Chess: Sicilian [Archive] - Actuarial Outpost

rekrap

11-03-2004, 11:32 AM

Darth Tater

11-03-2004, 12:44 PM

(*disclaimer: I hate the Sicilian, prefer the French and am somewhat narrow-minded when it comes to this abomination for an opening.*)

I think Larsen got it right when he said, in effect, that when White plays d4, he gives up part of the center for a wing pawn and therefore equalizes or yields the advantage to Black.

However, it is a popular reply for Black and some of the games I've seen are positively crazy, so I guess it can't be all bad.

I don't think I even came close to answering your question however.

Oh, and If White decides to play 1.34 and Black replies with 1...c5, I think white has his best chances with 2. Nc3, 2. c3, or 2.f4...or even 2.b3!

Tim><

11-03-2004, 12:55 PM

I almost always open with the Sicilian when I am white.

Hagbard Celine

11-03-2004, 01:11 PM

I stole this line from this site (http://www.eudesign.com/chessops/sici-02a.htm).

"The main idea of this defence (said to have more variations than any other) is a counter- attack on the Q-side using the Queen's Bishop file as the main pressure line. "

I also think people like to use it because it sort of dictates play. Instead of responding to white's moves (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6) black is saying "I'm controlling the course of events here." Of course white can continue with their original plan, but black still feels like he made his own decision.

rekrap

11-03-2004, 01:20 PM

I've heard these games, especially when white and black castle on different sides can be quite bloody with lots of fireworks. Never really expected that in a chess match... :D

horace goldfarb

11-03-2004, 01:35 PM

Is this response becoming popular because Kasparov (and the like) used the Najdorf and Dragon variations of it with success and otherwise there is very little theory on it compared to 1. e4 e5? The theory on the sharper lines of the Sicilian (poisoned pawn, sveshnikov) dwarfs anything 1. e4 e5 has to offer, with the noted exception of the Marshall attack. The main selling point of the sicilian is that it is very difficult for white to play for a draw without accepting a slight disadvantage. It creates an imbalanced pawn structure, which makes early draws highly unlikely.

Mel-o-rama

11-03-2004, 01:41 PM

I almost always open with the Sicilian when I am white.

You are so funny.

BTW, I happen to like Sicilian pizzas. How bout you?

Macroman

11-03-2004, 01:42 PM

The opening was made popular by masters of the past who played it. Today's masters are greatly influenced by masters of the past who played it and they in turn by players before them.

The Sicilian was heavily analyzed in the 1950's when the big explosion in the amount of published opening theory began because a lot of people played it at the time. Fischer and other top players were very successful with it. Today's masters learned from studying their games and the opening's popularity continues, though I think it has abated somewhat.

Playing the Sicilian is a good idea for black if:

1. you know the openning better than the opponent
2. you are playing for the win not a draw

Typical master statistics for games with the Sicilian have relatively few draws.

Will Durant

11-03-2004, 06:09 PM

Is this response becoming popular because Kasparov (and the like) used the Najdorf and Dragon variations of it with success and otherwise there is very little theory on it compared to 1. e4 e5?
1. This line has been extremely popular since at least the 60s.
2. There's quite a bit of Sicilian theory, it covers 80 ECO classifications (B20-99)

EC1E

09-26-2007, 09:28 PM

1. This line has been extremely popular since at least the 60s.
2. There's quite a bit of Sicilian theory, it covers 80 ECO classifications (B20-99)

I have another popular line. How YOU doin'? You are so going to die. I don't care about your Sicilian theory. We have a plan and you aren't in it. Write your will now.

notmyfriends

09-26-2007, 09:29 PM

http://chromatism.net/current/images/lolcat.jpg

Mathsucks

10-11-2007, 10:37 PM

1. e4 c5

What is black trying to accomplish by not keeping equilibrium with white?
Is it right that black is developing his own initiative/attack/control queenside (where white may decide to castle)? For example, Black could now open up the c-file for his a8 rook.

Is this response becoming popular because Kasparov (and the like) used the Najdorf and Dragon variations of it with success and otherwise there is very little theory on it compared to 1. e4 e5?

There is a HUGE amount of theory on the sicilian (on almost any of them). The dragon was very popular before Kasparov, Najdorf was popular before (Fischer's weapon). I am not sure how it compares to the e4 e5 games. But I personally think it is much easier to play e4 e5 (as black) than any version of the sicilian.

as to the first question alot of heuristics and nice statements can be made but after a while you will have to know a few lines cold.

One of the common pretty statements about the reasons behind it is that you (as black are offering a wing pawn for a center pawn.)

Ofcourse c5 does not develop any pieces hence the reason black comes under severe pressure during most middlegames. but after c5 most black systems revolve in having a robust pawn structure that will tell in the endgame. In the najdorf as a rule if the attack does not work then black wins. That is why black is willing to suffer, he just needs to make 10 or so good moves and he will be much better.

Mick Fan

10-13-2007, 11:37 PM

GosuJohn

10-31-2007, 01:07 PM

The main thinking about 1. ... c5 is that Black would prefer to control the center rather than occupy it.

Some swear that the Najdorf is the absolute perfect way to play chess.

I'm a Caro-Kann man myself. The Sicilian is too well-developed and played by too many people (at least at my level) who like to just memorize openings.

I agree, which is why I use a offbeat sicilian line rather than Najdorf. Najdorf is ALOT of memorization. However there are some very dynamic and exciting lines in it.

Mel-o-rama

11-01-2007, 09:16 AM

Of course - black should beware the Smith Morra!!!

SirVLCIV

11-06-2007, 10:17 PM

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3. Nf3

:grin:

SirVLCIV

11-06-2007, 10:36 PM

Speaking of which... just played as White in a Dragon Sicilian. Very exciting sac of the exchange on move 14... Rxc3

My 19th move.... 19. Kxe4

Black resigned on move 28 after I essentially forced an exchange of queens with me up a rook for two pawns.

This might be a loss for white, but this was 5 0 blitz, and he didn't find the win.

E. Blackadder

11-06-2007, 11:03 PM

Of course - black should beware the Smith Morra!!!

I'm reminded vaguely of a snide annotation in San Antonio '72 (http://www.amazon.com/Antonio-Churchs-Chicken-International-Tournament/dp/0890580006/ref=sr_1_1/105-3827225-8954867?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194407764&sr=8-1) that went something like 1. e4 e5? (better is c5 which gains a pawn) White was Ken Smith, who employed the Smith Morra umpteen times and was crushed, crushed, and crushed!

Sorry, I'd have to find the book to be more specific.

Mel-o-rama

11-07-2007, 09:23 PM

I'm reminded vaguely of a snide annotation in San Antonio '72 (http://www.amazon.com/Antonio-Churchs-Chicken-International-Tournament/dp/0890580006/ref=sr_1_1/105-3827225-8954867?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194407764&sr=8-1) that went something like 1. e4 e5? (better is c5 which gains a pawn) White was Ken Smith, who employed the Smith Morra umpteen times and was crushed, crushed, and crushed!

Sorry, I'd have to find the book to be more specific.

That's funny! It echoes the usual comments that go as follows:

Black: I lost! Where did I go wrong?
White: When you played c5.