Fight the Anti-Sicilians (9h Running Time) 

Fight the Anti-Sicilians

The camp of GM Papaioannou - Fight the Anti-Sicilians is already a digital product. 

This product includes all the videos from the workshop as well as the PGN file related to the training sessions. Overall, the material consists of 9 hours of video and a PGN database, which includes 174 files! 

You will find the following lectures:

✅ Practical Repertoire against the Alapin

✅ Closed Sicilian and Second Move Alternatives

✅ 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 - Complete Repertoire for Black

✅ Full Repertoire against Systems Based on Delayed c2-c3 and Early f2-f3

✅ 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 - Lines without c2-c3 and d2-d4

✅ 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 - Lines with c2-c3 and d2-d4

Now, we shall take a look at the different lectures.

Practical Repertoire against the Alapin

The Alapin variation has always been considered one of the most annoying options against the Sicilian Defence. In this lecture, GM Papaiaonnou suggests a simple antidote - 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 e6

There are many other options like Bg4, Nc6, etc. But after investigating for a lot of time in this position, Papaioannou figured out the text move is quite interesting as well. It allows us to play for a win without taking many risks. As we will see in the files, we will develop our light-squared bishop through b6-Ba6 or Bd7-Bb5. Overall, it is a very exciting and underrated system.

Below, you shall see one of the model games.

Closed Sicilian and Second Move Alternatives

This lecture deals with all the possible second moves that White can play after 1.e4 c5

By far the most serious option on the second move is 2.Nc3. At this point, Papaioannou suggests the tricky 2...a6! which is sound and very practical. Since in this case there is a possible transposition to the Kan Variation, in the PGN file you will find some of the lines (relevant for us) from the excellent database of GM Michael Roiz Play the Kan Sicilian - Complete Repertoire for Black.

Below, you will find one of the model games from this lecture.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 - Complete Repertoire for Black

This lecture examines 4.Qxd4. This is an important variation in the sense that we can greatly improve our understanding of the Najdorf because sometimes positions arise that resemble the Open Sicilian Najdorf and the Moscow Variation. Topalov once said he found 4.Qxd4 as natural continuation as 4.Nxd4, but luckily you will be well-equipped to handle this line after this lecture.

Our repertoire is based on 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6

This is the most common continuation. Play normally continues with 5.Bb5 Bd7 6.Bxc6 Bxc6 7.Nc3 after which the recommendation of this lecture is not the'main line' 7...Nf6 but rather 7...h7-h6. In the theoretical section and the model games, it will become clear why this move offers easier play for Black compared to 7...Nf6 and how you should react against the sidelines.

Here is one of the model games.

Full Repertoire against Systems Based on Delayed c2-c3 and Early f2-f3

In this lecture, Papaioannou covers the Delayed Alapin Sicilian & some sidelines. As always, his aim is to find lines that give us easier play with a lot of chances to fight for the win.

The Delayed Alapin Variation occurs after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3. In this case, our approach is based on 3...Nf6. In the arising complex positions, Black has every chance to fight for a win.

Another system that is examined in the lecture is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.f3

This system shouldn't be underestimated. White wants to follow with c2-c4, thus building the typical Maroczy Bind. In order to get counterplay, Black should play very energetically. Papaiaonnou suggests an approach based on 5...e5 followed by ...a7-a5. Theoretical analysis, as well as the model games, prove that Black has sufficient counterplay.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 - Lines without c2-c3 and d2-d4

In this lecture, we learn how to meet the lines of 3.Bb5+ Nd7 Sicilian, where White goes for plans connected with d2-d4 without c3. The resulting structures are those of the Open Sicilian and many typical ideas and plans remain similar.

One of the most important positions in the lecture arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5 Nd7 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 a6 6.Bxd7 Qxd7

We have original plans including ...e5,...Qc6, ...Be6, and many times managing without the ...h6 move typical for the 6...Bxd7 line. Black will get adequate counterplay against White's play centered around the d5-square.

Below, you can see one of the examples.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 - Lines with c2-c3 and d2-d4

In this lecture, we learn the systems of the 3.Bb5+ Nd7 Sicilian where White goes for the c3-d4 setup in the centre. The game structurally resembles the Ruy Lopez, many times becoming very similar to the Breyer variation after we fianchetto our dark-squared bishop right away or later and play the ..e5 break.

The following position is quite typical for all these setups:

We keep the possibility of the long castle open, which will come in useful in one line. Still, we castle short against the majority of options, of course. In the resulting maneuvering game, we should not prematurely release the tension with ...cxd4.

Below, you can take a look at one of the examples.