Kalashnikov, Accelerated Dragon, and Rossolimo
The Kalashnikov reveals its intentions on move four. After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5, the pawn lands in the centre, kicks the d4-knight, and takes the d4- and f4-squares away from White’s pieces.
Black accepts the hole on d5 in return for piece activity and a game with a clear direction. A long-standing favourite of Teimour Radjabov, it is GM Mitrabha Guha’s answer to the Open Sicilian in his new repertoire.
What makes this repertoire unique
Within the Kalashnikov itself, Guha keeps the g8-knight flexible and delays its development until White’s setup is clear. Against the Maroczy-style 6.c4, he recommends the modern 6...g6!?, preparing the fianchetto and the ...f5 break.
The most practical idea comes against 3.Nc3, which Guha answers with 3...g6!?. With the knight already on c3, White can no longer set up the Maroczy, and Black intends to reach a comfortable Accelerated Dragon.
Against the Rossolimo, now at least as popular as the Open Sicilian, the recommendation is the combative 3...d6. Black aims for dynamic, double-edged positions rather than a dry structural fight.
The author and his approach
Guha builds his repertoires on recurring ideas rather than forced lines. Every chapter explains why Black’s setup works, not just which moves to play.
The course is full of fresh analysis, and the recommendations are chosen to keep the game alive. Even against the Alapin, the aim is a fighting position, not mere equality.
Premium Course Features
- 16 theory chapters
- 30 test positions
- 5 training positions to practice against the engine
- Memory Booster
- To-Go version of every chapter
- Video instruction
- Multilingual PGN availability (English, German, French, Spanish)
Rounding out the repertoire
Black players who want a unified arsenal from a single author can pair this Sicilian with Guha’s answers to the other main first moves. His Complete Nimzo-Indian Repertoire and Queen’s Indian Defense for Black together handle 1.d4 in the same understanding-first spirit, so this new course slots in as the 1.e4 piece of a coherent Black repertoire.
Get the course
If you want a Sicilian with a prepared fighting answer to every White system, add The Sicilian with 2...Nc6 – A Flexible Repertoire for Black to your library.