The Carlson Variation -- a new Anti-Sicilian

While web surfing for books on the Sicilian (looking for a intro book with theory, not a repertoire book) I stumbled on this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/8793812442/ - The Carlson Variation -- a new Anti-Sicilian (5. Qe2)

I'd never heard of this (or ever heard of 5. Qe2).  Thoughts?

It is Qd2 and Carlsen...

New idea, using typical development (Qd2-b3-Bb2).

Easy to play as white, and of course, works only against 2...d6.

It is a way to "improve" on Chekhover line (with Nf3 and d4, here it is Nc3 and d4).

I agree with poucin.

YIkes -- thanks for both corrections.  (I hadn't had my morning coffee yet!)

(1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Qd2)

I'm sure the book answer the obvious question that a novice like me would ask: that seems kinda odd to move your queen twice in the first five moves . . . 

In any event, thanks for the reply!

With how much Carlsen has mentioned that he dislikes opening prep, I wouldn't be surprised if he played this opening on a whim, without any prep at all.

Which sort of goes along with the theory that if you're good enough, you can play almost anything and win? ;-)

I’ve played it occasionally, I’ve mostly lost, but it’s always fun. Usually I don’t look for tactics on the e4 pawn too hard and just lose material.

St. Louis Chess Club did a video on this opening the other day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8bWNknC6ro

How fortuitous!  Thanks for catching that and bringing it to our attention!

True.

Carlsen could play 1.Nf3 ... 2.Ng1 ... 3.e3 ... and still beat most Grandmasters.

But that's because he's Carlsen. I wouldn't recommend that for the rest of us.

Ah, that's pretty cool. Thanks for the info.