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

i might start playing kia agianst french because the main lines get old

I was playing the Tarrasch before but recently switched to Nc3. I prefer those sharper positions like the Poisoned Pawn Winawer.

Thanks bro, I think the Open Sicilian with d6 is pulling my attention a bit more after reading this forum

the poisoned pawn winawer is theory packed and even if 0-0 you get an easy game but how do you win with your beautiful bishop pair

also agianst Qc7 you just gotta know so much and its annoying for white with no direct plan, at least in the benko,classical nimzo, and nadjorf there are direct plans and ideas

smith morra is POTENT, especially if you're good at remembering move orders.

that's pretty good results in 1600-2000.

Tbh I don't have loads of experience. I like this kind of position though. The theory isn't a problem for me as I'm willing to learn a bit.

It's sharp and double edged.

Black gets development in exchange for the pawn. In this kind of position, the black knight pair can be strong.

White has the bishop pair but the extra pawn is no joke either. It's not just an endgame player. In the middlegame, white can fling the h pawn up the board h4-h5-h6-h7. A simple plan but very troublesome for black.

There is also plenty of life and fresh ideas in the position.

My favourite Najdorf line by far is Bg5. I wasn't going to recommend this to OP necessarily as it can be very sharp and double-edged. It seemed like this wasn't what was asked for specifically.

It's one of white's most aggressive lines and has some incredibly beautiful motifs.

Even if you don't want to follow main lines, it has a nice variety of lines which keep it constantly fresh and there are plenty of ways of deviating. A lot of the lines are also quite unexplored.

ive had many games with the nadjorf where white NEVER PLAYS F4, and i just win because he cant create any counterplay

example:

i get a super easy d5 and Nc4 is allways incoming with Rc8

The Nf3 line is playable but it kind of needs to be played with Bc4.

This is more of a restricting, positional line. White is trying to clamp down on the light squares. They are probably never going to have a meaningful attack with the knight blocking the f pawn.

I'm not a fan of this for white.

Especially Nf3 and Be2 together, in this setup, looks very awkward.

It's basically a general rule for white in the Open Sicilian that you don't want to block the f pawn.

why Nc6 though?

the plan of Nbd7-b5-Nb6-Qc7-D5 can be quite strong

wow

you play some move, inducing black to play e5; then you switch back and play bc4, taking advantage of the weaknesses

whats your opinion of the freak attack!?

its name speaks for itself

ive only faced it once and this is how i played it

10. ...Nbd7 fails tactically to 11. Bxe6 bxe6 12. Ng5.

Also black has Na5. I remember in some other variations black can play a5-Nb4. I'm not sure if this is a good idea at some point in this line though.

The light squares can be very valuable in these structures. Sometimes more valuable than the queen.

yeah yeah yeah i know

is there any way to prevent Bc4 though

The Freak Attack is ok. It's interesting and quite aggressive, but a little dubious.

Like the Adams Attack, the idea is simply to play g4. I think it can be better to remain more flexible with the rook though, preserve castling both ways. An early d5 can be possible.

but the adams attack according to the computer is the best move

Qc7 is typically the move meant to do this. Same with the main line. If black plays Nbd7 before Qc7 then Bc4 is good.

The engine really likes 6. f3. Not my choice though.