I have quite often played Sicilian with Black (but also with White) and I was usually satisfied with the opportunities - a draw or even a win against higher rated players was possible. Sometimes White gets considerable attacking chances, but he has to take risks to obtain them (f.ex. in the "Poisoned Pawn Variation"), and if Black is able to survive the attack he often ends up with a better endgame. And if White chooses to play it safe, Black can equalize quite easily.
Nowadays I usually avoid the mainline Dragon (when I play with the white pieces) by playing the positional g3 (Bg2, 0-0). This is not bad, but also here Black has chances if White makes inaccuracies (I once ended up in a slightly worse endgame - which I lost eventually).
The Sveshnikov is interesting too (I used to play it some years ago), White has to know what he is doing or he might get into trouble (Black's pawn structure is static, but his knights on f6 and c6 are perfectly placed right from the beginning). With White it is almost impossible to prepare every variation, Black has nearly always a chance to surprise him.
Nowadays I usually avoid the mainline Dragon (when I play with the white pieces) by playing the positional g3 (Bg2, 0-0). This is not bad, but also here Black has chances if White makes inaccuracies (I once ended up in a slightly worse endgame - which I lost eventually).
The Sveshnikov is interesting too (I used to play it some years ago), White has to know what he is doing or he might get into trouble (Black's pawn structure is static, but his knights on f6 and c6 are perfectly placed right from the beginning). With White it is almost impossible to prepare every variation, Black has nearly always a chance to surprise him.
And what you forgot to mention that it is not so much fun against all the antisicilians you got to know
I have played the Dragon for about 30 years with reasonable succes and joy, but alas my memory and calculation skills aren't that good (anymore). ;-) Now I play more solid openings. Do you think the King's Indian is the counterpart (if this is good English...) of the Sicilian, against 1.d4?
@mathyxxx said in #3:
> And what you forgot to mention that it is not so much fun against all the antisicilians you got to know
I have the same feelings about the Dutch.
> And what you forgot to mention that it is not so much fun against all the antisicilians you got to know
I have the same feelings about the Dutch.
It has endless theory and point 4 is not even an argument, in the basic position after 1.e4 Black has even more choice. The SuperGMs in point 5 learn this out of necessity, I feel sorry for them having to learn the variations full-time until move 30 and beyond
GM gabuyan: "guys guys you should play the Sicilian as black! It's FUN!"
Also GM gabuyan: lichess.org/7KjeVwkV 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. f4...
(Not the only recent game where he plays that same anti sicilian btw, he goes for that line whenever he can, but doesn't mention it in the article)
Also GM gabuyan: lichess.org/7KjeVwkV 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. f4...
(Not the only recent game where he plays that same anti sicilian btw, he goes for that line whenever he can, but doesn't mention it in the article)
it seems that this article forgot to add the fine print disclaimer: all that only applies to the open sicilians and the finer points of white's random reputable (and not-so-reputable) anti-sicilians are left as an exercise to the reader. but okay asymmetric structure always means something i guess
@Kajurn said in #7:
> GM gabuyan: "guys guys you should play the Sicilian as black! It's FUN!"
>
> Also GM gabuyan: lichess.org/7KjeVwkV 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. f4...
>
> (Not the only recent game where he plays that same anti sicilian btw, he goes for that line whenever he can, but doesn't mention it in the article)
I checked the line in question from the fast moving train and concluded that in most straightforward lines white isn't doing all that great in this one either..
Trying to catch someone in Pet Lines can quickly backfire esp with Sicilian openings. Finding some antidote against some anti-sicilians is a difficult task.
> GM gabuyan: "guys guys you should play the Sicilian as black! It's FUN!"
>
> Also GM gabuyan: lichess.org/7KjeVwkV 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. f4...
>
> (Not the only recent game where he plays that same anti sicilian btw, he goes for that line whenever he can, but doesn't mention it in the article)
I checked the line in question from the fast moving train and concluded that in most straightforward lines white isn't doing all that great in this one either..
Trying to catch someone in Pet Lines can quickly backfire esp with Sicilian openings. Finding some antidote against some anti-sicilians is a difficult task.
@mathyxxx said in #3:
> And what you forgot to mention that it is not so much fun against all the antisicilians you got to know
You are welcome to share your opinion, however I have a course against antisiclian from Black's side and I am really satisfied with all the positions.
Good luck!
> And what you forgot to mention that it is not so much fun against all the antisicilians you got to know
You are welcome to share your opinion, however I have a course against antisiclian from Black's side and I am really satisfied with all the positions.
Good luck!