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The Sicilian Defense General Info
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euro_pop_legend 14-May-23, 16:22 |
 Deleted by euro_pop_legend on 14-May-23, 16:38.
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euro_pop_legend 14-May-23, 16:24 |
Deleted by euro_pop_legend on 14-May-23, 16:38.
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euro_pop_legend 14-May-23, 16:25 |
Deleted by euro_pop_legend on 14-May-23, 16:38.
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The Sicilian Defense General Info The Sicilian Defense is the most popular defense against white’s opening 1.e4 and is used extensively at top level play. It is a very aggressive defense and immediately stakes claim at the center, denying white the double pawns on e4 and d4. Many chess champions actually prefer to start with 1.d4 because of how well the Sicilian Defense plays against 1.e4. Many players are uncomfortable playing the Sicilian as black or playing against it as white. Many of the stats conclude that white maintains a higher level win ratio,but not by "much"! Here is one stat: www.chessgames.com This particular stat illustrates only a 2% higher win ratio over black and about the same in draws.Overall its about equal with no big bragging rights for the Sicilian.Yet it remains the MOST popular defense to 1.e4,even more than the Ruy Lopez....although I am sure I can dig up some reports that will tell you that the Ruy is more popular.Depends upon which report you are reading! So which variation of the Sicilian is best?Most experts agree that The Open Sicilian is considered the best lines of the Sicilian Defense. 1.e4,c5 2.Nf3,d6 3.d4 Complex tactical play and strategic development with more complicated asymmetrical usually follows through with the open variations,whereas the closed variations tend,by nature to involve a bit more positional play.When White plays d4 early in the game, it is called the Open Sicilian.When White does not play d4 early in the game, it is called the Closed Sicilian. In the Closed Sicilian, black has more space on the Queenside and white has more space on the kingside.Black will often seek to expand on the queenside or strike in the center before white's attack crashes through. The most commonly used in the open systems are: 1.Najdorf 2.Dragon 3.Scheveningen 4.Four Knights 5.Classical Sicilian Non-Open Sicilians initiate when white does NOT play 2.Nf3 and 3.d4,that opens up the game most of the time.This actually offers less chance for a white advantage,BUT and I say BUT, there is much less theory to learn and there may be surprise value in the more unusual lines. Closed Sicilian example: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 Here is a less known fact for black: If you've ever wanted to play the Sicilian Defense but were intimidated by the theory of it, then the O'Kelly variation is what you're looking for. It's underplayed and scores well against 1.e4, and you won't have to learn heaps of theory either.If white follows through in helping to design the O'Kelly,black most of the time pars better statistically.It has been said in many chess circles that the Okelly is the best variation for black out of ALL blacks response variations!That is debatable,of course,but my research and past play confirms it! 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6. Stats: www.365chess.com ---------------------------------------- As for white....the best in the Sicilian response line?That is open to much debate,but some of the latest evidence points to the Alapin....an "antisicilian"!That is IF you want to steer out and away from much of the deep theory lines that black can throw at you!Now,does it offer a superior advantage?No!But its draw characteristics are MUCH higher and offers the advantage that many Sicilian players are not as familiar as to how to handle it! 1. e4,c5 2.c3 |
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So,the choice is yours! But do you hate both open and closed?Then I suggest an anti-sicilian like the Alapin!!! |
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www.365chess.com |
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Continuing the conversations with stalhandske on the Sicilian I don't know if this is the right thread, but I would very much like to make players aware of an unusual version of the Sicilian. For some reason that I still don't understand, I never played the Sicilian as black, and wanted to have some 'method' to get rid of it when starting with e4 as White. I consulted a friend at GK - the very strong player original_sin, who suggested I should try the Sicilian wing gambit. 1. e4; c5 2. b4 I had some success with this (and several losses, too), but I thought I'd recommend it especially as it is somewhat related to Joe's recommended 1. b4 |
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I think I have a Sicilian post somewhere,but I have not transferred it yet from the past club. This is fine for now,I can always move it later. There is one "major"way of getting rid of the standard Sicilian and let me add that first. Have you tried any of the "anti Sicilians"like the Alapin? 1.e4,c5 2.c3 Alapin considered very sound due to the principles of controlling the center and is not considered very risky or overly sharp for White.Black is indeed,many times NOT prepared for this little jewel! As to the wing.... 1.e4,c5 2.b4 Depends upon the wisdom of black as to how well white gets an edge. Most astute players with black generally decline the gambit which many times leaves black in the better. 2.b4,cxb4 3.a3,d5 If black accepts the gambit... 2…cxb4 3. a3,bxa3 4.Nxa3,d6 5.Bb2,Nc6 then white has more flexible options 4.Nxa3, 4.Bxa3 and 4.d4 Thus,white can generally gain an edge over black with more centralized control. My recommendation,if not playing an anti Sicilian like the Alapin,is actually the delayed wing with... playing 2.Nf3 followed by 3.b4 However,black generally edges white statistically if he moves the better... 2....e6 In quick summary: Accepting the gambit allows white = play and better chances statistically. Declining the gambit allows black better chances for the win. For his pawn, White gets quicker development and a central advantage, but it is not generally considered one of White's better choices against the Sicilian. All of this above,however,is not the same world as a "pure" 1.b4 Sokolosky(Polish).Its about 9th in popularity but since it is much less studied in theory compared to the Wing.The Sok has MORE surprise value,at least on the club level due to less theory that has been absorbed on it by opponents on the black side,at least from my experiences. Mainline: 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 Bxb4 3. Bxe5 Nf6 but a good blitz trap: 1. b4 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6? 3. b5! The b-pawn makes itself felt early, driving away black’s knight! After 3…Nd4 4. E3 white will win the e5 pawn and stand much better. Another trap depending upon black... 1. B4 e6 2. Bb2 Bxb4?? 3. Bxg7 and white is winning the rook! Black needs to watch out for tricks along this long diagonal. So,things like this I cover in my Sokolosky post somewhere in the club. In real summary with respect to myself: I prefer the Alapin which to me has resulted in much more = to the Sicilian when I am on the white side. Gambits are more tricky and has left black the better in the wing,that is IF Black is prepared for it. |
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I have very deep info on EACH opening of the Sicilian both open and closed and can and will be more specific when the question and time arises.This was just a general thread. |
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stalhandske 14-May-23, 20:11 |
The Alapin sounds like an interesting and much more promising alternative. I will try that next! But more recently I have also started to 'adjust' to the Sicilian itself both as White and even starting with it as Black. I think it was Victor Korchnoi who said that when a player decides to change his openings it is a sign that he is growing up! Stal |
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Well,my experiences with the Anti-Sicilians tend to be less dynamic and drawish,but draws are a good thing,especially if I am playing someone a 100 rating points higher than me.But there are a total of 3 others you can research,if you do not know them already that are different from the Alapin: 1. The Rossolimo 2. Moscow variations 3. The Closed Sicilian www.chessstrategyonline.com But links are easy!Anyone can copy a link.So let me take you to a gold bar standard!: I do not know what you have or do not have to do any variation research,but you need a good PC,a good opening book,a decent computer program and a good GUI to load the program into. 1. Opening books like: Hiarcs,Fauzi or others.Hiarcs costs a bit but it is worth it,since it gets updated every 3 months.I use a specialized custom Polyglot book from a private source. 2.computer programs:Any,but ones like Fritz,Shredder,Houdini,Comet,Crafty,Stockfish 3.GUI like: Arena,Fritz,Tarrasch,Lucas.Lucas has been popular lately. Without going into extreme detail here(I will leave that to another post which I have here somewhere!).... You basically play against the computer program set on very low Hash(64 MB) and you are opening up the book and looking at it in the Fritz windows(example).You will manually input move for move of any of the variations(Alapin,Moscow,ect).As you do this,you will notice various Trees and subvariants of that variation Pop up in the opening book with stats and more. Input the line you want and continue until the book runs out.You can follow the highest stat recommendations or go with a lower one.Only AFTER the book "runs out"(which might be as high as 30 moves or more),then and only then will you actually be testing it as you play against Shredder/Fritz ect.Or just play engine vs engine!While both engines are analyzing, you LOOK CLOSELY at the pawn value's to determine which opening subvariation seems best for you or at least with the program.Its also a way to determine which anti-sicilians have less researched lines!That is key!This is where you then go deeper into your "out of book" study and use the program to develop a better continuation of an out of book custom line for yourself....say,from move 35 or so. Makes any sense? |
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That is one way.The other is simply let one engine play itself!Infact,I suggest that method over engine vs another engine!Reason:Some engines like Stockfish and Komodo not only run far different in the way they analyze but the pawn value configurations can flux from .20 to over a 1.00 pawn value out of book with some individual independent moves. In summary,you can skip all the computer engine analysis and simply test it all out with a live opponent.But then,that runs obvious risks!Its better to be prepared before simply testing an Alapin against anyone and lose points fast. |
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stalhandske 15-May-23, 00:51 |
Joe But there is a basic difference (which I'll come to at the end) I am sure others are as well, even if they still aren't part of your Club. They nevertheless benefit from its contents, which I hope that you realise even though you don't get responses! This was the case with me and with the precursors of this Club (of which I was not member) in the past; I still got a lot of ideas and help! Reading your 23:40 post, I will certainly have a look at <1. The Rossolimo 2. Moscow variations 3. The Closed Sicilian > of which I so far only knew something about #3 <I do not know what you have or do not have to do any variation research,but you need a good PC,a good opening book,a decent computer program and a good GUI to load the program into. 1. Opening books like: Hiarcs,Fauzi or others.Hiarcs costs a bit but it is worth it,since it gets updated every 3 months.I use a specialized custom Polyglot book from a private source.> Now, I learned after some time at GK that at least the most successive players (like cyrano, and like yourself,and I am sure many more) use extensive opening books in their games, which is of course fully allowed. As you noted, in some openings, these 'books' may go even to move 30. The following is only my view and opinion, and must not be blindly accepted by anyone! But, to me, ANY use of 'book' (a real one or a computer-held database) destroys the basic feeling of the game we call Chess. To me, Chess is in this respect 'sacred' and is a game between two individuals - and those individuals only, without 'added memory' from a database. |
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stalhandske 15-May-23, 01:09 |
I hasten to add.. |
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But learning the variations must me done with either a paperback book(like MCO-15) or something like Hiarcs.Hiarcs is simply much more intense and learning.Computers only enhance learning quicker.Above,I am not suggesting that a program be used against anyone,but during pregame analysis for future live games.Getting visual feedback with the opening trees gives your brain a better supportive psychological tool.But in reality,software books are allowed in CC play,since one could just as easily have MCO-15 on their lap while playing someone on GK live.Its the opening books that are technically OK,but not the analysis program to use against anyone...that is unfair,illegal and immoral.In live OTB chess,of course,one is NOT allowed to keep looking at a paperback book or an electronic opening book...but that is OTB,not CC.If one feels that it is not right to use a book while playing a GK game,then just memorizing the lines or playing "out of book"is equally good. When I play my favorite....The Trompowski as white....I am on my own anyway...usually from move #10! |
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Stal or anyone... Many games are won and lost just on an opening book,whether memorized or used electronically. This is NOT the same as using any opening book,even a paperback book of openings and then COMBINING it with a computer program to then analyze an ONGOING game which is NOT allowed. What I do,Cyrano and thousands of others do,is simply use a better database of opening moves and apply them to their GK games.The GM's do exactly the same!The difference being that GM's have to "memorize"most or all of those past game openings so that they can apply them to an OTB game. By the way,it is interesting that you brought up Cyrano's name.Yes....he is a 2600 rated player and I am a 2400 rated player.But ratings CAN be deceiving!Look at his profile and what do you see relative to his "average"opponent ratings?His average opponents are only 1900+rated!! Now...look at MY average opponent ratings! Mine are 2300+rated!!!!I too,could play hundreds of 1900 rated players with a few 2400-2500 rated thrown in and most likely,but very slowly with fractional point wins....reach 2600!!!! I am not condemning his approach,since he accepts just about any player,even under 1500 if I remember correctly and maybe gets a .02 for the win.And after thousands of games with 1900 players,he can achieve a lofty rating.I had a game with him once and had a draw.I'm not sure if I can even find that game anymore.I will look for it one day when I have the time and willpower.Again,while it is risky(something I rarely do),I could play 50 games at one time and then replace them with another 50 games...all 1800-2000 rated and probably win 98% of them and gain a few more hundred points to equal Cyrano's!!! He just works things different than me.See...other players do not even begin to understand or realize what I have known for decades on many CC sites,GK being just one of them. |
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Anyone can check out my blitz wins!This is a prime example of slowly but surely building up a lofty rating!I have now two or three pages of blitz wins and only ONE loss!!As of this date of the post I reached 1957 from 1200.Now,most of my opponents are very low rated and I MEAN LOW! But I STILL gain fractional points or perhaps an occasional 1 or 2 points.Now,after another 500 games,I will probably reach 2200 or higher!But am I proud of having a 2200 rating after winning 1,500 games against players ,say 1300-1400-1700 blitz rated?Actually no!If anyone askes me...I will tell them that my rating is inflated!!!So,all is relative.But the shadow knows....me. |
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stalhandske 15-May-23, 07:43 |
Joe |
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I just wanted to elaborate a bit further due to the fact that in the future,other readers who are more beginners or do not fully understand things may read into our conversations and misinterpret things.I just won a very rare game against a 2445 player in 18 moves!!!And no,he did not time-out!!  game Have you ever WON a game against a 2400+player in 18 moves or less?You know WHY I won? Well,I am not going to annotate here,that is for another post somewhere....but it was because of my opening book moves and I was still IN BOOK!If he was using a book and it appeared to me he was,for the first 10 moves,his latter moves were weak and inferior,not worthy of a 2400+ player! Perhaps he was not feeling well,I do not know!?But it is a rare gem...indeed! Well,enough about opening books!That is for another thread under opening books! |
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euro_pop_legend 15-May-23, 08:02 |
Deleted by euro_pop_legend on 15-May-23, 08:04.
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or ice claws with me,just bare feet. |
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stalhandske 16-May-23, 00:59 |
S_S_P 1) Your opponent made blunders that are not common among 2400+ players. But, of course, one might have a very bad day, stomach aches etc. 2) Your opponent has a very interesting history in GK, which can be watched from his record. He is one of those lucky ones to get 'aid from above' that suddenly boosts the ELO rating by 800 points within a month or less. I always thought such miracles only happened in fairy tales, but I must be mistaken |
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I did not check out his ElO record(I must be slipping),but what I usually do is check out his losses,rather than wins and try and stick with game styles that he is weakest in and had losses with in the past with specific style openings or opening defenses. Just a quick check,rather than an entire annotation,I plugged it into my polyglot again(hmmmm...what the heck is a polyglot?More on that in another post!): 7. a4,Nd6 With 7.a4 my book states:High draw probability so far 437 games analyzed at 83% between 2718-2744 games played.His next move with much higher stats "should" have been 7....Nbd4 7....Nd6 states: a big ? with 232 games played at at average lower rated...1800-1900. So,already this has begun his downfall! With 8. Bg5,Be7,by book states a shocker:1-0 (1=100%) win probability with 2646-3372 opponents.It states many more things like his better move should have statistically been 8....f6 9.exd6,cxd6.Win % are about the same with my book stats.Yes,still in book. 10. ditto 11. Qxd6....already I am pawn up and he is falling down the mountain already. NOW his 11th move,he should have done 0-0,but instead,with 11....Nf5.My book goes off the charts with green and 100% again after 466 games played.The game is already over by the 11th move!Well,not by mate but extreme win probability.I was "in book",actually till move 15,then shut the book down and took it from there with an easy follow through.With his e file wide open,disconnected pawn on the d file,I knew the game was over,just from that position,early in the game.Again,this was just a quick general review. Whatever the case,he did not play like a 2400+player.Perhaps HIS book got erased accidently....or better yet,HIS book is either weak or he misread it wrong,which I think is the latter. It is true that many games are won and lost while still in book and my book actually went on much further,but I just shut it down knowing that even a 2000 rated should be able to handle this 2400 player from move # 11.I also knew that he would resign early,from many of his previous losses.I just wanted to point out a rare win for me.At NO POINT did I ever use an analysis program,just my book.A book is just stating past game facts,not analyzing. Fair play I believe,even though my deep stats does reveal more than most have on GK.I never use the GK opening book...that is a dinosaur and I believe not updated very often.My books are updated every week or every 3 months depending upon which five I use. Just one more,on my way to 2500...which I will probably never reach.I expect a draw on my present game which will yield me 0 points.Then I will probably take a break and add a few things in the club. For example,Hiarcs has right now(subject to change): Tournament CTG book with 35,328,859 positions/moves and 2,176,516 variations based on 2,012,477 top quality games.That is significant,but only about 66% of my polyglot which is updated every week. Yes I know,no one should even have a book...but that is life in the CC game.I just go with the flow. |
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euro_pop_legend 16-May-23, 03:47 |
Deleted by euro_pop_legend on 16-May-23, 03:53.
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euro_pop_legend 16-May-23, 03:53 |
Deleted by euro_pop_legend on 16-May-23, 04:12.
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Stal... No...I am not saying that is what you believe,but I am just making a broad statement. I could probably reach 2800 in no time if I wanted and pass by Cyrano and others with ease! How?I have a custom PC that my nephew developed for me when I flew him to St Barts two years ago.It runs on a 30 core system,double intercoolers and my programs(10 of them)are "tweeked" and "overclocked"as it is coined in the computer lingo with NNUE(neural network).Rating exceeds 3300,closer to 3400.I could smash 2400-2500 to atoms if I wanted to! So,my finger is always close to the nuclear missle,but I never use it! A few times in CC on instantchess where it was already agreed upon ahead of time that programs would be allowed and used,I pushed the nuclear button and had 22-0,no draws.And WITH 2421-2762 players! So,like Russia,I could use the hypersonic with nuclear capability...but will not.Interesting enough,some chess sites DO ALLOW computer usage,but you MUST click on "computer user" ahead of time before any game commences.Otherwise,the site has an actual program to detect other users who claim NON computer usage,but are using it!Then they get thrown off the site. As it should be.The reason some will say no usage,is because they get more game offers that way.But it almost always backfires on them. |
