It's rather simple. By reading books and going through many lessons on openings, the answer varies. 2. Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 and I would play 3...e6. Regularly, 2.d4 is played and I would play 2...e6, but there's other ways to play it. In other words, the way that you play is the many ways that you can play the Sicilian, 1.e4 c5. Gameknot has an opening database that you can try out.

I know but I cannot bring myself to try these openings in proper matches because I am not sure how to carry it through.

In a game against yourself, you can try these other openings out to see if you can work out the right plans. You could also look at games in the database and see how they continued so you can see the different plans that are possible if you play a given opening.

In fact, this is the most agressive move for White.

From here, I play the Four Knights Game, the most criticized opening in the world. Truely, I would criticize the Damiano Defence.

That would put white in a bad position as that gives black the oppurtunity to move his bishop to b4.

Two Knights. I can deal with openings other than the Four Knights, but I am concerned about how people use other openings. The Ruy Lopez is one of them, because, for some reason, people think that they will be fine using it. 20% of study time has to be on that opening. As Black, I continue developement by bringing out the other knight and watch as people have no idea how to play the game out.

Giuoco Piano, the 'quiet game' in Italy. I just love Italian openings. There's a lot of responses to this opening.

Giuoco Pianissimo, another part to the Giuoco Piano. I think it's a more passive version of the Giuoco Piano.

The main line of the Guioco Pianisssimo. My next move would be 5.Nc3, the Giuoco Pianissimo Four Knights.

Black might as well try 5...d5 or castling kingside. d5 is more agressive and risky.

I wouldn't play d5 because white will then be able to capture the pawn on f7 and the rook and the queen would be forked while castling is a lot safer.

@lastav: 5...d5 6.Nxf7?? Kxf7 (it's not defended by the bishop anymore because ...d5 interposes on the line of the bishop).

This is why 5.Ng5 was bad.

There was an option of taking the pawn but I believe that a knight and a bishop are better than a rook and a pawn.

You're right.

Also not necessary... Black is definitely better.

8. c3 instead?