In Part 1 of his Sicilian repertoire, IM Ogulcan Kanmazalp was dealing with the position arising after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5. Despite the fact that 6.Bg5 is by far the most critical continuation, White has decent alternatives. These alternatives are the topic of the current database.
The author deals with 7 alternatives to the main move 6.Bg5 - 6.Nb3, 6.h3, 6.f4, 6.g3, 6.f3, 6.Be3, 6.Be2, and 6.Bc4. With the exception of 6.Bc4, these moves are more positional and less critical than 6.Bg5. In the arising positions, the knowledge of the typical plans and ideas is much more important than the memorization of concrete lines. The move 6.Bc4 is considerably sharper and requires a more concrete approach.
As in the first database, IM Kanmazalp comes up with new ideas in all the lines.
The survey consists of 12 theoretical chapters and 24 interactive test positions.
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Since a long period of time, the so-called Rauzer-Richter Variation is been considered as one of the most reliable Sicilian weapons. A simple check in the database is enough to see that over the years this line has been employed by the World's best players. The arising positions are usually very subtle from a positional point of view. One should understand very well the typical pawn structures in order to play the Rauzer. That is why the player with a better understanding has good chances to outplay his opponent.
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In Part 1, IM Renato Quintillano wrote a quick summary of Black's main ideas and goals in the Najdorf, explaining the reasons why he thinks it is the most reliable option for Black in the Sicilian. In that database, he dealt with the positional lines, in which White wants to keep the position under control and prevent Black from taking the initiative, playing for a small advantage and a strategic approach. Time has come now to deal with those uncompromising lines, in which White seeks a direct attack against the black king, initiating a bloody battle for the initiative. Here the game tends to develop in a very concrete way, and both sides need to search for tactical resources and attacking ideas, instead of strategic motifs and positional maneuvers, as in the first database. Some move orders and subtleties gain in importance now, and strong calculation skills are required.
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The Najdorf is the most popular Sicilian played in tournaments, and our author IM Renato Quintiliano considers it the most reliable option in the Sicilian universe. It promises an active game for Black and real chances of playing for a win. The main practical problem for Black, however, is that White has a really wide range of options to face the Najdorf. White can even avoid an open and sharp battle for the initiative and instead go for more solid and positional lines, which can prove a problem for aggressive Black players. It means that if you want to develop a deep knowledge about the Sicilian Najdorf, in order to use this opening as a weapon in your repertoire, it is necessary to not only be aware of long and sharp theoretical lines, but also of positional ideas, typical maneuvres and structures, developing a good strategic understanding about them. These positional lines will be the subject of our first (of three) databases dedicated to the Sicilian Najdorf.
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Rossolimo variation seems to be the only reasonable alternative to the main lines. In this database, GM Neiksans tries to stay true to the original spirit of the first part and offer you variations which are easy to remember and play on the board. After all, that is the whole concept of the Anti-Sicilian approach!
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Nowadays the Moscow variation is extremely popular, and one of the reasons is the current World Champion Magnus Carlsen. His approach to the chess has changed the way of thinking for many - not to strive for advantage in the opening, but get an easy play with a logical development of the pieces. Don't be mistaken though - Magnus Carlsen may play off-beat variations but he does know them really well. Right now pretty much all of the top level players who choose 1.e4 play a decent amount of the Moscow variation as well.
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The Paulsen Sicilian, also known as Kan variation is one of the most practical options for Black against 1.e4. A perfect mix between the Scheveningen – Taimanov – Hedgehog schemes that allows you to play a fighting game without many forced lines. Many strong grandmasters have employed it regularly and achieved great success with it, Lajos Portisch, Ilya Smirin, Vadim Milov just to name a few. Not just that, champions like Carlsen and Kramnik have played it successfully as well.
The main incentive to play the Sicilian Kan is to take your opponents into a battle where talent and creativity overweight memory.
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