The Sicilian Defense is the opening given by the moves 1. e4 c5, and it is one of the most popular replies to white's 1. e4.
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How does one respond to 3.d4 after playing the Sicilian?
I was black in this game, and white went ahead and played 3.d4 even though I clearly had it guarded, however once played, white now has the queen as an additional defender, and the queen was able to ...
3
votes
1answer
54 views
Is this a popular variation/continuation of the Sicilian Defence?
I've grown fond of playing this opening with black against e4. I know it starts with the Sicilian but if it has a name or some background that would be nice to know.
[FEN ""]
1.e4 c5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Bg2 ...
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1answer
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How to best respond to an early black Qa5 in the Smith-Morra gambit?
I often play the Smith-Morra gambit. Recently I've been seeing black play an early Qa5, such as
[fen ""]
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Qa5 4. *
or
[fen ""]
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Nf3 Qa5+ 4. *
It ...
5
votes
3answers
131 views
Sicilian defense : what's the best answer to 2.Qh5?
I've seen one video on youtube about the sicilian defense and wanted to try it on a game. In this game, my opponent played 2. Qh5, trying to capture c5,and if b6 then Qd5 and rook is taken whatever I ...
8
votes
2answers
236 views
What is a good, aggressive response against the Sicilian Defense?
I would like to learn a good response against the Sicilian defense (in your opinion), for both blitz and slower games.
I am looking for a more aggressive response, since it fits best my style. ...
8
votes
2answers
255 views
Najdorf Variation: strategy after taking poisoned pawn?
After
[FEN ""]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. Qd2 Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. e5 dxe5 11. fxe5
what are black's main strategic goals? As this is supposed to be ...
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votes
3answers
167 views
Why is 4…e5 not popular in the Smith-Morra Gambit?
When I encounter the Sicilian as White, I often will play the Smith-Morra Gambit. My opponent played 4...e5, but this does not appear to be a very popular move as there are only 2 games on ...
7
votes
3answers
129 views
Taking the knight on c6 in open Sicilians
Why is it generally uncommon (unsound?) for white to capture the knight on c6 in open Sicilians?
For example (this is just an example; I'm not referring to this specific position, but similar ...
4
votes
2answers
51 views
Castling long in Sicilians (for black)
When/Why does black do it? What kind of strategies should both sides adopt in such games? What kinds of games does it give rise to (i.e. positional or tactical)? Which players are well known ...
5
votes
2answers
109 views
What are some of the main ideas in the Grand Prix attack?
I was looking at ways to improve my game by making it more sharp and be able to attack the kingside as quickly as possible, and I found a move that looks interesting called the Grand Prix Attack in ...
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2answers
323 views
What are the consequences of an early a6 in the Sicilian?
Once I encountered an opponent who used a very early a6 in his Sicilian Opening.
[FEN ""]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6
What could be his objective with this move and how should I have encountered it?
