@1
"I've never been good at Sicilian defense" ++ Analyse your lost games.
"Oh, I'm going to lose because I don't know this." ++ Chess is not about knowing, but about thinking. If you do not know what to do, then think and apply logic.
"Q1: Various Gambits from Sicilian Defense" ++ Gambits are no good.
"Q2: Sicilian Defense Main Line"
++ That is objectively the strongest, but 2 Nc3, 2 f4, 2 c3 ar good as well and also 3 Bb5(+).
I play Smith Morra against the Sicilian. Lots of people knock it, and I’ve never seen any of the top pros play it. But it’s fun and seems fine for amateurs like me.
What 2nd move do masters play that is 2nd best?
Let's ask the lichess Masters Database. Tools, Analysis Board.
Closed Sicilian (not Grand Prix - that's a cheap trick. cheap!). A Spassky favorite.
* (Alapin not far behind, btw: 40k master games in Closed Sicilian vs. 34.5k master games in Alapin)
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What 3rd move do the masters do that is 2nd best? (with the safe assumption that your opponent has played either 2...d6, 2...e6 or 2...Nc6)
Against 2...d6: Moscow Variation.
Against 2...e6: Delayed Alapin.
Against 2...Nc6: Rossolimo. (same move as Moscow)
play d4, take with the queen and castle queenside. If your queen gets attacked, move it to e3, then attack their king with f3, g4, h4
Closed Sicilian or Grand Prix Attack.
It’s better to go for Grand Prix Attack once they have committed their d pawn.
I've never been good at Sicilian defense, and when I was playing against a computer, I gave up thinking, "Oh, I'm going to lose because I don't know this." And when I play online and get Sicilian defense, I always lose my chance of winning. What should I do?
Q1: Various Gambits from Sicilian Defense
Q2: Sicilian Defense Main Line
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