Sicilian Defense
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Nf3
Open is the Best reply. Anti Sicilians are the most practical.
3.d4
Jun 19, 2008
0
#6
I have a question, seriously about the Sicilian. Is there any variation where Black can provide ample counterattacking possibilities quickly? I have been playing the French recently and doing well with quick counterattacks and not castling, but is this possible in the Sicilian as well? Or should I just stick to the trusty 1...e6?
Jun 19, 2008
0
#7
I view the Taimanov variation 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 pxp 4.Nxp Nc6 as a sort of improved French. Delchev wrote a nice book called "Safest Sicillian" about it. I used to play the French, so against "Anti" lines can use French lines, and gradually replace with more aggressive sicillian lines, i.e 3.c3 d5 then 4pxp pxp Tarrasch with extra option of Bb6 or 4e5 advance french with option d5-d4, replace eventually with 3...Nf6 lines.
2.d4
Jun 19, 2008
0
#9
Seriously, if you want to avoid the Sicilian play 1.d4. If you insist on 1. e4 the best weapon against the Sicilian in the ML Open variations, its also the most work. How much time do you have to work on it? Failing that try any of the following:
Feeling adventerous? like gambits? Play the Morra 1. e4 c5 2. d4
Want to move away from standard lines quickly? Alapin 1. e4 c5 2. c3
Other lines that work: Closed 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 and Moscow/Rosslisimo 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ or 2...Nc6 3. Bb5
I don't recommend the Grand Prix 1. e4 c5 2. f4 other there are others that do.
For Birdbrain: The Sicilian is mainly about counter attacking, usually much quicker than the French. In the Main lines look at Dragon, Acc Dragon, Najdorf and Sveshnikov. Start another forum post for the question as Black.
To All: An excellent overview book on the Sicilian is Starting out: the Sicilian by John Emms, published by Everyman Chess. It doesn't to real deep but it will give you a handle on all the basic lines.
I like to play the Alapin.
Jun 19, 2008
0
#11
I have a book on the Sveshnikov Sicilian, but the positions are absolutely mad.
You havnt seen Botvinnik variation of the Seni-Slav if you call Sveshnikov mad!
Jun 19, 2008
0
#13
northsea wrote:
You havnt seen Botvinnik variation of the Seni-Slav if you call Sveshnikov mad!
I have seen the variation (don't know all the lines, but I think it is something like this)
Best reply to 11.exf6 is 11....Bb7(!) which leaves White with weak f6 pawn 
The open sicilian is the most critical.
As far as anti-sicilians go, I think the moscow and rossolimo variations are the best of the bunch.
ericmittens wrote:
The open sicilian is the most critical.
As far as anti-sicilians go, I think the moscow and rossolimo variations are the best of the bunch.
How do they go?
Moscow = 1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+
Rossolimo = 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
edit: Here is a short clip from chessbase magazine 118 where Sergei Tiviakov goes over a bit of his game using the moscow variation.
http://www.chessbase.com/shop/images/cbm118/CBM118%20English.wmv
I play the morra-smith gambit, theoretically not the best, but it's sound. It gives white good winning chances.
Play something similar against all Sicilians such as the English Attack or a classical Be2.
As mentioned already, white's theoretical best against the Sicilian is the Open Sicilian (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 (or Nc6) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4). However, this has the drawback of allowing your opponent to play whatever variation they want, and you need to be prepared for all the major lines.
I play the Smith-Morra Gambit (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3). It's just as aggressive and attacking as the Open lines (even if declined!), and it avoids having to learn all the Open lines, but at the cost of a pawn. If you're aggressive enough, you shouldn't reach an endgame where that pawn would matter, anyway.
If you want a safer, more positional anti-Sicilian line, I'd say go with the Alapin (2. c3).
--Fromper
What do you think is the best reply by WHITE to the Sicilian Defense? (If you're going to insert long lines, please use diagrams)
thanks.