Uh, isn’t the reversed Sicilian something white plays? Typically with 1. c4? What are you meaning by that.
Why would Seraiwan play 1.c4 instead of 1.Nf3?
When u play 1.Nf3, ok u avoid 1...e5, but u prevent u to play some systems without Nf3...
For instance, u can go back into QGD exchange with Nge2, or u can play Seirawan variation against KI (with Bd3-Nge2), or openings with f3/f4, etc...
If u play Nf3 against any black defence, then sure it should be your choice, but if not...
It is a matter a taste I guess. I’d say 1.c4 has more chances for a complicated game as it avoids exchanges. 1.Nf3 usually allows a “simpler” game.
Quite simply: 1.c4 is not necessarily followed by Nf3 after a while, and vice versa.
And of course both moves are equally good.
saw a seirawan lecture on the english were he said that this was the opening that made him big, because he started at the relatively late age of 12 with chess and steard away of too much theory with it - friend of him got mad because he always played Rb1 followed by b4 and queenside pressure and won lots of games with this simple plan![]()
Yasser Seirawan is still a pretty strong player and is really versed on his openings. If you watch any of his commentary at the St Louis chess events on YouTube, this becomes clear straight away. Even in the Sicilian, which he admits he doesn't play, he points out thematic ideas and sacrifices. I generally prefer 1.nf3 myself but there is nothing wrong with 1.c4 at all. You can get some good games with it.
With that in mind, I don't understand why most of Seraiwan games in his chessgames database start with 1.c4 (and he has a higher win percentage with that than 1.Nf3). Was Seraiwan very well prepared against the reverse sicilian? Or is there any other more subtle reason?