Thanks.
What is the best variation for the Sicilian?
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Around 2010, IM John Watson wrote, "... For players with very limited experience, ... the Sicilian Defence ... normally leaves you with little room to manoeuvre and is best left until your positional skills develop. ... I'm still not excited about my students playing the Sicilian Defence at [the stage where they have a moderate level of experience and some opening competence], because it almost always means playing with less space and development, and in some cases with exotic and not particularly instructive pawn-structures. ... if you're taking the Sicilian up at [say, 1700 Elo and above], you should put in a lot of serious study time, as well as commit to playing it for a few years. ..."
Feb 23, 2020
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#4
I wish people would stop with these "...what's the best..." questions. My opinion is that one opening/defence/variation yada yada, is just as good as any other...
Chill-Bhronai wrote:
I wish people would stop with these "...what's the best..." questions. My opinion is that one opening/defence/variation yada yada, is just as good as any other...
I understand how you feel, but it seems to me to be normal to want to know this sort of thing.
The best one is the one you understand the most about I would say.
"Generally speaking, 'Starting Out' and 'Sicilian Najdorf' are not exactly words that one envisions in the same title, because anyone who is just starting out should not dive into the vast ocean of theory that is the Najdorf. For beginners, the time invested in studying even minor lines can be more productively used solving tactical puzzles and basic endgame technique.
...
... In some lines, a good understanding of basic principles will take you far, while in others, such as the Poisoned Pawn (6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Qb6!?), memorization is a must, as one wrong move can cost you the game in the blink of an eye. ..." - FM Carsten Hansen (2006), reviewing Starting Out: Sicilian Najdorf
https://web.archive.org/web/20140626175558/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen87.pdf
Feb 23, 2020
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#8
The Taimanov is a great option for people who enjoy putting pressure on your opponent from early on. You pretty much have no chance of losing control of the center...
Feb 23, 2020
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#10
Bottelho wrote:
najdorf is bloody good
It helps if you know it twenty or thirty moves deep, of course.
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-showcase/a-heroic-defense-in-the-sicilian-najdorf-kids-dont-try-this-at-home
My current "Fav" Sicilian opening is the O'kelly variation.
1. e5 c5
2. Nf3 a6
I also enjoy the Paulsen, but there are so many variations, I'm not going to suggest it.
The Sicilian is generally a bad idea for complete beginners, but if you do take it up then the Dragon/Acc. Dragon would make the most sense I think.
Feb 23, 2020
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#14
robbie_1969 wrote:
The best one is the one you understand the most about I would say.
I agree. If you play the Najdorf regularly and study hundreds of games, you would be good at it and your opponents would avoid it.
Feb 23, 2020
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#15
Taimanov, and whenever I play it, my mind conjures up images of taipans lurking around in Paris Zoo. Why couldn't there be a Taimanov aspect dedicated solely to the French? I wonder, and from the many animals' nods in agreement (probably not from gaining a sense of dignity after being locked up in cages), I can sense they are thinking exactly the same.
Feb 23, 2020
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#17
I would think not, because great chess minds are troubled sufficiently. If Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, had gotten mildly better at his game, he would have instigated a disaster amongst the chess community, likening it to a nuclear war.
Feb 24, 2020
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#18
I have two questions.
1. What is the rating of this stronger player?
2. What’s your rating?
If this person is rated 2200 and you’re 1400, you are pretty much haute tees to lose no matter what you play.
I think the question you should be asking is what do you like playing the most? If it’s the Najdorf, cool, study it and be aware that it is a beast of an opening and you’re going to have to put time into it.
I like the Kan, I found it pretty easy to understand and it felt natural to me. I almost exclusively play the Cato Kann now as I find it even easier to play and I actually get my opening of choice when I play it. There aren’t 5 or 6 different anti Caro Kan openings like their are Sicilian ones.
1. What is the rating of this stronger player?
2. What’s your rating?
If this person is rated 2200 and you’re 1400, you are pretty much haute tees to lose no matter what you play.
I think the question you should be asking is what do you like playing the most? If it’s the Najdorf, cool, study it and be aware that it is a beast of an opening and you’re going to have to put time into it.
I like the Kan, I found it pretty easy to understand and it felt natural to me. I almost exclusively play the Cato Kann now as I find it even easier to play and I actually get my opening of choice when I play it. There aren’t 5 or 6 different anti Caro Kan openings like their are Sicilian ones.
squared_1 wrote:
Hi, I want to know what is the best variation for Sicilian. One of the best chess players in my club keeps beating me whenever I play the Sicilian. I try a lot of common variations against him- I always get beaten up badly. It would be really helpful if someone could help me find a good variation I could try against the best chess player in my club!
Try solid variations of Sicilians, such as Kan and scheveningen as those two variations get transposition (back to back identical lines) very often.
As you already choose Sicilian, be aware that there will be more win and loss because you invite your opponent to play imbalance positions. (In term of boxing, it is like you punch me, I punch you challenge, instead of defensive mode).
If your opponent is stronger, you have to prepare more preparation in opening!
1. Learn from master games in opening
2. Learn from traditional opening books or
3. Learn from deeply computer analysis opening books
When I started playing the sicilian a few years ago, I didn't study at all. I eventually settled on the Paulsen and O'kelly variations for a long time but I'm sure it had a LOT to do with having played a lot of the French Defense.
In any event I think I lost every Sicilian game I played as black for two months.
-I generally eschew 1. e5 when playing white.
So just have fun and try lots of different moves and see what works ok?
Hi, I want to know what is the best variation for Sicilian. One of the best chess players in my club keeps beating me whenever I play the Sicilian. I try a lot of common variations against him- I always get beaten up badly. It would be really helpful if someone could help me find a good variation I could try against the best chess player in my club!