I would say that in the first position white has given up his birthright of the first move. It's a closed position where black can make natural developing moves and advance on the queenside with his pawns.I already prefer black here.
The second postion is not essentially bad, from memory a few GMs may have played this to get out of the books. Vague recollection of Carlsen and McShane playing this type of thing. Here white's bishop could be a target of black's queenside pawns and a prepared d5 advance, prefaced by e6 say.
Hey all. I've been studying the Sicilian and have been reaching two specific positions in my (low level) blitz games. It seems pretty obvious that people playing these moves are just working off of instinct, so I'm curious if there is a best line of response, that could possibly punish these two strange aproaches white takes.
First, can black force an open Sicilian? I have played a lot of games where white opts for this position, or one very similar and it is theoretically vexing. The biggest problem is, that it often transposes into an open sicilian shortly after all minor pieces have come out, it's as if white notices the idea a handful of moves late. What is black's best line(s) of response?
Second is a bold attempt at an Italian or possible fried liver setup. I have no idea how to play a good sicilian against this. Of course, I've learned what to do and what not to do, but based on Sicilian opening theory, what is black's best line of response?
I appreciate any examples, or ideas anyone has to contribute.