Sicilian or e5?

Thankls again to all who continue to post. I am learning a lot, and now that I will be playing Sicilian, I Ned specific variations. All posts would help. Variations for white to defend against the Sicilian and variations for black to give it an advantage. Once again, thanks to all who haven posted. It would be very helpful if u know the name of the variation, or have a video link so I can see it and how it can be played out. Tanks to all, and let's not gave any arguments. :)

The Sicilian Kan.. my .02  Se my previous post for a link

I prefer The Sicilian over the e5.

Have to say i am still learning as in games no problem.

But in Vote Chess have encountered some situations in various games and lost badly play against it. The using(Najdorf) it not sure as the team went in different direction than i would like. Result....lost that game to same team back to back.

One thing i did learn it takes more studying to learn it than any other opening.

after  1. e4 must play 1. ...c5.  This avoids  1. e4  e5  2. Nf3  Nc6 3. c3!

The dreaded Ponziani Opening! 

If one is going to play the Sicilian, you better have a very good tactical eye and lots of time to study because there are tons of theory behind the opening. Anyway, it is a good opening just not for everyone as it does give Black plenty of fighting chances. I rather use the Scandinavian and go with my tactical ability than to try and remember lines and lines of theory; so I guess my opinion is to play what you know best because you will know it more than trying to play something you will not have time to study. 

If you want to be a pro someday, maybe investing time studying the Sicilian will be worth it, otherwise, probably not.

The Ponziani is a great opening... for Black.

There is no argument in sight when Black is totally equal after just five moves (3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 ed4 5.e5 Nd5).

After 1. e4, black plays 1...c5. This avoids 2. Qh5, the dreaded Parham Attack!

In serious reply to IM pfren: There is no argument in sight that the game is fully equalized  after the moves:

1. e4  e5 or the moves 1. d4 Nf6 or 1. e4  e5 2. Nf3  or 1.c4  e5  or 1. e4  c5

or 1. c4  or 1. Nf3  or 1. g3  or 1. g3  d5 or just about any  reasonable one or two or three moves one can recite as the game of chess itself is a draw.

There used to be another equalizing line that just about all the masters and grandmasters used to dismiss this opening. However I studied the line and came up with a very good continuation for White.

So, they are no longer saying that line equalizes. There are several lines against the Ponziani which are said to equalize. I am in a group, Ponziani Power, and we will play vote chess against any other group and some of these lines will be played. Chess evolves and chess openings evolve.

But one thing about chess that will never change is that the game itself is a draw from the very first move-with best play from both sides.

If someone gives an equalizing move sequence which equalizes against the Ponziani Opening--it will not be a "very simple equalizing line"

Chess is more complicated than that.

Save your bother, pfren. About a year or two ago there was a huge upswelling of threads on the Ponziani much along the lines of the Parham mania sweeping the threads. The antidotes to the Ponz are old and well-known, but the true-believers will never let it go.

Sorry, but it is quite clear that chess is a draw when best moves are made

by both sides. If you were to ask 100 grandmasters that question you would probably get 99 or 100 answers that chess is a draw.

So, in a sense, when we say one opening is better than another we mean

that it is easier to play--not that it wins. There are some gambits which may be a loss game such as the Albin Counter Gambit.

What's wrong with 1.e4  c5   2. Qh5?

Nakamura had a win with it...

Yes, but it is not as devestating as the Parham Attack.

Can you elucidate?

Obviously it's not played as much (1...c5, not as common as ...e5)

The Parham attacks the e5 pawn, threatens mate, then forces black to destroy his own structure to avoid material loss. The c5 one is easily stopped with 2...e6.

The issue is how easy is it to gain equality. if it takes black 20-30 moves to gain an equal game then thats important.

If white is equal after 5 moves I think most beginners can learn that. if it takes 20 moves to reach equality then things arent so easy.

I respect your study of the opening but it has nothing to do with some inherent strength of the opening. 

The thing is, we have yet to shown black having equality...

We have yet to show that... Don't tell me to stop unless you can find black equal...