Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack

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robinting

Good day to all readers, 

I've recently investigated the opening and found it to be very aggressive. However, there are not many masters who play this opening. I can't see why 2.Bc4 is not a good move, can anyone tell me why?

my137thaccount
robinting wrote:

Good day to all readers, 

I've recently investigated the opening and found it to be very aggressive. However, there are not many masters who play this opening. I can't see why 2.Bc4 is not a good move, can anyone tell me why?

The simple reason is that the bishop doesn't belong there at this stage, so it's not 'aggressive' but rather a bit of a mistake. It can be kicked away with both e6+d5 and a6+b5. In the Sicilian the bishop is only moved to c4 if black has already shown his hand, for example in the Dragon black has already played g6 so won't play e6.

robinting

Thank you very much !

BeastBoy06

I agree with @my137thaccount in the sense that, yes, the Sicilian Bowdler is a mistake. The light-squared bishop does not belong on c4 ONLY if Black has decided his pawn placement (e6, g6, a6 and b5, or e6 and a6). After all, there is the Sozin Variation in the Najdorf (with Bc4). But the Bowdler Attack is TRASH with all caps.

poucin

I wouldn't trust someone giving a line in sicilian whose the name is SicilianIs4Noobs...