the sicilian

im something of a noob to chess and often have trouble playing black, seeing as the sicilian has such a high win rae for black i was wondering how id go about learning it, i was hoping to do so without having to purchase a book but feel free suggest any that might be benificial

First of all, if you learn openings before you have played at least 1000 games you will stunt your progress and enjoyment in the game. Follow opening principles, do not learn openings.

Secondly, the main reason for the Sicilian's strong statistics is indirectly because it usually creates a double edged game in which a draw is a less likely outcome. This causes most players to play it more frequently when against weaker opposition. I am not saying that this tactic is correct, just that it is common.

I just started playing back in November, and I almost always played e5 in response to e4 and d5 in response to d4.  I don't see d4 as much as e4 recently but I have been using the sicilian (1.e4  c5) and then playing e6 or Nc6 on my second and third moves typically.  I have been having a lot of success and I have found that many of the players I'm playing against get really aggressive and make mistakes early in the game.   Also I have found that by following those first three moves I end up in some very good offensive and defensive positions regardless of what my opponent does. 

I think that lower rated players (such as myself) are not as familiar with openings like c5 in response to e4, so it throws them off.  A lot of players have tried to use the scholar mate against me when I play the sicilian, and you can tell they must see e5 a lot to do that against the sicilian.  I almost always end up attacking their queen for three moves with different pieces after they take the pawn on c5 and end up way ahead in development.

So I have to disagree slightly, I think that learning alternative responses to e4 and d4 other than e5 and d5 can be very successful for a newer player. 

Just my two cents!

Lovely! Nice game

You're too low rated to start studying openings.