I enjoy the Accelerated Dragon--there are some lines in the Classical Dragon you need to know as well but it is not an opening where you need to be at the cutting edge of theory and also one minor mis-step usually does not result in Black getting mated. You do need to be comfortable facing the Maroczy Bind.
What's a good gateway variation to begin learning the Sicilian?
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I've had a lot of luck as White against the classical Dragon using the Yugoslav Attack. These games are sharp, often involving mutual pawn-storms against Kings castled on opposite sides of the board. The Accelerated Dragon provides a preemptive means of shutting the Yugoslav down before it really starts, but I don't always get my hands tied properly when I face it. I'm not too familiar with the Maroczy Bind, but probably should be.
Shivsky: the Kan is interesting. It's less of a total mess than variations like the Najdorf, Schveningen, or Dragon can be.
The only reason I don't play the dragon or the accerlarated dragon is because of the Maroczy Bind set up. Everytime I face it, it gives me trouble.
My point about the Classical Dragon was that if White plays lines like Be2 the Accelerated Dragon turns into a regular Dragon--this how Soltis played against me and I did OK until he later out played me and won a long end game--both of the above mentioned books ( Greet and Silman/Donaldson) are excellent and are my main reference material.
The Maroczy Bind is interesting--I have played several lines against it (mostly 7 ...Ng4 and followed by either 9..Ne6 or ..e5) and done OK--Black has to be aggressive and know the correct plan but it is not too difficult,
That's true but its hard to fight back in my opintion as black against the maroczy bind. White holds a firm control over d5 can anybody post a game where black wins
Nov 25, 2009
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#8
Really depends on what you're looking for :
- if you want to explore the Sicilian world, then the Scheveninguen or the Classical are probably the best to discover thematic ideas
- if you want a weapon to fight for wins, then either the Dragon or the Najdorf
- if you want a relatively strategic option (not too many cutthroats battles), then either the Accelerated Dragon or the Taïmanov/Paulsen/Kan system should be your choice (with a bemol about the 2nd choice, as some Paulsen lines are pretty bloddy)
- if you want a dynamic yet thematic option, then Sveshnikov is a good choice
Then, there are the offbeat variations, but that's another story...
Fischers 60 Memorable Games has many games where he plays for and against the Sicilian....
accellerated
sheviskov its pretty agressive and fun to play
Nov 25, 2009
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#11
Really great suggestions ... thank you all for sharing!
I will miss you, Nf6 Scandinavian :)
Woo! Nf6 scandinavian FTW!
Nov 25, 2009
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#13
nimzovich wrote:
Shivsky wrote:
Really great suggestions ... thank you all for sharing!
I will miss you, Nf6 Scandinavian :)
Why are you dropping the Scandinavian? Did you always play the Nf6 line or have you looked at the Qa5 & Qd6 lines?
Regardless, I think your decision to expand will enrich your game.
Always played the Nf6 scandinavian. Trouble is that stronger opposition sucks all the joy out of of that opening with 1.e4 d5 2.ed Nf6 3.Bb5+. To add to that, I've recently been toying with this insane and completely offbeat idea (for me, atleast) of playing a sound opening for a change.
Shivsky wrote:
Always played the Nf6 scandinavian. Trouble is that stronger opposition sucks all the joy out of of that opening with 1.e4 d5 2.ed Nf6 3.Bb5+. To add to that, I've recently been toying with this insane and completely offbeat idea (for me, atleast) of playing a sound opening for a change.
No kidding. I played the Nf6 Scandinavian for a while as well, but the Bb5+ lines were definitely not very fun.
I've been toying around with the mainline Dragon, and am enjoying it so far. It's certainly far above my skill level to play well, but that doesn't stop me. I like the Accelerated Dragon as well, but found lines with an early Nxc6 and e5 from white (after ...Nf6) to be fairly annoying. For the Accelerated Dragon players here: any tips/thoughts?
Great posts everybody
The O'kelley Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 a6) is a great line. There is a great line in a book called "Dangerous Weapons: Sicilian". It falls for a great trap. 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 a6 3.d4?! cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5!!
Another Vote for the Scheveningen variation. It is one of the quieter variations, with plenty of play, without much of the memorization of other variations.
nimzovich wrote:
Double exclamation line for 5...e5 is a bit exaggerated.
The point of e5 lines in the Sicilian somewhat escapes me since there was nothing to prevent the black from playing e5 on move 1.
I've moved away from the sicillan only playing it at rare times. To many ppl are booked up on it my suggestion would be to play the lativan gambit against e5 very explosive
After many years of playing the Scandinavian, I think I'm grown up enough to start exploring the Sicilian. Could anybody recommend a line/system that might be a fun place to start?
Thanks in advance!