Anti-Sicilian

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MalReid

Can anyone give me some suggestions for off-beat (unorthodox) variations to play against the Sicilian? I'm looking for something which is reasonably sound, but hasn't been analysed to death up to umpteen moves.

 

I am currently looking at the following ideas: 

I've been playing the Sicilian Wing Gambit (1.e4 c5 2.b4) with good results, but would like to experiment with something different.

DrawMaster

The Kronberger Variation (2.Na3) and the Myers Attack (2.a4) openings are in the Game Explorer here at chess.com. But as you can readily see by inspection, the number of games given with each of those is far too small to provide a strong perspective on the merits of either (especially the Myers).

However, you will take most opponents by surprise. Indeed, there are two quotes that come to mind: a) "Any opening that doesn't lose outright is playable," and b) "Dubious, therefore playable." Smile

BTW, I avoid the Sicilian from both sides. Tongue out

xstagex

Alapin (2.c3) is the most sound one, and can be seen even in high level games.

bresando

the wing gambit is fun. Another nice idea is to play a sort of improved alapin with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 x 3.c3!? . This avoids black most annoying replies (such as d5 and Nf6) or at least makes W life easier. Unfortunately against 2...d6 this is not tremendously effective, but you can for example try the unusual 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.f3!? idea c4, setting up a marozky bind. B is theoretically fine but W position is easy to play.

Finally you can play the best existing anti-sicilian: the open variation. The fact that it has been analyzed up to move 20 is a problemUndecided? Do you really think that club players will know all the theory as B? In fact they will either deviate very early or follow an immensely difficult mainline they can't even understand which disastrous results.

If you want an active, sound and ambitious anti-sicilian which can be played with little theory, then just play the main line!

EnigmaK9

playing a4 throws away the first move advantage an Na3 looks like a positional inacuraccy to me.

It's not dificult to refute your opening by playing simply and natural moves. I think that you will suffer even more playing this moves than playing the main line which is the most logic and natural continuation of the sicilian.
If you don't want to learn a lot of lines of the open sicilian you could play something stupid like the KIA , which also trows away your advantage with at least compensation obtaining good attacking chances on the kingside.
seriously, you wouldn't obtain a losing position if you castle kingside in any sicilian and play natural moves.
And of course you are going to win more because it's more sound and interesting btw.
Don't know why you play e4 if you don't want fireworks in your position.
e4 is tactics, if you fear to play a very tactical position like the dragon, sveshnikov, najdorf,  closed spanish with Bb7  (omg almost everything), and you are searching  ways to avoid this positions, better switch to d4, which theory is only to prove that white position is better and could be better, and if you make a mistake on d4 is less possible that you will lose by a tactic and could still play for a draw ( not true always)

AKJett

I always play alapin, if Nf6 e5, if D5 takes

MalReid

I was thinking 2.c3 to be a bit too orthodox. The fact that 2.Na3 and 2.a4 haven't been played mush is the kind of thing I'm looking for. I don't fear the Sicilian or playing into well known lines. I just like to play unorthodox openings sometimes, to explore uncharted terrain. If that can also confuse the opponent then that's a bonus.

 

I have found some videos on YouTube where Peter Lalic (DraganLalic) gives several games where he's played 2.Na3, and I've found --> (this) on 2.a4

joni808

I really like the Morra Gambit

 

tigerbaitlsu

There are 5 good anti sicilians

The Grand Prix attack

The Closed Sicilian

The Alapin variation

The Rossolimo variation

Smith Morra Gambit

All you need to learn is two of those and your set. :)

( My fav are the Closed Sicilian + Smith Morra Gambit ) 

beginner7196

2...Nc6 3.Bb5

2...d6 3.Bb5+

2...e6 3.g3

RussBell
tigerbaitlsu wrote:

There are 5 good anti sicilians

The Grand Prix attack

The Closed Sicilian

The Alapin variation

The Rossolimo variation

Smith Morra Gambit

All you need to learn is two of those and your set. :)

( My fav are the Closed Sicilian + Smith Morra Gambit ) 

I agree.

Fighting the Sicilian With The Grand Prix Attack...

https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/fighting-the-sicilian-with-the-grand-prix-attack

check the videos by Hanging Pawns and GothamChess...

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=anti+sicilian+openings

 

epicironman
I enjoy playing the Smith-Morra gambit as it completely catches the opponent off guard and makes them have to rethink their entire game plan. It also has been analyzed enough where it is easy to learn theory about it but it hasn’t been analyzed to death.