How do I start learning the Sicilian?

Ive avoided looking up the sicilian as long as I could. Im just a little tired of running the french over and over. And Im trying to move away from playing more solid/positional to a little more aggressive and dynamic. The Alekhine is fun once in awhile, but not reliable. Thus, I think its time I have to dive into the labyrinth of theory of the sicilian.

Where do I begin? Any good videos? Or maybe does someone have some basic knowledge to start me off?

Also, Ive played the Kan variation a bunch of times. Just out of the french when they play 2.Nf3 instead of pushing with d4. But that seems a little shaky to run with. And again I really dont know what Im doing with it. I just try some fishing pole cheese and hope for the best.

Do you already got any idea about which particular variation you want to play?

Start by learning the classical sicilian.  It was the easiest for me not to mess up when learning how to play the sicilian.

watch garry kasparov play it 

the accelerated dragon variation is often said to be very powerful

I dont know which variation because Im not familiar with the concepts/ideas of the sicilian in general

Just push 1...c5 and go from there, my love. I suggest playing without looking at a book....and, i.e., ask yourself ?'s like "Why take ?" when white plays d4. Be aggressive, it's gonna be exciting !....Best of Luck....Lola

Here's some basic first moves stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MHicEPcn3c

Dereque Kelley gives a great intro to the siclian main ideas.

try the sicilian in your games and pick a siclian variation

(najdorf,  dragon, sveshnikov sicilian... whatever )

have fun!

In the open sicilian (when the c and d Pawns get exchanged at d4) the most critical square is d5. If White can dominate this square, he usually gets an advantage. Conversely, when Black commands this square and can safely advance his d-Pawn to d5, he often equalizes or takes control of the game.

Black should not be in a hurry to play d6-d5, though, because any premature opening of the game will only favor White, who is better developed and more mobile.

White's tactics in the Sicilian often revolve around the light-square complex d5/e6/f5; while the light-square c4 is an important Knight-outpost for Black, since it can be backed up by the open c-file and by a Pawn at b5.

I used to play the Sicilian from both sides (White and Black) in OTB tournaments. Would you like me to post a few games in that opening?

I think it would be beneficial to anyone looking to play it or currently playing it to see how someone as skilled as yourself plays it if you would not mind posting those games.

I know the feeling, I avoid it like the plague :) but have a look at this chess mentor lesson, it's great for getting a feel of some of the main Sicilian principles for both Black and White. You get to play a whole middle game as Magnus Carlsen (and win of course), it's a very long lesson and good fun.

http://www.chess.com/chessmentor/view_course?id=458

You might get a bit of benefit from it, but not a lot. The lost emu has a very high online rating, but without extensive annotation, you or I are unlikely to easily grasp the reasons for the moves made much past the opening.

Personally, I hate the Sicilian. I never play it. I prefer C-K or Scandinavian. Against it, I take Fisher's advice...open up the h-file and sac. Which seems to work around my own standard.

There is a book How To Play The Sicilian Defense by Levy/O'Connell. Its a very good basic book on starting out with the Sicilian. It is broken down by formation and has something to say about both sides. I highly recommend it as a first book on the Sicilian. It gives more the ideas instead of variations so it is much easier to comprehend.

Just leave the gun and take the cannoli.

As I'm just trying to learn the Kan (I also bought this book: http://www.everymanchess.com/chess/books/Play_the_Sicilian_Kan%3A_A_dynamic_and_flexible_repertoire_for_Black ), I've found at my level that not that many e4 players I've faced go for the Open Sicilian, the Closed Sicilian is more common. So at the moment, this book was put on the back burner as I was looking at the QGD from the black side.

So I'd say as black if playing the Kan/Taimanov/Paulsen Sicilian first figure out something for:

1) Closed Sicilian (I aim for something like e6, g6, Nc6 and Nge7 and then I guess ...f5 has to be worked towards)

2) Alapin (I go 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 which fits nicely with the Kan)

3) Morra Gambit (I decline with 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Nf6)

4) Something against 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4

In addition, knowing about the Benoni structures and some of the symmetrical English structures can prove helpful-this is something I need to look at next...

Thanks for the kind words, but I should caution you that my play is certainly not a model of soundness and accuracy. When I play the Sicilian, my usual goal is to (1) enjoy the game, and (2) to try and lead the opponent into a jungle of variations where the path is only wide enough for one player. Hopefully, my opponent will be the one to wander off the path and get lost, rather than me.

I can start with a rather simple (and rather unsound) game that illustrates White's common tactical opportunities on the light-squares d5, e6 and f5.

Want another?

I enjoy playing the sicilian. (If you would like to send me an unrated challenge, we could discuss the game as we go. The moment you have a question about a move, plan or idea, just ask. I think I only accept challenges from people on my friends list, so just send me a request, I'll accept and then you can send me the unrated challenge.)

Thanks for the help. After checking out a few videos... Am I high for NOT wanting to play the sicilian anymore? And even looking at the game blueemu posted. White is wayyy ahead in development, and attacking chances. I feel like anyone who plays the dragon can get absolutely ripped apart in no time. The Najdorf seems a little better, but even then, the lack of development does not seem like enough compensation for gaining the center pawns. Of course Ive only looked at those two variations, and as I type this Ive yet to try out a single game in the sicilian. Just my thoughts going forward. Ill probably go watch some kasparov or fischer games later, regardless of if I get shredded in my games Ill play tonight.

Chances to play the Sicilian properly without first understanding the classical open positions to some depth are approximately zero. At best you will learn some book lines by heart, and after your book knowledge is over, you will badly mishandle them.

And what should I be doing instead then