Sicilian 2. Ne2

Hello. I am not sure of a response best fitting in my repertoire after 1. e4 c5 2. Ne2

I am a Dragon player thus it might seem logical to play 2...d6, however if White plays g3-Bg2-d3-0-0 I am in an unfamiliar position.

That position resembles a bit the one after:

The main difference is the Knight being on e2 rather than f3. When the Knight is on f3 and Black has no pawn on e6 Black can play Bg4 to strengthen control over d4. The bishop on g2 is blocked so the b7-b5 push is easier to make.
That is why it's not recommended to play in KIA style versus Black setups without e6. 

Anyway, so, after 1. e4 c5 2. Ne2 shall I just play 2. d6 and hope for a transposition to an Open Sicilian and just learn some ideas about 3. g3, since it's pretty rare anyway?
 

Would rather not play 2...Nc6 because after 3 Nbc3 White can still go for d4 and I am in unfamiliar territory. So I guess I have to choose between 2...d6 and 2...g6

Found out that I can transpose to a position discussed in The Modern Tiger.

The line you are having problems with.

Is a line I have been saying for years which is so Boss!

Its the Chameleon

I am a huge fan!!

I think that when white chooses the Chameleon 2.Ne2 the idea is to push soon f4 and support e5!

8.h3 doesn't offer anything because white's bishop on e3 worth carbage anyway.

It's by far the most popular move, though. A lot of players also use 2. Ne2 to play a little peek-a-boo; see what kind of Sicilian Black plays.

Seems like one option open to White would be to play a Botvinnik system through this move order?

I guess that's possible, yes (I had to look up what that system was, learned a new thing today so thanks for that). Do you think you can provide a variation? I pay close attention to move orders and this one is one of the most challenging in my entire repertoire !

Hi to all chess friends.

I play this 2.Ne2 4-5 years at least.This move its against d6 sicilijan.Its very interesting idea and I won a lot of beautifull games...I can post some games if you whant?

Hello yes please do that, could be very instructive.

I'm not familiar with the lines, but 1. e4 c5 2. Ne2 and if 2...d6 it seems White can play 3. c4 with the intention of a Botvinnik setup, 3...e5 seems to be best?  Just looking for some games.

Gelfand beating Magnus in a blitz

http://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3752989

@ post number 3

I do not like some of the moves on post 3.

I believe inaccuracy's were made for both sides.

I believe 6.d4 could be seen as an inaccuracy for white.

I like the move 6.c3  which unleashes an idea of having 2 pawns in the center.

I believe if white plays 6.d4 black should take the pawn with 6...cxd4 breaking up the dou pawns.

If black plays 6...0-0 which I think is an inaccuracy.

White should proceed with 7.c3 making sure if black ever captures. White can recapture with a pawn to again have 2 pawns in the center.

I do not like the move 7.Nbc3 I believe it is an inaccuracy.

I believe the continuation which were shown after that is of a sub-par variation.

If I was to play the line out. I would play it out like the below diagram.

I believe white is doing good in the above continuation.

In fact, I kind of wonder if black should allow this to happen.

Perhaps black needs to resort to desperate measures.

Instead of 7...Nbd7 maybe black needs to play 7...e5 which shuts down the dark bishop.

However, at least they are hitting d4 hard.

Letting white get 2 pawns in the center side by side is a recipe for disaster.

Maybe the damage has been done previously.

Maybe black should not even play 6...0-0.

Maybe black should play 6...Nc6 when facing 6.c3 which carry's the threat of 7.d4.

All I know is I would rather be white in the above diagram at the top.

In post 3 the move orders may vary as the original version was played in a Modern move order, however after 8...Rb8 Black stands well.

I think you can also tranpose into English Botvinnik Attack with c4 after e4 and Ne2, not sure about move orders tho.

1 e4 c5 2 Ne2 d6 3 g3 Nf6 4 Bg2 g6 is a certain/set starting point for me. Then White can play 5 Nbc3 (105 games), 5 c3 (28 games) or 5 0-0 (10 games). From that point on I can submit to change.

Nbc3 and 0-0 usually transpose leaving only c3, possible on various moves, as independent.

Interesting fact: 3 Nbc3 has 754 games and 3 g3 has 348 games. After 3 g3 Nf6, 4 Nbc3 has 340 games and 4 Bg2 has 67 games. So it seems actually quite rare to keep c3 available.

Then 5 c3 is something to look into as well as 5 0-0 Bg7 6 c3

I don't like to play Nc6 because Nbd7 and Rb8 is my prefered setup. 

OK your set position.

If I was white I would play 5.0-0. I believe castle is the best move.

If white plays 5.Nbc3 I would respond with 5...Nc6 which is the below diagram.

Your position should be reasonable because you maintain a grip on d4.

If white plays d4 take everything that lands on d4 the pawn and the knight.

Exchanging off one minor piece is fine for you because your more cramped than white.

I believe black is doing reasonable in the above position.

If white plays 5.c3 I would respond with 5...Qa5 which is the below position.

Which will exploit the fact white did not castle.

If they follow up with d4 than the c3 pawn will be pinned.

Thus, Preventing them to recapture with a pawn.

Stopping them from having 2 pawns in the center.

Yeah I believe 5.0-0 is the more critical continuation for black.

After 5 0-0 I respond with 5...Bg7, then if 6 Nbc3 0-0 7 d4 Nbd7 I am in my prefered setup. 7 d3 Nc6 unimpresses me for White.

So 5 0-0 Bg7 6 c3 I have yet to make a plan. 

In your given positions; I avoid Nc6 unless Nbd7 is really inferior. I will first play Bg7 and 0-0 and then see if Nbd7 gets me my pref setup.