First of all: what is the Sveshnikov Sicilian?
The Sveshnikov Sicilian arises after the following moves:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5
After 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5
, now the "real" Sveshnikov Sicilian position begins:
[FEN "r1bqkb1r/5ppp/p1np1n2/1p2p1B1/4P3/N1N5/PPP2PPP/R2QKB1R w KQkq b6 0 9"]
Now, White has two main ideas to play: take the knight: 9. Bxc6
, or jump right in with 9. Nd5
So, this is actually easy to learn. The first 8 move was all theory, and you just need to learn two game plans with two different moves by Black. If your opponent doesn't know the game plan, I think you'll have an advantage
But, the real problem is: there's no guarantee that your opponent will play right into the Sveshnikov Sicilian. White can play 2. Nc3
instead of 2. Nf3
(close Sicilian), or how about 3.Bg5
instead of 3.d4
(Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo attack). That's only 2 lines of so many more. That's the main problem with the Sicilian defense: there're just so many damn lines, and each line has its own theory.
Conclusion: so it is possible for a ~1500 (or even lower-rated) player to understand the Sveshnikov Sicilian and its middle games. The problem here is you don't even have a chance to play it.