Sicilian sidelines

Hi guys,

Most opponents at my level do not play main line sicilian. I mean 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 etc. They play lines like  1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3..Nc6 or 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3..Nc6other by black. As black, what openings can I transpose this to and have an equal or better advantage? This opening still classifies as B40 Sicilian!

You are describing the "Anti-Sveshnikov."

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e5 would be the Sveshnikov.

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 avoids the Sveshnikov.

But Black can still play 3...e5!

You just have to learn the sidelines

As ghostofmaroczy mentions, 3...e5 begins to look like a stonewall to me but it is covered in John Cox's Starting Out: Sicilian Sveshnikov so I guess it still is a Sveshnikov

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 would make you look at the Alapin

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4. c3 would be a way to reach the Morra Gambit

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 is also something that one would study too

There is also the Closed Sicilian/Grand Prix and even 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4 or 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, none of which lose for white but a Sicilian player needs to look at

No way to avoid all the lines above if one is a Sicilian player

@MervynS , There are dogmatic options for a Sveshnikov player in the sidelines.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 e5

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e5

Only against 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 it is not possible to play 3...e5

Yes