When is it time to learn the Sicilian?

i've always admired people that can play the various Sicilian variations well.  I've got the book the Sicilian, Soltis variation....it takes nerves of steel, games come down to a tempo!!!   I'm not ready yet. I guess,  when the student is ready, the opening will come grasshopper!!!

Hi, the sicilian is a sharp opening and requires a lot more studing then other openings as every move is decisive you must make a good move all the time.

On the other side your opponent have to make the best move all the time too or he will be in big trouble specially if you know how to punish him.

Sicilian is a great opening for the theory fans, you have to follow theory and have to create your own improvements. If you study the position very very well you dont need nerves of steel, you know what is going on and with great chance you had the complicated positions already analysed  at home with computer help.

my chess.com rating is 2100 and I know the basic moves of the sicilian (because of playing against it as white) but I would be lost when it comes to the 'ideas' of black. ... still worth learning if you like a very tactical game.  You just gotta be prepared to get emberassed from time to time by a well booked-up white player.

If you intend to play 1 e4, then it's time to have something prepared.

Yes. That helps. Thanks.

stwils

In online chess you can use the games explorer to help you learn the basics about any opening. Join our group http://www.chess.com/groups/home/opening-skills to join in some unrated tournaments so you can explore different openings.

I used to play a dodgy version of the sicilian when I played as a kid, but now favour the French. I'll probably give it another go next year sometime just to touch on some of the possibilities it offers.

I agree with previous posters who say you should spend more time on learning basic tactics and positional skills - you can't understand the theories behind any opening without them. Use the games explorer in the meantime to get you a few moves into the game without any glaring errors - you are allowed to by online chess rules (but NOT in live chess!).

You should first of all learn the opening priciples and then you can start studiying a specific opening, and the logic behind it.

When you start studiying openings I think you should try the scotch game first

Sinceerly: Percyval