This why sicillian is called a double edged opening!

I'm not sure Be6 is really odd at all. It controls d5 which is a common theme in this pawn structure.

Its "This Is". Sorry for the mistake in the topic name

I would prefer to play a maroczy formation playing 6.c4 instead of 6.N1c3

@ OP :

It cuts both ways

Sicilian's like a knife

That cuts both ways

It's driven deep into my heart each time

That I realize

How sharp it is

(I altered the lyrics of a Gloria Estefan song :D )

@ pfren :

thank you for your insightful and helpful posts :)

pfren, what's the idea of 8. Nc4? I mean, rerouting the knight to a better square, but why so urgently? Because of the threat of b5 and a fork?

In my humble opinion, the reason why Sicilian is called double-edged is because Sicilian often leads to the opposite-castled position where each side can attack opponent's king with a pawn storm: White attacks on the kingside, and black will do the same on the queenside.

Great game anyway!

Yeah sorry, I edited my post. Why so urgently? Simply because after b5 the knight can no longer use the square? The knight moves a lot going to b5 rather than straight back to f3. What does 5. Nb5 achieve? It seems like black will have the hole on d5 anyway after e5 is played.

Looks like the ideal situation is what happened in game though.

I have the feeling ( i'm not so knowledgeable, you see :D ) that not all Sicilian variations are "double edged" though... I think I've heard this expression mostly for the Dragon...

Thanks. I suppose I didn't see why forcing d6 early was so desirable, ignoring that they may later be able to support a d5 push.

@pfren

    Thanks for the insights....i always find myself a newbie in opening knowledge. 

Let me start off by saying that I'm no great player but am steadily improving since joining this server....

I play the Sicilian 90% of the time because of its many variations and often my winning /drawing percentages are equal to my wins as white when played correctly...so you are accurate when you say "The Sicilian is a Double edged Sword"

I personally feel in this game....you neglected to castle sooner than later ...leaving your king exposed to long ....I know its a Captain Obvious type comment....but just some something that really stood out for me....

A suggestion would be to start a Sicilian based tournament (non-rated) to have players familiarize themselves with the opening...and its many variations it can lead into...wish you continued success!!!

-God speed (Sal)

thanks mate...