Chapter 2 - 2. Nf3 without 2...d6
Wikipedia is a great source for learning the names for different variations. This chapter covers a variety of Open Sicilian games.
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._e4/1...c5/2._Nf3
27. Sicilian Alapin Dragon
This is known as the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon variation: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._e4/1...c5/2._Nf3/2...g6
sr2015 - Sawyer, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club, 13.12.2012 0-1
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3UeeYCxTN6
A close opening game ending early due to blunder on move 15.
28. Delayed Wing Stretch
Deferred Wing Gambit opening is a type of Open Sicilian https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._e4/1...c5/2._Nf3/2...d6
Stretch - Sawyer, Levittown, PA (5), 16.05.1982 0-1
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/433nLgZG6A
There appears to be some mistake in the notation towards the end of the match because White is easily winning when White resigns.
29. Haines Never Gave Up
Sawyer quote Winston Churchill in tribute to Haines' tenacity in this hard earned draw.
Morgan (2047) - Haines, Maine, 10.04.2014 1/2-1/2
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3aAtGu4CNr
30. Cat Who Played Bb5+
chesspurr - Sawyer, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club 20.09.2014 0-1
2.Nf3 Nc6 games
31. King's Indian Attack
Muir (1800) - Sawyer (2011), Williamsport, PA 1995 0-1
32. Draw 3375 with 3. c4
A hyper-accelerated dragon game where Sawyer drew with a very strong chess engine. After 17 moves the LinuxKnight engine decided to play for draw by repetition.
LinuxKnight (3375) - Sawyer (1951), ICC 3 0 u Internet Chess Club 09.06.2008 1/2-1/2
33. Lack of Decision
Sawyer - Haines, Ft Fairfield, ME 20.12.1973 0-1
34. Skip Spence 2.Bc4
Spence - Sawyer, Williamsport, PA 1996 0-1
35. Ready for Rossolimo
The Rossolimo variation begins with 3. Bb5
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._e4/1...c5/2._Nf3/2...Nc6/3._Bb5
Hanging Pawns covers Rossolimo Attack theory here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iddK1iAVP70&list=PLssNbVBYrGcDUDYiWilH-mQxXM4ixS2z6&index=12
Lovenstein (1503) - Sawyer, Hatboro, PA 26.07.1984 0-1
2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 games
36. Irish Experiment Murray
There are many Open Sicilian variations after 4. Nxd4
In this game John Patrick Murray went off the beaten track with an early ...a6
Sawyer - Murray, Williamsport, PA 1994 1-0
37. Accelerated Pawn Push
Another opponent playing outside of the Open Sicilian opening theory, and easily defeated
Sawyer (2010) - Zdun (1634) 1-0
38. How to Play 4...d5!?
4...d5 begins the Open Sicilian Nimzovich variation but that line was not followed through and apparently not known by Heyn.
Sawyer (2011) - Heyn (1751) 1-0
It was all over after 13 moves.
39. Kalashnikov by Hofford
Kalashnikov variation: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._e4/1...c5/2._Nf3/2...Nc6/3._d4/3...cxd4/4._Nxd4/4...e5
Sawyer - Hofford (1694), corr APCT 1977 1-0
4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 games
40. Save Seconds Short
Sawyer (2280) - Fuerte2004 (2250), ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club 2009 1/2-1/2
41. Sicilian Result Oriented
The Sveshnikov variation begins with 5...e5
The chess.com analysis engine identifies 5...e5 as "Pelikan and Sveshnikov Variations" https://www.chess.com/openings/Sicilian-Defense-Open-Pelikan-and-Sveshnikov-Variations
and for this game against Jim Marfia it is called the Lasker-Pelican variation
Sawyer (2050) - Marfia (2050), corr APCT 1980 1/2-1/2
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3JZ5bjp3dp
42. Fighting Sveshnikov
Sawyer gives some information on the history of these opening names:
"Emmanuel Lasker played 5...e5 a couple time in 1910. Pelikan played it quite a bit in the 1950s. In the mid-1960s Gennadi Timoshchenko and Evgeny Sveshnikov both played it in big tournaments. They continued through the 1970s. Eventually the name "Sveshnikov Variation" stuck."
Sawyer likes the book Sicilian: Lasker-Pelikan by Wade, Speelman, Povah and Blackstock.
In this game against Minai Harabor it leaves the opening book at move 9 when black plays 9...Be7
https://www.chess.com/explorer?moveList=e4+c5+Nf3+Nc6+d4+cxd4+Nxd4+Nf6+Nc3+e5+Ndb5+d6+Bg5+a6+Na3+d5+Nxd5&ply=17
Harabor (2100) - Sawyer (2000), corr CCLA 1980 0-1
(According to ECO, the Sveshnikov variation actually starts with 8...b5 see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM5KUWXPkbo&list=PLssNbVBYrGcDUDYiWilH-mQxXM4ixS2z6&index=20 )
43. Draw EggSalad 3146
EggSalad is a strong chess engine.
Sawyer (2382) - EggSalad (3146), ICC 5 0 u Internet Chess Club, 28.01.2000 blitz game 1/2-1/2
Accelerated Dragon Games
(Accelerated Dragon opening theory from Hanging Pawns here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd1eKLJ3DGQ&list=PLssNbVBYrGcDUDYiWilH-mQxXM4ixS2z6&index=2)
44. Count Blacula Sicilian
Blacula - Sawyer, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club 2012 0-1
45. Hidden Queen Trick
Open, Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation
Sawyer (2010) - Zdun (1634) 1-0
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/5iSs5NzCRc
46. Roman Accelerated Dragon
(Here Sawyer recommends the book "Chess Openings for Black, Explained: A Complete Repertoire" by GM Dzindzichasvili. GM Perelshteyn, GM Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence. These authors also wrote a Chess Openings for White book.)
Sawyer - Magarinos, Orlando, FL, 04.12.2003 1/2-1/2
47. Dragon Capablanca Style
Sawyer - capablanca, ICC 2011, 1-0
48. Peter Dyson in Dragon
Sawyer was the underdog against NM Dyson so intentionally left the main opening book paths with 8.Bb3
Sawyer (1966) - Dyson (2141), 14th Space Coast Open 2007 0-1
49. Daly Dragon Draw
Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation
Sawyer (1959) - Daly (2111), Florida State Championship 2007 1/2-1/2
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/qexWzDvaS
50. Sicilian Dragon Escape
Sawyer (2377) - ATtheGreat (1550), ICC 2 12 u Internet Chess Club 14.02.2004 1/2-1/2 drawn by mutual agreement
51. Taylor Benoni to Sicilian
Tim Sawyer - Allen Taylor, Williamsport, PA 1995, 1-0
52. Ted Talks Maroczy Bind
Tim Sawyer (2000) - Theodore J. Greiner (2000), corr CCLA 1980 1/2-1/2
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/2aXhFNnHRG
1 inaccuracy by White, no mistakes or blunders, 87.7% vs 86.6% accuracy
2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 games - French Variation
(The French Variation can becomes a different variation soon after.
It can become the Kan variation, or the Open Scheveningen variation, on move 5
- see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CxgfDX44Ug&list=PLssNbVBYrGcDUDYiWilH-mQxXM4ixS2z6&index=8 for Kan variation details)
53. Baffo Scheveningen
Tim Sawyer (1986) - Jeffrey Baffo (2248), corr USCF 95P139, 08.04.1996, 0-1
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/2KfpHtJByg
2 blunders by White. 18 best moves by Black. 76.1% vs 95.6% accuracy
54. Haines Sicilian Switch
Sawyer - Haines, Ft Fairfield, ME 19.02.1974 1-0
This is the name of a book by Tim Sawyer. The book mostly covers games that the author played himself.
The kindle version currently has a special offer price so I decide to buy it and learn the many Sicilian variations.
This book also covers Queen's Pawn openings where c5 and e5 are subsequently played, and the Alekhine's Defence with 2.e5 and 4.c5
It does not contain any diagrams only annotated chess notation, so I am gradually converting the games into PGNs (where needed).
(If you are a relative beginner, there is a short series by IM Astaneh covering Sicilian opening theory in less than 2 hours here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9RQPxG_e-LlZd1KglWCASjaLv0cjUpzX which serves as a good foundation for the following games.
Or there is a much more in depth series from Hanging Pawns totaling 11 hours here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=impkeLfyyVM&list=PLssNbVBYrGcDUDYiWilH-mQxXM4ixS2z6 )
Chapter 1 - Various Lines
1. Sicilian Bg2 without Nc3 (Keres variation)
(Background on the Keres variation: https://thechessworld.com/articles/openings/the-keres-variation-against-the-sicilian-defense/ )
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/4BUwZQfYEi
2. Snyder Anti-Sicilian 2. b3
Normand Corneau v Jocelyn Bond 2012
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3Q76fAWQea
3. Faydi Draw Wing Gambit
(For Wing Gambit theory from IM Ostrovskiy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3LSucfWeYw )
Jonathan Faydi (FIDE rated 2138) vs Fritz 13 13.06.2014
4. Short Grand Prix Eilmes
(The Grand Prix Attack is a way for White to surprise Black, also known as the McDonnell attack, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqJOyV9_Bms&list=PLssNbVBYrGcDUDYiWilH-mQxXM4ixS2z6&index=5 for details)
corr APCT 1979 Don P. Eilmes (1948) - Sawyer (2000) 1-0
Sawyer's annotations are kind on himself, marking moves 20 and 22 as mistakes, whereas the chess.com analysis engine calls these blunders and gives Sawyer a lowly 31.2% accuracy rating.
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/2gsx36QzgN
5. Parsons Trapped Bishop
Match against David Parsons, Williamsport, PA, 28.11.2000
Grand Prix / McDonell Attack opening
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/9mN2a5xei
2.d4 d5 Smith-Morra Gambit games
https://www.chess.com/explorer?moveList=e4+c5+d4+cxd4&ply=4&origMoves=e4+c5
(Smith-Morra Gambit opening theory from Hanging Pawns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTcd3onnOWA&list=PLssNbVBYrGcDUDYiWilH-mQxXM4ixS2z6&index=10)
6. Mik Jorgensen 4. dxc4
Blackmar-Diemar Gambit declined resembling an offbeat Albin-Counter Gambit reversed.
(IM Rozman explains the Blackmar-Diemar Gambit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxtUxgupAHY )
Mik Jorgensen v Arunn Ananthan Bronshoj Lang Weekend 13.02.2012
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/4YQzxUBx4E
A long endgame before a draw is agreed 1/2 - 1/2
7. Famous Bourne Identity
Correspondence match against the lower rated Alfred Scott Bourne (1635)
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/2N8f1rJoCi
8. Mark Kluge
Sawyer (2182) - Kluge (1726) 02.10.1989
Albin-Counter Gambit Reversed, aka Blackmar-Diemar, Dries Couterattack
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/5bgBiGdA78
Mistake made on move 4. "I don't feel like playing with an exposed king. Good game!" Kluge resigns after move 7.
9. Yang Haiden 3. Nc3 dxe4
Yang Hainan (2137) - Chan Peng Kong (2264) Hong Kong Open 2014 1-0
https://ratings.fide.com/view_pgn.phtml?code=99982
10. WFM Khlichkova 6. b3
Khlichkova (2249) - Zaiatz (2408) 64th ch-RUS HL w 2014 Vladivostok 06.06.2014
WFM Khlichkova also known as Tatiana Maletina
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1757635
2.d4 cxd4 games (B21 Smith-Morra Gambit)
11. Guido De Bouver Blog
De Bouver - Staes, Belgium 2012 1-0
12. Saturday TV Westerns
Tim Sawyer - Edward Sawyer, corr (2), 21.05.1974 1/2 - 1/2
13. Smashing Smith-Morra
Ray Haines - Edward Sawyer, corr Maine, 1974 1-0
14. Smith-Morra by Taylor
(Hanging Pawn's guide to the Smith-Morra gambit is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTcd3onnOWA&list=PLssNbVBYrGcDUDYiWilH-mQxXM4ixS2z6&index=10 )
Taylor - Warren, Illinois open 1965 0-1
Smith-Morra Accepted, Scheveningen Formation
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3SLFLbcra2
Later on in this book there is a tribute to the late Jim Warren.
Here is a good example of this great chess player.
15. Smith Morra vs Sildmets
Smith-Morra Accepted, Scheveningen Formation
Sawyer (2100) - Sildmets (2356), corr APCT 1982 0-1
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/BoqCbZqEe
96.1% vs 96.7% accuracy
Sawyer says "I had chances in this game, but I got outplayed by the master. It was a privilege to play Sildmets."
2.c3 Alapin games
( chess.com Alapin lessons: https://www.chess.com/lessons/learn-the-sicilian-alapin-variation
Alapin opening theory from Hanging Pawns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGP0qWscORM&list=PLssNbVBYrGcDUDYiWilH-mQxXM4ixS2z6&index=4 and from Gothamchess aka IM Rozman here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxV8l3x7hOg )
16. Morris Meets My 2.c3
Sawyer (2100) - Morris (2250) 1/2-1/2
There seems to be a typo in the notation because 14. Rc1 can't be played due to the bishop being on c1.
17. Chandler Mating Attack
5 min blitz game Bill Chandler as "ProjectAlpha" vs TommyRuff 1-0
This one is more heavy on annotation, as blitz games tend to feature more mistakes. Sawyer says "Lighten up. It's a game. Have fun!"
18. Alapin 2.c3 Chess Mess
Another blitz game, with Sawyer losing to the higher rated player. Black resigns on move 21.
messchess (2626) - Sawyer (2391), ICC 3 1 u Internet Chess Club, 27.11.2002 1-0
19. Alapin Curious King Move
Rookie (2486) - Sawyer (2241), ICC 5 0 Internet Chess Club, 05.09.2009 1/2 - 1/2
20. Baffo Two Pawns Attack
https://www.chess.com/openings/Alekhines-Defense-Two-Pawns-Lasker-Variation-4...Nd5-5.Nc3-e6
Baffo (2273) - Sawyer (1960), corr USCF 18.03.1996 1/2-1/2
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/UNZPJb2AA
21. Mike Sharp 2.c3 Attack
Sharp (2050) - Sawyer (2050), corr APCT 1980 0-1
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/4EW6u3Xe7x
Sawyer outplays Sharp in a rook ending. 91.3% vs 99.1% accuracy
22. Sicilian vs David Taylor
Taylor (2200) - Sawyer (2050), corr ACPT 1980 1/2-1/2
2.Nc3 games (leading to closed Sicilian and Grand Prix variations)
23. Run Over By Closed Ruiz
USCF Master Glenn James Ruiz (2083) - Sawyer (2100), corr APCT 1982 1-0
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3xMHoYa1m8
An inspired move 22 by Ruiz, outplaying Sawyer.
24. Richy Rich Grand Prix
RichyRich - Sawyer, ICC 3 0 Internet Chess Club 11.12.2012 0-1
25. Taormina Grand Prix
Daniel J. Taormina (1241) - Sawyer (2010), Williamsport chess club, PA 15.05.2001 0-1
26. Wolff Closed Sicilian
Stephen D. Wolff (2200) - Tim Sawyer (2000), corr CCLA 1980 1-0