30 Jun 06
Originally posted by exigentskyThe whole point of the Sicilian is to create an imbalance and make things risky for both sides (I'm sure you know this) and so pretty much every Sicilian you look at will have it's pro's and con's. The sveshnikov has poor pawn structure, the Dragon has to face the Yugoslav (which btw only scores 1% above average for white, while the g3 variation scores about 6% above average for white). The safest option is the Najdorf, but a lot of people don't want the theory/quiet positions that (sometimes) go along with it. It just seems like you are worrying about the one or two weaknesses of the opening but not focusing on its benefits.
I've played and analyzed the Benoni quite a bit lately. Unfortunately, I dislike some of the resulting positions. It seems black is under enormous kingside pressure in some lines and a win is just as difficult as in the bind. On the other hand, it is more likely that my opponent would not know those lines since they are not quite as straightforward as in ...[text shortened]... eshnikov. If none of those meet my demands, I may go back to e5 with a solid game. (unlikely)
30 Jun 06
Yeah, I am worrying about the opening more than I should considering what I'm up against. However, I want a completely sound opening with good winning chances. I want to be confident in any line. The HAD meets the soundness requirement, but doesn't have enough winning chances in the Maroczy. 🙁
Right now, I'm mainly looking into the Sveshnikov. But some positions seem pretty hard to play for black. For example:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6
3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6
5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6
7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5
9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Nd5 f5
11.Nxb5 axb5 12.Bxb5 Bb7
On the other hand, apart from the Bxf6 line, it is to my liking.
30 Jun 06
Originally posted by exigentskyThat variation can't be all that bad for black bro. You are up a piece. Put it into an engine and see what it's got for you. There is a reasonably new and I think well reviewed book called the Sveshnikov reloaded. Check it out!
Yeah, I am worrying about the opening more than I should considering what I'm up against. However, I want a completely sound opening with good winning chances. I want to be confident in any line. The HAD meets the soundness requirement, but doesn't have enough winning chances in the Maroczy. 🙁
Right now, I'm mainly looking into the Sveshnikov. But som ...[text shortened]... 2QK2R w KQkq - 1 13[/fen]
On the other hand, apart from the Bxf6 line, it is to my liking.
30 Jun 06
Originally posted by !~TONY~!According to Fruit (I can't get my copy of Crafty to analyse as it has this as part of its opening book) the position is in black's favour (-0.82 after 425 seconds) it gives the line 13. exf5 Qh4 14. 0-0 Kd8 15. Bxc6 Bxc6 16. Qd3 Rg8 17. g3 Ra5 18. c4 Bxd5 19. cxd5 Qd4 20. Qxd4 exd4 21. Rfe1 Rxd5.
That variation can't be all that bad for black bro. You are up a piece. Put it into an engine and see what it's got for you. There is a reasonably new and I think well reviewed book called the Sveshnikov reloaded. Check it out!
01 Jul 06
1 edit
Originally posted by !~TONY~!Yeah, you're right. Objectively it is not that bad. It's just that I don't like having messed up pawns and being under so much pressure.
That variation can't be all that bad for black bro. You are up a piece. Put it into an engine and see what it's got for you. There is a reasonably new and I think well reviewed book called the Sveshnikov reloaded. Check it out!
Objectively, this line worries me much more in the Sveshnikov:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6
3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6
5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6
7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 Ne7
9.c4 Nf5 10.Bd3 Be7 11.O-O a6
But still, Black has a decent game.
I'll checkout the book too, thanks.