Ben1971 wrote:
I was wondering if this is a good way to attack the Sicillian or if other openings (like the Scotch) typically make more sense?
Are you refering to moves such as 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 followed by 3.Bc4?
Giuoco Piano against the Sicilian
Sort:
If you're in a Sicilian, you can't play the Giuoco Piano or the Scotch, simply because those names refer only to the moves 3.Bc4 and 3.d4 in the exact position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6. If you play Bc4 in some other position, that doesn't make it a Giuoco Piano.
In the Sicilian, 2.Nf3 and 3.d4 is called the Open Sicilian. It is the most popular, especially at top levels, but there are many different ways for Black to play, so it can be a lot of work if you intend to learn some theory on all of them. This leads to very sharp play. Black has some long term advantages, but in the short term White has more space and more pieces out so White must attack. Not easy to play.
Bc4 (without going into the Open first) is rare. It's not necessarily bad, although that depends on Black's second move. 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bc4 doesn't make much sense, since White's bishop can't do much on that diagonal with the pawn e6 there. after 2...d6 it looks better because ...e6 leaves Black's pawn d6 a little weak, after 2...Nc6 I wouldn't play it because Black can play ...e6 again.
All this is just very generic though. Not much theory here.
I recommend 2.c3.
2. c3 is the Alapin.
And if you play Bc4 vs. Sicilian it is called the Bowdler and it’s so bad because of e6. Against intermediate players that play the Bowdler you play 2… e6 3. Nc3 a6 4. a4 Nc6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. e5 Ng4 7. Oe2 Qc7, and you win a pawn out of the opening.
@5
"it is called the Bowdler" ++ Yes.
"it’s so bad because of e6" ++ No. Example:
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2211621
tygxc wrote:
@5
"it is called the Bowdler" ++ Yes.
"it’s so bad because of e6" ++ No. Example:
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2211621
This is exactly the game that inspired me to play this line. The good thing is that the positions have many pieces on the board so that you can always outplay your opponent. With that said some detailed analysis on your own is needed to play against the mainline with e6.
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4
- 1.e4 c5 Nf3 g6 3.Bc4
I wouldn't recommend Bc4 against the e6-Sicilian though as Black is perfectly positioned to neutralize Bc4.
I was wondering if this is a good way to attack the Sicillian or if other openings (like the Scotch) typically make more sense?