. Like bb_gum, I don't think you want knights on c3 and f3. One or the other but not both.

I would fianchetto kingside and look up the Closed Sicilian.

If you play your openings correctly, Black should never get that structure against 1.e4, only the Czech Benoni, which is a d4-opening.

I saw one person post 1.e4 d6 2.Nc3 - don't do this.  If Black doesn't attack e4 or fight to control d4, like via 1...c5 or 1...e5, take the center.  So after 1.e4 d6, play 2.d4!

If this came via 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 (the old way of reaching the Philidor), play the superior move, 3.d4!, instead of 3.Nc3

Yes, I don't like Nf3 together with Nc3 either. Normally I don't play this anyway. I prefer c3-d4 pawn break, something like this would suit me more:

something like this:

I have never been considering 3.d4 in this. Normally I prepare d4 with c3, trying to keep a pawncenter. I don't see how it is superior, maybe I should look up on this.

The Philidor stopped being popular in higher level chess because of that move. I believe 3.d4 is the best move in that specific position. I believe 3.Bc4 is second best move.

However, If it was me I would play 3.d4. An depending on how you like to play you can play very nice follow up lines.

After 3.d4 black has up to about 5 different moves they can play. All of which are just sad really lol. I think they are just nice trys to be honest. They really do not seem to cut it. Which is why 2.Nc6 is considered the better move vs 2.d6.

I like Fianchetto lines. Which I usually follow up with a Fianchetto. Some players don't like fianchetto lines. However, you have several options after black makes there 3rd move.

I will show you the Fianchetto line first since I am biase HA HA.

The Fianchetto line I am going to show you usually happens after black plays 3...exd4

It just so happens that 3...exd4 is the most played move. Like if you was to look on a chess database it gets played a lot. I mean I'm looking at 1 chess database right now and 3...exd4 has been played over 5011 games. The second closest move is 3...Nf6 and it only gets played 1875 games. The third closest move is 3...Nd7 and it only gets played 1861

So you can see how overwhelming 3...exd4 is. Almost 3 times the chance you will get that line vs any others.

So I'm going to show you that line how it usually goes down first since I like it.

It is some what very nice line. You have control of d5. You can try and put pieces there. Also maybe even double up on the D file.

Usually you castle king side in this line and your position is very solid.

If for what ever reason you feel castling king side is not as safe. You always have option of queen side castle. Usually the position is nice for white. Which makes castling kingside not as bad. However, its always nice to have that flexiblity which this line gives.

You also have other strong lines against this continuation. I know some players do not like Fianchetto lines. So lets say you are that type of person. Well you have wonderful alternatives.

As you can see very nice options. You can be very aggressive or you can be very calm as a cucumber.

I like playing g3 with some idea's of popping a pony into d5 like Daniel Rensch says lol. If they ever play c6 kicking your knight away then you have a backward pawn on the D file to target.

I like that line becuase usually I just sit back cool as a cucumber and wait for my opponents to screw up. Especially very aggressive chess players. They for what ever reason get an inch to attack you with some weird idea that is unsound. An you just sit back cool as a cucumber in a very solid structure and just wait for them to hang themselves. This g3 line is the sort of line where your not really doing anything and yet your doing something.

You don't have no huge intention of checking mating the black king right away or anything. In a way your not doing anything against the black king. Yet your doing something by giving black the chance to make terrible moves. Your idea is just to let black check mate himself with stupid blunders. I think they play those blunders because they crack under the pressure. They feel the need to do something when your just sitting back doing nothing lol.

Moving your knight to d5 is annoying for them than stacking rooks on the D file for example. I mean its not a whole lot of action. yet at the same time it will frustrate them. Make them seek revenge. An thats perfect let them try to attack you in this position. Its like suicide. You be surpised how many people you can beat like that in this line.

Also the good thing is you can always mix it up. Since the moves are very similar in move order. When you think about it you play the same moves. So instead of playing 6.g3 you can try 6.Bf4 for example to mix it up and be aggressive one game than very solid next game. It will surely throw them off.

You could play 6.g3 against very aggressive players and let them do chess suicide against you.

Than change your move next game and play 6.Bf4 against very passive players and just crush them into the ground.

White has two ways to fight the the c5-d6-e5 pawn structure: pushing d4, or pushing f4. Both promise an advantage if white's LSB is uncontested on the a2-g8 diagonal.

This pawn structure is generally ok for black if white's LSB is on e2 (locked behind d3) or g2, or d4 or f4 can't be played quickly. The "weakness" of d5 is something black can well live with.

Examples where this pawn structure is fine include the  Closed Sicilian or 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 e5, which is a popular way to sidestep some move order trickeries.

If you look at Skotheim's example you'll notice that he missed 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 c5?! 4.Bc4 Nf6? 5.Ng5, which is a common tactical motive worth keeping in mind.

Thank you X_PLAYER_J_X. I should definitely try this out and see if it works for me.

A lead in space with rapid development is more important than keeping the pawn couplet on d4 and e4.

Same reason the Open Sicilian is White's best.

I didn't value developement too much so far (Also so far I didn't play open Sicilian at all), but it's time for new ideas.

The funny thing is most of the lines I showed you can some what be played in the Open Sicilian against some variations of the Sicilian lol.

The only one that can't is Bf4 instead they play Be3 or Bg5. It is becuase if you play Bf4 in Open Sicilian you will get forked with e5 pawn. In the above lines (Philidor) there is no e5 pawn so Bf4 is nice aggressive move.

When you look at the moves a lot of them are fairly the same

Be2, g3, Bc4

and the ones that are different  Bf4   vs  Be3, Bg5  have some similar queen side castling themes.

Usually the difference is the Philidor is not considered as great as the Sicilian.

In the Philidor black has an Open E File.

In the Sicilian black has an Open C file.

The difference is if white castles queen side for example. Its tougher to attack white on the E file vs the C file. Since the C file is closer to the white king on the queen side.

In Sicilian black has 2 center pawns vs 1 white center pawn

In Philidor black has 1 center pawn vs 1 white center pawn

These similarities I am showing you only apply to the Philidor variation with 3...exd4  and the Sicilian Najdorf variation.

Which in middle level and higher level those are very popular main lines.  In lower level you may face the Sicilian Dragon more.

Main move there is Be3 playing the Yugoslav Attack and trying to slaugther black lol.

There is theory you will have to know of course. I mean this line are not played by Grand Masters for there looks lol they are super aggressive and theoritical.

Which is why I believe alot of lower level players play the Philidor more often than the Sicilian. I do not think the theory is so over whelming in the Philidor.

If you compare the moves 2...Nc6 lines vs 2...d6 lines.

The 2...Nc6 lines are very theorical.

Also if they play 1...c5 going into a Sicilian that is very theorical as well.

In a way they are pretty smart. They are trying to play a line that is not so complex for them. An judging from your Post Title below

I dont like to play against this, any suggestions?

It does seem like they are a little effective. In truth, They are doing a brillant idea lol. I remember doing that when I was lower level. Played some very easy-ish lines so I didn't get crushed lol.

Eventually they will have to change there line. However, till than they can have some fun for sure. An well now you know what to do.

Teach them a lesson and Show them why its not played a lot in higher level chess lol.