The Four Knights Variation of the Sicilian Defense begins with the moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 There are at least two other systems in the Sicilian where all four knights are developed very quickly (the Classical and the Sveshnikov), but it’s this particular variation which is known in chess …
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The Closed Sicilian chess opening begins with the moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 The Closed Sicilian leads to positions which are just that …closed! Pawn exchanges in the opening and early middlegame are rare and both sides slowly manoeuvre behind their pawn structures. White’s second move is to prevent Black from playing an early …
The c3 Sicilian begins with the moves: 1.e4 c5 2.c3 From modest beginnings, the c3 Sicilian has in the last couple of decades catapulted itself to become the leading option for white players wishing to steer clear of Open Sicilians. It has many things going for it: it’s logical, reliable and it doesn’t require too …
The Bishop b5 Sicilian System is a great alternative to the typical mainlines. The Rossolimo and Moscow Variations are good choices for those disinclined to learn the theory associated with Open Sicilians.Note that those wishing to use these systems would also require a response to the move order 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6. These lines tend …
The Accelerated Dragon of the Sicilian Defense begins with the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 The Accelerated Dragon This variation is very closely linked to the Dragon in that the f8-bishop is fianchettoed along the h8-a1 diagonal, and often the two variations transpose into each other. The main difference is that …
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The Scandinavian opening begins with the moves: 1.e4 d5 With the move pawn to d5, Black immediately challenges White’s central pawn on e4 and also creates opportunities for his light squared Bishop to get developed. In most cases as well, Black will have an opportunity to bring his Queen to a somewhat active post. On …
The Sicilian Kan begins with the moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 Sicilian Kan Chess Opening Most players now name this opening after the Russian International Master Ilya Kan, but it’s also been attributed to Louis Paulsen, one of the great theoreticians of the 19th century. The great advantage of the Kan …
The Sicilian Taimanov Opening begins with the moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 Taimanov Variation This line of the Sicilian has been named after the Soviet Grandmaster Mark Taimanov, who has played hundreds of games and developed many of the systems. Black’s pawn formation is flexible and play can sometimes transpose into …
