I have been playing the sicilian dragon variation against e4 for almost a year now.. it is a bit sharp and can lead to some dynamic exchanges but I have enjoyed playing it. It allows for quick attacks and using knights to force things to happen. Granted I am low rated 1400 or so but have thoroughly enjoyed playing the dragon..
B
I recommend you choose a variation of the sicilian defense that you want to play, and study it. Here's a good place to look and find a variation you like:
http://www.ez-net.com/~mephisto/Understanding%20The%20Sicilian%20Defense.html
As for the Lopez, you need to study all of the possible black responses. Or if you wish, you could look for an early deviation and study it, as it would be a lot less theoretical. Here's a good intro site:
http://www.exeterchessclub.org.uk/Openings/ruylopez.html
Hope this helps.
~DrizztD
Forget the Ruy Lopez for two reasons. 1 - It won't let you attack. It's very slow and positional...arguably the slowest, most positional opening in all of chess. 2 - It's a defense to e4 just like the Sicilian, so why bother with both?
I agree with the guy who said take up the Dragon. It's nice because not only is it an attacking defense, but also because the general Dragon setup is playable against so many of white's anti-Sicilian tries and even against random moves. It's theory-heavy, and sharp, but that shouldn't put you off. Probably won't matter too much if you don't know more than a little theory on our side of expert level.
I think wether as black or white in the Ruy, you have to choose a variation that is commensurate with the level you're playing at and I think this means seeking out a variation that deviates from the "mainlines" as early as possible. I like the Centre Attack for white. 1e4 e5 2Nf3 Nc6 3Bb5 a6 4Ba4 Nf6 5 d4...attacking the centre as soon as possible.(This way you will only need lines against Birds and the Schlieman and the Norwegian system....and the Berlin - perhaps you could throw black by transposing into the four knights after 3Bb5 Nf6 4Nc3 )
As black playing the Sicilian, you will need to spend half your time looking at Anti Sicilians. As for your main Siclian choice as black ...well e6 system score very well for intermediate players....
But of course if you play 1e4 you will face the Sicilian at least twice as often as 1...e5 .....
I am an aggressive player and once I develop a couple pieces I want to attack immediately! Playing from white I really enjoy the kings gambit. playing from black I enjoy the pirc defense but become cramped very quickly. Playing the kings gambit I somtimes feel that I lose material fast if I don't play all the right moves. I would like to play the Ruy Lopez and Sicilian defense but everytime I open one of my books or surf the web to read/study about these openings I become so overwelmed by all the different variations they have that I end up confused. Can someone point out a variation for the Ruy Lopez and Sicilian Defense that would be easy for me to learn and stick with please?