3 Check Opening Ideas For Black In the French Sicilian: Part 4 (4. Bb5)
There are 3 main ways for White to play this line. White can play either 5. Nxd4, 5. e5 or 5. Ne5.
5. Nxd4 Plans and Ideas:
- If White takes on d4 after 5. Nd4 then play Qg5 or Qh4 after White retreats their Knight to e2. You play Qg4 if White's Bishop is hanging on b5. Otherwise you play Qh4.
- It's often a good idea to push your d-pawn to d3 as a positional pawn sacrifice. This disrupts White's development clears the a7-g1 diagonal towards White's King.
- Launch the h-pawn down the board to attack White's King position and open the h-file if possible.
5. e5 Plans and Ideas:
- If White plays 5. e5 after Nd4 then put your Queen on c7 and follow up with Nxf3+ and Qxe5. Then quickly finish development and get your King out of the center.
- Sacrifice your Queen for White's Knight on e4 if necessary.
- Look for opportunities to set up 2 check combos on White's weakened King position.
5. Ne5
- If White plays 5. Ne5 after Nd4 then play Qg5 with the idea to take on g2.
- Don't worry about allowing 2 checks if you get quick development. Black gets a decisive counter attack in return.
Where to put your pieces?
- The Queenside Knight goes to d4.
- The Queen goes to either c7, g5 or even h4 depending on how White plays.
- The Kingside Knight goes to f6 when possible.
- The light squared Bishop often goes on the long diagonal (b7 or c6) but can potentially develop on the c8-h3 diagonal as well.
- The dark squared Bishop goes to e7 or d6 depending on where it will be best.
- The King can castle Kingside, Queenside or stay in the center depending on the situation.
- The Rooks should go wherever they are useful.
3 Check Opening Ideas For Black In the French Sicilian: Part 5 (4. Bc4)
