Kingside castling is possible for White in the Sicilian. Sometimes White still does a kingside pawn storm, but that produces very complicated games; often White simply tries to play in the center or queenside.
I have no idea about that opening moves, but as I see it, Black's big problem is not so much that the light squares are weak, but that when White castles queenside and launches a kingside pawn storm (as I think he should), White can rapidly open lines once a pawn reaches g5 (rather than g6, if Black's pawn was still on f7). [Edit: as bb_gum noted, d5 is a rather weak light square worth exploiting - White has several good options.]
If Black played Bxb3 then I could see Black having a light squared problem, and White's light squared bishop would be very valuable. Often when someone has a positional weakness (light squares, a backward pawn, etc) you should try to make use of it, but sometimes you cannot directly exploit it. However, the weakness will influence things in the game. For example, if you're playing against a weak isolated pawn, you might not be able to win it and have to focus on other aspects of the game. However, the pawn is still always there, always something you might suddenly be able to exploit (and so something your opponent always has to worry about), and something that will benefit you if a heavy piece ending is reached.
In terms of the square around your king being weakened after Bxb3: Black will not be able to open lines on the queenside. If he plays a5 you play Bb5, closing things up. If he plays b5 and then b4, you play Na4, again closing things up.
Hi
I was wondering if anyone can help with some more info on weak squares/color complexes. I've read a lot but still having some trouble with the concept.
I generally get the idea of weak squares, and I can generally see when someone is creating weaknesses in their camp (if it's brutally obvious), but I don't always know how to take advantage.
Here's an example of a position from a game I played that could have happened if black played this way (but he or she did not). I looked at this position in the analysis board on move 8 and thought, "well if that happens I wouldn't really know what to do next, besides kick the knight with f3."
My amateur thoughts:
1. I can see what looks like a weakening of the light squares for black around the king, right? How best to take advantage?
2. What if Bxb3 and now I have to recaptue axb3 - have I weakened my own ability to castle long or is that still safe? Or have I weakened my own squares?
3. Is castling short a possibility for me or does that ruin the ability to pawn storm?
I'd appreciate any advice and thoughts. Trying to improve my positional understanding.
Thanks