Why sicilian defense over 1...e5 ?

the above question(not that i have something against sicilian, i just dont see why it is better)

I am not a big Sicilian fan, but I do know the reason.  e5 makes for a perfectly symmetrical position in which White calls the shots because he is first to move.  The Sicilian vies for the center in an unbalanced way.  It gains queenside space and opens the c file if White plays an eventual d2-d4.  Also, Black will have an extra center pawn, which is considered an asset in the middle game.  With people trying to win instead of draw, the Sicilian Defense has matured over the years and is considered one of Black's best defenses to e4.

oh, thanks!

yeah if white plays perfectly I'm not even sure if black can get full equality if he plays e5. So instead of responding to white, the sicilian counterattacks on the queenside. At least it's supposed to.

@ Elubas

Black can get equality if he plays e5. The problem is that there is so much theory nowadays on 1. e4 e5 that Black can only get equality, even with best play. If White doesn't mess up, Black can't really win.

However, the Sicilian is so sharp and complex that there isn't nearly as much theory behind it, and usually only stronger players know the nuances. While it probably is also equal with best play, mistakes in the Sicilian are typically more costly than a similar mistake in 1. e4 e5

i think sicilian is overrated. if with white, try d4 to "outbalance" the sicilian fans. if with black, try mastering the pirc, with an attack plan on the queen side or both sides of the board - with the king staying put in the middle.

I prefer the sicilian because I find symmetrical structures boring and uninspired. The sicilian is riskier but has greater winning chances.

Also keep in mind that by trading his c-pawn for  the d-pawn black is creating a queenside minority of pawns.  Later in the game his two pawns could be marched up to disrupt whites queenside pawn structure.  If black can survive the tactical madness of the early game, then the semi open c file and minority attack could give him the advantage.  To see many minority attacks in action look up queens gambit games from Reshevsky's or Capablanca's time.

   Sicilian againts e4 deters d2-d4 advance, aiming equal control of the center           is  a good queenside  counterplay.

All openings are a matter of personal preference or knowledge.

Play the Sicilian over 1.e4 e5 if you like a sharp opening or like learning new traps (and falling for them!)

MainStreet wrote:

i think sicilian is overrated. if with white, try d4 to "outbalance" the sicilian fans. if with black, try mastering the pirc, with an attack plan on the queen side or both sides of the board - with the king staying put in the middle.

After 1. e4 c5 2. d4, play usually continues 2. ...cxd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qa4. In my experience, that favors Black, not White. If you want to "outbalance a Sicilan fan", you're going to have to try something else, like 2. f4 (the Grand Prix)

2.f4 and you risk getting hit with a nasty gambit I believe.  I think there is a more refined move-order that avoids it.  Still, I think f4 or a move planning it, is a bit early, and not nearly as sound as 2.Nf3, 2.c3, or 2.Nc3.  I recommend 2.c3 although 2.Nf3 is certainly not worse, except from a practical viewpoint.  If you really want to try to punish black for his first move though, 2.Nf3 is the way to go.  You just need to really know your stuff if you end up in your opponent's pet line.

sstteevveenn wrote:

2.f4 and you risk getting hit with a nasty gambit I believe.  I think there is a more refined move-order that avoids it.  Still, I think f4 or a move planning it, is a bit early, and not nearly as sound as 2.Nf3, 2.c3, or 2.Nc3.  I recommend 2.c3 although 2.Nf3 is certainly not worse, except from a practical viewpoint.  If you really want to try to punish black for his first move though, 2.Nf3 is the way to go.  You just need to really know your stuff if you end up in your opponent's pet line.

I was merely giving an example of what's been used to counter the normal Sicilian lines. MainStreet wanted to "outbalance a Sicilian fan", so I posted something that has been used to that effect before.

e4e5 is losing or draw with perfect play by white. unless black  does somthing like the marshall gambit

yeah It's probably playable, I was just saying, maybe not the best theoretically, and c3 is usually sufficient to avoid the heavy lines or Nc3 also.  I dont really know all that much about the sicilian, but I remember reading something like an improvement to the grand prix attack which I have read is generally thought dubious, so thought i'd mention it, even though I dont know what the move is. 

the sicilian gives both sides more winning chances due to the imblanced position, while e5 can be more drawish because of the symetrical position. But both openings are fine even at the GM level black wins games with e5 and c5, your first move isn't all that important.