YES, it is very good, but very complicated. Their is no "best variation" of it, but the Najdorf is normally considered one of the hardest to crack.
Sicillian, good or bad?
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@1
"the Sicillian has no place in openings" ++ It is the second best reply to 1 e4.
"no point to gain advantage" ++ Trading wing pawn c5 for center pawn d4 gives an advantage.
"No checkmates or gambits."
++ Checkmates do not happen between good players. Most gambits are bad.
"Is it any good?" ++ Yes, Sicilian is good.
"What is the best Sicillian Defence variation?" ++ Probably the Najdorf
@4
'The French Defence. In my younger years I used to consider it at best a second-rate opening, and I once even lost a bet with one of my friends, and as a result had to play 1... e6 in all my games with Black in a Super-GM tournament. Fortunately my friend was greedy, and took money instead. I believe that both 1...c5 and 1...e5! are better choices' - Carlsen
The 4 main defences against 1 e4 in order of descending strength:
- 1 e4 e5: blocks pawn e4 and enables ...Nf6, opens 2 diagonals for Bf8 and Qd8
- 1 e4 c5: trades a wing pawn c5 for a central pawn d4, opens a diagonal for Qd8
- 1 e4 e6: prepares 2...d5, opens 2 diagonals for Bf8 and Qd8, but closes the diagonal of Bc8
- 1 e4 c6: prepares 2...d5, opens a diagonal for Qd8, but obstructs the move ...Nc6
That is objectively and theoretically, like for a world championship match, or a correspondence game. Tournament chess is different. A strong player wanting to win a tournament must win games with black against weaker opponents. All draws win no tournament. 1...c5 is better suited to play for a win with black, but at greater risk of losing.
I personally believe the Sicillian has no place in openings, having no point to gain advantage in any way, not attacking, developing or capturing. No checkmates or gambits. Personally my least favorite opening, but I never studied it. Is it any good?