Sicilian Taimanov
Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Taimanov

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6 is the Taimanov Sicillian. Black opens up the dark-squared bishop, not fearing the temporarily weak d6 square. Black’s plan is to eventually play d5 and free up the position. The most popular move here is 5.Nc3. But white can also play 5.Nb5, and 5.Be3. We will look at various possible lines of…

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Sicilian Sveshnikov
Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Sveshnikov

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 is the Sveshnikov Sicillian. This is also a very popular variation of Sicilian defense. By playing 5…e5, black allows a hole d5 square in his position. But on the other hand he gains a few tempo by kicking the white knight. After 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Bg5 a6 8.Na3 b5 we reach…

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Sicilian Scheveningen
Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Scheveningen Chess Opening

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 is the Scheveningen variation of the Sicilian defense. This is also lesser played than the Najdorf and the Dragon variation. Black intends to put more control on the d5 square and eventually play d5. White has three main options here. 6.g4, 6.Be3 and 6.Bg2 Keres attack with 6.g4 6.g4 is…

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Sicilian dragon chess opening
Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Dragon Chess Opening

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 is called Sicillian dragon opening. This is less popular than Sicilian Najdorf, but still very popular at all levels of chess. Black wants to fianchetto the bishop and castle short instead of playing e5 or e6 and Be7. White has two major ways of playing against the Sicilian dragon. Yugoslav…

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Van Geet Opening
Openings

Van Geet Opening

1.Nc3 is called the Van Geet opening. It is a rare first move. Although it fulfills the fundamental principle of controlling the center, this move is not as popular as 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4 or 1.Nf3. Drawbacks of 1.Nc3 There are 3 main drawbacks of 1.Nc3 1. It doesn’t stop the advance of black’s center pawn. 1.Nf3 stops the move 1…e5.…

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kadas opening
Openings

Kadas Opening

Kadas Opening starts with 1.h4. You will rarely see this in any serious games because it is completely against the opening theory. The move is basically passing the initiative to black. Drawbacks of 1.h4 On the other hand, this move breaks three fundamental opening principles. Because of these 3 major downsides, this opening is not recommended for white. Also, there…

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