Sicilian Defense for Under 1600 elo player

Hey @Nazunavampire! 👋

You bring up a really good point—there’s a lot of theory in the Sicilian, especially in the main lines like the Najdorf or Dragon. It can be a bit overwhelming for newer players trying to juggle development and memorization at the same time 😅

That said, there are a few simplified versions of the Sicilian that can be beginner-friendly—like the Sicilian Closed or even the Grand Prix Attack (as White vs. the Sicilian), which don’t require too much theory but still teach some useful attacking ideas.

Agree that system-based openings like the King’s Indian or the London System are great for learning structure and plans instead of trying to memorize tons of moves.

So yeah—Sicilian can be a beast, but if someone loves the style, there are ways to dip a toe in without going full Najdorf right away! 💪

The fact the opponent doesn't know the main line is good. It makes your job easy.

There are like 13 different mainline sicilians black can play. Some of them are commonly played, others are very rare. You can play the sicilian in just about any way you want. If you want to avoid theory.... you can do that.

You can do the same in the anti-sicilian lines, too - plenty of room for deviation.

If someone with not much time (or no love of extensive learning, or who feels that at their grade many nuances will pass them by), but wants to play the Sicilian as Black, there is something to be said for dabbling with the Basman-Sale variation. The book on it is even called, "The Lazy Man's Sicilian" (Bronznik and Giddins). Google Books has some sample pages. Of course, Black also has to deal with Closed Sicilian and Anti-Sicilian systems. And that's a different kettle of halibut.

e6 is my favorite line against the Closed Sicilian. 
If you don't mind playing a french advanced or exchange it does well against the Alapin too. I feel those lines are anathema due to the boredom factor, but they're easy to learn.

In my own experience, 2..., e6 is also the move which people who specialise in the White side of the Closed Sicilian often least enjoy seeing: they usually have some "pet" "clever" scheme against things like a K-side fianchetto, but 2..., e6 is simply "having the first move -v- genuine solidity" for White. Of course, some of them play very well indeed in such positions - I am not out to say the 2..., e6 line is "best" per se.

Fun fact: there is a lot of theory in every opening, especially in the main lines.

Newer players usually play 1. e4 e5, and there's a lot of theory in those openings, more than in anything else.

Newer players can easily "juggle development and memorization": just don't memorize anything. It's an awful idea to memorize openings.

For a very easy starting out sicilian I actually would recommend the nimzowitsch sicilian. Since it's a move-2 sicilian you won't have to worry about all the move 3 / 4 / 5 anti-sicilians. Also, it can transpose into the Alapin so you pretty much have that handled. Then you can transpose the Smith Morra into the Alapin... It ends up being a very compact repertoire. That's if you are having issues with the number of anti-sicilians you need to deal with.

Then you can gradually broaden your theory, learn how to deal with the move-2 anti-sicilians, and transition to something else. If you know the french... french sicilian is a good option.

As far as the best anti-sicilian 2nd move though, I think 2... d6 is it. The delayed alapin there is extremely weak. The Moscow isn't too testing either, and with the Bd7 line it's very compact. Also the anti-chekhover move order avoids any move-4 or move-5 anti-sicilians.
It's not as good against the Closed Sicilian as e6 is, but if you're a Najdorf player I'd recommend an early a6 against the Closed and it's still fine.

Most importantly there is no boredom after e6 against the Closed.
I have to play Nc6 though, for open line transposition reasons. I considered learning the Kan wing attack just to be able to play the e6 line though. It's relatively forcing. I might still do that.

There's also this odd improved scheveningen which is practically never played. Keres attack is much weaker against it -

OP same with Ruy Lopez lol

This topic has come up before. I disagree with the recommendation that newcomers should avoid the Sicilian.

When I was starting to play chess competitively, I read a book that recommended the Dragon Sicilian for new players. Why? The themes are clear: control of the long diagonal, pressure along the c-file, minority attack. These ideas are important no matter what variation white plays.

of course there is much theory. But the specific moves will still revolve around the main themes. Yes, Black will get crushed by opponents who are more familiar with theory (I remember the first times that I encountered and lost to the Yugoslav and the Levenfisch Attacks). But that is how you learn!

same thing with the Najdorf Sicilian. There is a huge amount of theory in this line. But my previous point holds here as well. Black’s play in almost every variation involves the same themes: pressure along the c-file, maintaining the small center, and a queenside minority attack.

A beginner will be outplayed by a more experienced opponent most of the time. Avoiding sharp lines just means that the loss may take a few more moves. Losing in 20 moves is no different from losing in 40 moves.

Play actively. Go for a counterattack. You will beat more higher rated players that way. You will also have more fun.

Wowwowowow

This thread needs immediate Clarification.

How does the OP Define a Beginner?

The OP said players below 1,600 ELO shouldn’t learn the Sicilian.

Then said Beginners shouldn’t learn the Sicilian.

————————————

It’s impossible for me to give my answer with out clarification or context.

I consider a Beginner a player with rating between 1,000 to 1,300.

I consider a Intermediate a player with ratings between 1,400 to 1,700.

———————————

Observe the OP first statement:

If you are under 1600 elo and wants to learn a chess opening such as the Sicilian Defense then don't just don't learn Sicilian defense it's not for beginners

What does it mean?

Does the OP think everyone is a Beginner below 1600?

Certainly seems like it to me.

I find myself in a difficult situation here.

I think beginners should “NOT” learn the Sicilian because I think their plate is full. They have enough stuff to learn as a beginner with out needing to burden themselves with more complications.

I think intermediate players “SHOULD” learn the Sicilian because they need to broaden their knowledge. A intermediate player is a strong minded chess player who has excelled pass the basics. The intermediate players mind is starving for more complex & complicated positions to feed the chess beast lurking within them.

So what would the OP call a 1,450 player?

I would call them intermediate.

I think everyone would call you a noob for using commas in elo.

Agree with everything else though

If you're under 1600 elo, skip the Sicilian—too much theory for beginners. Try system-based openings like the King's Indian instead. Frlegendsmodi agrees, keep it simple and practical for now!

Very poor advice in my view. Regardless of your rating you should start with the Sicilian. Don`t waste years of your life learning an opening you will later discard. The Sicilian offers black the biggest winning chances and teaches you most about chess in general out of all the responses to 1e4. (unlike the Caro, the French etc)