Richter-Rauzer is the most popular attack against the classical Sicilian, which starts with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5. This is a very aggressive and sharp line played often at top-level chess. 6…e6 is the main line here. But black can also play sidelines like 6…Qb6, 6…Bd7 and 6…a6 6…e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 is the…
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5 is the Kalashnikov Sicilian. This line is very similar to Sveshnikov, with a difference that Nf6 and Nc3 have not been played. This way black avoids the pin that occurs in Sveshnikov after Bg5. 5.Nb5 is the best move here. Other moves allow black to equalize easily. For example, after 5.Nf5 d5…
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…
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…
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…
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…
