Which variation of the Sicilian?

Originally posted by scandium
That is the so called Grand Prix Attack. Its a fairly popular anti-Sicilian.

Technically the Grand Prix Attack is 2 Nc3 and then 3 f4. After 1 e4 c5 2 f4 d5!, Black is probably already equal.

GM Gufeld recommended 1 e4 c5 2 f4 in his book, "An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player."

One could create an almost complete White repertoire based on the moves 1 e4 and 2 f4. 1 e4 and 2 f4 can be played against all major replies to 1 e4 except for 1...d5 and 1...Nf6.

Originally posted by gaychessplayer
Technically the Grand Prix Attack is 2 Nc3 and then 3 f4. After 1 e4 c5 2 f4 d5!, Black is probably already equal.

GM Gufeld recommended 1 e4 c5 2 f4 in his book, "An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player."

One could create an almost complete White repertoire based on the moves 1 e4 and 2 f4. 1 e4 and 2 f4 can be played against all major replies to 1 e4 except for 1...d5 and 1...Nf6.

after d5 white can play Nf3 and get a crazy game in the Grand Prix. There is even a nice queen sac line that several people (myself included) have been looking at over the past few years though one GM published a rather authoritative study on the line and showed it to be good for white.. my analysis kinda ended after I saw that 😛.

Originally posted by scandium
2. b4 is the Wing Gambit. And as far as the Sveshnikov goes, I think you are mistaking that for something else since its black who elects to play it, which he would hardly do if he hated it.

You're right about the Wing gambit,but not about the Sveshnikov because it's white that chose to play 2.c3 (this is also known as the Alapin variation).The tribute for thorough elaboration of this system must be paid to GM E.Sveshnikov.In my country 2.c3 iagainst the sicilian is best known as the Sveshnikov attack.

Originally posted by roaringking87
You're right about the Wing gambit,but not about the Sveshnikov because it's white that chose to play 2.c3 (this is also known as the Alapin variation).The tribute for thorough elaboration of this system must be paid to GM E.Sveshnikov.In my country 2.c3 iagainst the sicilian is best known as the Sveshnikov attack.

The Sveshnikov variation of the Sicilian is as follows: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cx4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5. I don't know what you're going on about with calling the Alapin the "Sveshnikov atack". I suppose you could call it whatever you want, just don't expect others to have any idea what you're talking about.

One last thing: whatever you call 2. c3 in the Sicilian, its not thought to offer white much advantage as black gets a good game with either 2... Nf6 or 2... d5. So again, why would black "hate it" when its such a tame line?

If you're still interested in it I'm willing to play you some unrated games with white or black as I also play the Open Sicilian with white and can always use the practice. And I'm happy to discuss it via PM too.[/b]

Thanks for the excellent info. and offer to play unrated games, scandium... I will go explore some of thes other Siclian variations first, then maybe take you up on your offer if things don't work out while I'm "out there".


There seems to be no place else to go in response to 1. e4-- I've tried most all of them--- never seems to be a resting place with other defenses to e4-- always looking for one that is better, and you can't go any higher than 1. ...c5!

Originally posted by Chipotle
Personally I like the Kan, as you can play more positional systems out of a Sicilian. But it is a Sicilian & you have to beware not getting developed in time and getting crushed.

I've read that the Kalashnikov and the Kan are the most positional of them all...I wonder about the Classical and Shevenigen variations also.

Originally posted by Crushing Day
Thanks for the excellent info. and offer to play unrated games, scandium... I will go explore some of thes other Siclian variations first, then maybe take you up on your offer if things don't work out while I'm "out there".


There seems to be no place else to go in response to 1. e4-- I've tried most all of them--- never seems to be a resting place ...[text shortened]... to e4-- always looking for one that is better, and you can't go any higher than 1. ...c5!

No problem, my offer is open anytime you'd like to accept just PM me. One really nice thing about the Sicilian is that it is very rich in variations to choose from and each is somewhat distinct from the others. When I first took it up I spent about a year just experimenting with the first variations I was interested in: the Acc. Dragon, and the Sicilian Pin variation (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4?!) before I settled on the 4 Ns.

Another nice thing about the Sicilian is that even if the first line(s) you try, if you later determine they're not for you then all is not lost since much of the knowledge and familiarity gained will simply bolster your understanding of the next Sicilian you try and aid you in learning it that much faster.

After 3 years of the 4 Ns I'm currently aiming now to learn Sveshnikov theory both for transpositions and to play straight out occasionally. Its a very fascinating opening that, once drawn in, you can really find yourself seeking to both broaden your knowledge on your variation and branch out into other variations.

I have to confess to some bias though as right from the start the Sicilian has always been, far and away, my favourite opening with black.

Originally posted by Crushing Day
I've read that the Kalashnikov and the Kan are the most positional of them all...I wonder about the Classical and Shevenigen variations also.

The Kan certainly is. Black often develops quietly, holds back (sometimes in a hedgehog) while both sides develop and white begins his attack. Usually black will try and ride it out with active defense with the goal of breaking it on the rocks of his ramparts and then going over to a winning endgame.

I don't know that I'd rank the Kalashnikov among the more positional lines. It does have a pretty distinct character though. Very active, seeking exchanges and strong squares for the black pieces with enduring pressure in the center and on white's Kside. That's my impression of it. Its quite different from say the Kan. A very solid opening though too.

Originally posted by Crushing Day
I've read that the Kalashnikov and the Kan are the most positional of them all...I wonder about the Classical and Shevenigen variations also.

Speaking from experience, the Kan seems fairly solid, especially if you research the lines in the databases or elsewhere. The Kalashnikov can turn nasty for Black very quickly. Even though it's similar to the Sveshnikov, in terms of central pawn structure, it is my understanding that the Sveshnikov is much more solid for Black; and it is my experience that the Kalashnikov puts a hole on d5 which is difficult for Black to occupy, but easy for a White knight to occupy; and while a piece exchange on d5 (say, for a Black bishop, with the latter stationed defensively on e6) will fill the hole by means of a recapture with the e-pawn, the resulting position is quite tenuous for Black if his opponent is strong. In general, my experience is that the Kalashnikov's early ...e5 permits structural weaknesses which a strong White player can use to make Black's game reactive from the early stages of the opening. That is, Black must struggle to defend accurately while White has the initiative and dictates the terms of play. While this might work out alright for someone with a strong knowledge of the opening and strong general chess skills, I doubt that I would recommend the Kalashnikov to an intermediate player such as you or I. The best way to find out what might be in store for you is to play it against a strong chess engine and see how quickly you get overrun. The usual line goes: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 5.Nb5 a6 6.Nd6+ Bxd6 7.Qxd6 and you can take it from there as Black.

Originally posted by Crushing Day
So many good choices for Black --- how do you choose?

The only exceptions would be the Dragon, Accl. Dragon, Najdorf, and Four Knights-- they're good, just not my cup of tea.

I'm looking at the Taimanov, Kan, Sveshnikov, and the Kalashnikov-- maybe even the Classical--- a good variation to be played here and G/10 blitz (maybe even OTB someday). Something that leans toward positional play instead of mostly tactics.

i used to play the Najdorf mainly, but i find the Taimanov suits me better. The Najdorf is sound but you really have to have your wits about you to pull it off against a competent and aggressive white. The early e6 rather then d6 makes a lot of difference, i find. I usually aim for the Scheveningen 'small centre' (pawns on d6 and e6), and look to advance to e5 at an opportune moment.

Originally posted by gaychessplayer
Technically the Grand Prix Attack is 2 Nc3 and then 3 f4. After 1 e4 c5 2 f4 d5!, Black is probably already equal.

GM Gufeld recommended 1 e4 c5 2 f4 in his book, "An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Player."

One could create an almost complete White repertoire based on the moves 1 e4 and 2 f4. 1 e4 and 2 f4 can be played against all major replies to 1 e4 except for 1...d5 and 1...Nf6.

i want to double-check what i was going to write here.