Looking for Sicilian recomendation for white
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I'm rated around 1200 on here, so I'm still very much a beginner. I'm trying to learn a few key lines in all the most common openings and, more importantly, the key themes that show up, and so far this has been very easy and useful. But then I got to the Sicilian, and it's just too much theory for my level. I'm thinking of going with some kind of anti-Sicilian or side setup, such as the Grand Prix attack. Is it sound? A book I'm reading recommends it, but the book seems a bit outdated. All the games are from 20 years ago. Any recommendations for somebody at my level? C5 is the only opening that strikes discomfort in me, and I want to feel confident I know what is going on instead of feeling weird about the positions that arise.
The open sicilian is more theory-heavy but I doubt your opponents will know much more theory than you. That being said yes anti-sicilians are a possibility... grand prix is very decent... So is Alapin and Rossolimo... if you're feeling like something a little sharper you can even try smith-morra gambit or wing gambit, but if you think the grand prix is for you and want to give it a try by all means go for it
alapin is probably simplest and easiest to understand.
Alapin 1 e4 c5 2 c3
Delayed Alapin 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 c3 Nf6 4 Be2 Nc6 5 d4
Closed Sicilian 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 g3
Grand Prix 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 f4
I believe that the Grand Prix Attack is just winning - as simple as that. You now have 2 variations - the Jones, and the GingerGM. I'd go with Jones - sounds more like a winner to me.
All jokes aside, positionally speaking, e4 + f4 is very strong, especially when e4 is supported by d3.
But beware of the Black mamba! [=queen]:
hgooddy25 wrote:
I'm rated around 1200 on here, so I'm still very much a beginner. I'm trying to learn a few key lines in all the most common openings and, more importantly, the key themes that show up, and so far this has been very easy and useful. But then I got to the Sicilian, and it's just too much theory for my level. I'm thinking of going with some kind of anti-Sicilian or side setup, such as the Grand Prix attack. Is it sound? A book I'm reading recommends it, but the book seems a bit outdated. All the games are from 20 years ago. Any recommendations for somebody at my level? C5 is the only opening that strikes discomfort in me, and I want to feel confident I know what is going on instead of feeling weird about the positions that arise.
I'd personally recommend Cristoph Selecki's choice in his Keep it Simple e4 book.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3
I don't think you need to be afraid of "theory" at your level. Your opponents won't be booked up, and if they are it won't really help them much... I think you will learn the most by playing the open Sicilian. Positions with 0-0-0 and a pawn storm against the king are playable against many Sicilians (Najdorf, Dragon, Classical) are fun and not that hard to play.
That said, most Anti-Sicilians are solid, but they follow a mindset of avoidance. And it might be more interesting to learn something before considering avoiding it. 
Solmyr1234 wrote:
I believe that the Grand Prix Attack is just winning - as simple as that. You now have 2 variations - the Jones, and the GingerGM. I'd go with Jones - sounds more like a winner to me.
All jokes aside, positionally speaking, e4 + f4 is very strong, especially when e4 is supported by d3.
But beware of the Black mamba! [=queen]:
The GP Attack is definitely not winning that’s for sure
Karpov had a systematic way to play the white side of open Sicilians [ Nc3, Be2, OO, f4, Kh1, Be3 [and a3 after black's b4 or a4 before it] then build up a King side attack by means like g4, g5 of f5 or e5 depending.] One way would be to study his games and copy his approach. It worked well for him over many years and was more or less the same vs most Sicilians.
#10 he wants to know what to do on move 2 of the game! It has to be very important. You don't want to figure out as you go a sharp position that your opponent knows better than you
I fully agree with #10, there is really nothing to add to that.
You may as well go for the Open Sicilian, everyone under 2600 really can't play it worth a damn anyhow. Have fun!
Fighting the Sicilian With The Grand Prix Attack...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/fighting-the-sicilian-with-the-grand-prix-attack
As a Sicilian player myself, I find the Rossolimo Variation to be the most challenging. What's funny is that on Lichess.org, I think I won. almost all the games where the Grand Prix was played against me.
DrSpudnik wrote:
You may as well go for the Open Sicilian, everyone under 2600 really can't play it worth a damn anyhow. Have fun!
That is pretty much correct. I would go with the closed sicilian and NC3, with BE3,
ChesswithNickolay wrote:
DrSpudnik wrote:
You may as well go for the Open Sicilian, everyone under 2600 really can't play it worth a damn anyhow. Have fun!
I mean as black
Black, White, it doesn't matter.
Just play the Open Sicilian. Sure it is theoretical but you will learn a lot if you stick with it than some tricks only Anti-Sicilians. It gets you familiar with the pawn structures and gaining experience with them
I'd usually go for Grand Prix. A lot of great attacking ideas with the open f file and instructive moments on how to create strong kingside attacks. Although it is pretty much irrelevant at top level play, it works pretty well at the intermediate level and advanced level. Give it a shot.
You know the best part what I do against siciliian is just avoid it by playing my favourite first move 1.d4
Go for quuen gambit, catalan Or trompowsky like me and yes this is also carlsens top three choices with 1 d4