• Forums
• Chess Openings

Taimanov, Paulsen, Kan Sicilian dispute/confusion

• 

  TuckerTommy
  #41 Nov 24, 2017
  Here’s the line I like 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 Nge7 7. O-O Qc7 8. Be3 Ng6 9. Nxc6 bxc6
• 

  Optimissed
  #42 Nov 25, 2017

  The pin variation is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 4.Nf6 (instead of 4...Nc6 or 4...a6) 5.Nc3 and now 5...Nc6 is the Four Knights Variation and 5...Bb4 is the pin variation.>>
  
  Ah, that's like a Classical Sicilian from a century ago, isn't it? I imagine that 5. Bd3 would be much more usual these days? But in this pin variation, you say that 6. Bd3, 6. e5 or 6. f3 are normal. But wouldn't 6. Bd2 be just as good, since there's no attack on the Nd4?

• 

  Optimissed
  #43 Nov 25, 2017
  TuckerTommy wrote:

  Here’s the line I like 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 Nge7 7. O-O Qc7 8. Be3 Ng6 9. Nxc6 bxc6>>
  
  White would play 6. Nxc6, surely?

   

• 

  TuckerTommy
  #44 Nov 28, 2017
  Optimissed....I’m not sure what you are saying in your last reply.
• 

  TuckerTommy
  #45 Nov 28, 2017
  A key feature difference between the Paulsen and the Taimanov is that the Taimanov(pure) includes Nge7; Paulsen includes Nf6.
• 

  Optimissed
  #46 Nov 28, 2017
  TuckerTommy wrote:

  Optimissed....I’m not sure what you are saying in your last reply.>>
  
  That 6. Nxc6 is an ok move for white because it messes up black's pawns and makes his position rather rigid and difficult. You seem to imply that if Nge7 hasn't been played then it isn't a Taimanov and so if black plays that line and gets into trouble then it isn't Taimanov who's to blame, since Nge7 hasn't been played. Yet you stated that you liked that line to enter a Taimanov, which, in my own opinion, is simply an early Nc6 in a Paulsen pawn structure, and this discussion IS about the Taimanov, after all.
• 

  TuckerTommy
  #47 Nov 29, 2017
  Optimissed, My whole point is that I think many references refer to Paulsen, Taimanov, and Kan lines loosely using any of the 3 names. Therefore it’s difficult to sometimes isolate and identify them distinctly as they are so closely related. That’s why earlier I say I think that Paulsen is the grandad of them all and are part of a system.
• 

  TuckerTommy
  #48 Jan 25, 2018

  With absolutely no intention of resurrecting a dead or dying horse....lol....here's an interesting read that actually clears up my original question....http://chessforallages.blogspot.com/2010/11/will-real-taimanov-please-stand-up.html.

   

  Another name for the Taimanov is pure Taimanov or Old taimanov....which are all distinguished by the Nge7 move. Qc7 is the Paulsen...while a6 is the Kan....

• 

  MickeyDeadGuys
  #49 Jan 25, 2018

  Anyone have a list of links for Sicilian middle game plans?  Chess.com or other.  Prefer articles to videos.  I find videos to generally be slow and meandering.  What I’ve done is entered into a half dozen daily games, playing a mix of opening lines.  Kan, Taimanov, and Schveningen, with a Najdorf for trendiness. I know some real basic ideas like queenside attack, push d4, sometimes e4.  Thanks folks.