- you don't want to play the open
- you want to keep options of playing closed or open
- you want to avoid some lines
- why not?
2 Nc3 or Nf3 in Sicilian?
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I'll be more blunt than usual.
What are the reasons to play 2.Nc3 instead of 2.Nf3 (on a regular basis I mean, once in a blue moon is ok I guess)?
Fear and laziness.
petrip wrote:
Or just that there is less theory for NC3 and very few recreational players want/can invest huge amount in studying. And there are weak player who study mostly opening traps, so to throw them off.
Also most recreational players do not study any openings, so dunno second move makes any difference.
White can play 2.Nf3, then after 2...d6/...Nc6/...e6, 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 4...Nf6/...Nc6 5.Nc3 followed by either Be2 and 0-0, or Be3, f3, Qd2, 0-0-0 against just about everything.
Really, there's no excuse. Yeah, there's a ton of Sicilian theory, but the amount of it that players really need to know is overstated.
I like 2.c3. I play 2.c3. But has it refuted the Sicilian?
| 2.c3 | 23,325 |
|
I prefer 2.Nf3. It leads to more complicated positions, but I like the attack you get from this line as white ! In the other hand, in most positions with 2.Nc3 white pushes his pawns on the King's side, while black does the same in the Queen's side! In both 2.Nc3 and 2.Nf3 white has a powerful attack in the King's side, but I prefer The Open Sicilian, cause I like open games !!
2.Nc3 is a fine move. It's been played by many world champions. It develops a piece, controls d5 and keeps options open.
It's usually the start of a plan involving g3 and Bg2 (the Closed Sicilian) or f4 (the Grand Prix Attack). Both 2.g3 and 2.f4 would be answered by 2...d5, so 2.Nc3 first is prudent.
But it can also be a move order trick, to see what black answers before just playing 3.Nf3 and 4.d4. Gives some extra options and takes a few away.
2.Nc3 does block the c-pawn, so lines with an early c3 or c4 are ruled out.
baddogno wrote:
I like 2.c3. I play 2.c3. But has it refuted the Sicilian?
2.c3 23,325 33.6% 34.1% 32.3%Seems like a normal opening with those stats. Nothing special, but I really hate that drawing chance from the black side. What does 2...Nf6 say?
Anyway, here's a game worth studying from either side, I don't play 2.c3 as white so I'm more interesting in finding winning chances for black:
Roeczak wrote:
lol i said that tongue-in-cheek obviously
Not that obvious actually. You need a bit more hyperbole in your post. Now a second line "And that's why the Sicilian is rarely seen at the highest levels nowadays" would have done it. Otherwise how do I know you're not some middleschooler sleeping with a copy of Sveshnikov's The Complete C3 Sicilian under his pillow? You have to hit people over the head with your posts mate or they won't get it. 
The other day someone was ranting about the unfairness of the rating system and made a silly suggestion or two. I offered up that in addition we should be able to choose between rated and unrated after the conclusion of the game and a number of people took me seriously! Even that was too subtle...
I know 2 Nf3 is more popular but what would be some reasons to play 2 Nc3 instead?