what should i play vs the sicilian (now a discussion of whites side of the sicilian)

exactly as title

(this can also serve as todays sicilian post)

for some context i play scotch vs 1...e5 mainline, would play advance vs french and caro

so i want to play something that is a) objectively atleast equal, b) maybe not the 100% most common reply (surprise value?) but fine with main main line too (i play classical 1...e5 stuff against 1. e4 as black, for an example), c) no gambits please, d) preferably not too double edged; single mistake loses the game stuff

appreciate all replies!

also explain your suggestion, please

edit: look at the first page there will be a suggested repertoire, expand/ suggest replacements on that + its ok to discuss general stuff about white sicilian openings coz every thread it feels is about blacks side

Open Sicilian.

You play Scotch so Open Sicilian seems natural. Even though they are different there is clear similarity in that white trades off the d pawn, brings out the pieces very quickly and controls the semi open d-file.

You could try the Adams Attack in the Najdorf. This is a mix of positional and aggressive ideas but not so sharp like Bg5 and not so forcing and theoretical like the English Attack.

In a sense, it can be based on a set of clear plans and concepts like controlling the light squares, d5 and f5, with g4-Bg2-Ng3.

I would suggest the Fischer-Sozin Attack as well. This can be sharp but it has an attack which is kind of simpler to understand from the white perspective. This is maybe a good Open Sicilian line to start off with and can win you a lot of games.

hmm yes

the games where black plays the sicilian...

tbh no one plays the sicilian lol

this was meant to be more of a long term question

but yeah i was kinda thinking like that: go into the mainline but then not the main main line

what about... every other sicilian tho (not forcing a reply here, i can go into it myself if i want)

and more about the board you posted... then what would white want? some sort of kingside attack with f4 or g5 or h4 or some combination of those?

i am getting into more attack and opposite castling type stuff so i am completely fine with that suggestion, thank you

The next plan for white, in that position, is 14. Nd5 with the threat of Nxe7-Qxd6. Black has to take and give up the LSB, surrendering control over f5. This can then be followed up with Nf5-g5.

These positions are a bit unexplored so it's going to be more about generating plans and ideas. You might get in an earlier g5, Nd5 or Ng3 depending on what black does for example.

Against the Dragon, the Yugoslav Attack is the tried and tested antidote. The Levenfish can also be good though as an offbeat line which could catch some opponents off guard.

Against the Classical, I wouldn't really consider anything other than Bg5 the Richter-Rauzer or Bc4 the Fischer-Sozin. It would be best to take your pick from those 2. Trying a fianchetto setup might also work for you but it's more quiet and passive.

Against the Kan and Accelerated Dragon, you can get familiar with Maroczy Bind structures where white has a nice space advantage.

Against other Nc6 Sicilians, Sveshnikov and Kalashnikov, white is often playing more positionally but there are simple plans. You could always try the Rossolimo against 2. ...Nc6 as well.

The Scheveningen allows the early g4 Keres Attack. This is the line which caused many to abandon the Scheveningen. The Adams Attack is essentially trying to play something like a "little Keres Attack" against the Najdorf. The true Keres Attack against the Scheveningen is much more dangerous.

A very good alternative however would be the Matanovic Attack which also offers white excellent attacking prospects and is a bit more unexplored.

Something like this and white just wants to play g5-Be3-0-0-0.

Not so many people play the Scheveningen nowadays so you probably don't have to think about it too much.

thank you very much will look at it later its getting late here

though... yknow at the low level people play wacky stuff, so mainlines are less likely

(by mainline i mean say, developing logically)

but future otb stuff

(otb people are much more reasonable, for obvious reasons)

might require more knowledge of these main positions

(i literally just faced 4...Ne5 in the scotch today and lost... it was a queen hang to a knight fork in a winning position (if queen and some pawns for rook and knight is your idea of winning))

sorry i dont like to be a brainless robot

anyway wth does the closed sicilian even do

NOT fight for d4?

most 1. e4 openers (and openings) care a lot about the d4 square

yeah the positions seem unexplored in the adams attack

very little master games and almost no practical games (rapid, around my rating, using players database)

still they look like it could be a decent idea

also, element of surprise

and: the fact that black plays a6, a seemingly random pawn push and its the best move; is funny

so the fact that white can respond with h3, another seemingly random move; is hilarious

and imo stuff like yugoslav, rauzer and keres feel similar to each other and to adams attack in a way so that sets well

I would recommend playing the Alapin 😎

Open Sicilian is awesome though 🔥

2.Nc3 is good 👍

And rossolimo is also a nice option 👌

If you were to play open Sicilian, I would recommend

Vs Dragon, Yugoslav attack 🔥

vs Najdorf, English Attack 🔥

vs Scheveningen, Keres Attack 🔥

vs Classical, Bg5 🔥

vs Sveshnikov, 9.Nd5 👌

vs Accelerated Dragon, Maroczy Bind 👌

"vs richter rauzer, bg5"

the rauzer is an opening white plays, against the classical sicilian

just noting that

also, i used to play alapin but now...

eh

also its possible to go rossolimo vs nc6 but open vs d6 

Oh yeah I mean richter rauzer vs the classical

What do you find wrong with the Alapin? Or are you just bored

the alapin is part of my "old repertoire" which included stuff like... a stupid setup based vienna which i was always getting crushed in

the nf6 scandi

chigorin defense vs qg

nc6 f6 stuff against london

i would like to distance myself from that as much as possible...

I don’t think the Alapin is bad

not saying its bad

saying i dont want to play it

also its a bit weird looking in the d5 main lines

also, samuels suggestions sound perfect and are the one type of opening i dont play currently (ones where there is an attacking plan for one/both players)

Stop playing 1. e4, and play 1. d4 instead...Sicilian diverted.

D4 is awesome too!

Fair enough fair enough

A lot of the people who complain about how hard it is or how much theory there is, have no experience to talk from.

Someone else just told them that so they turn into a drone, reciting something that someone else told them online like it's the bible.

At the end of the day, you are just playing another player who may have a bit more or less knowledge than you but that doesn't guarantee the result.