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 […]
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 […]
The Sicilian Scheveningen begins with the moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 Sicilian Scheveningen This variation of the Sicilian doesn’t owe its name to any particular player, rather a town in Holland where the opening was first played in 1923. The main feature of this defence is the ‘small centre’ that […]
The Sicilian Sveshnikov chess opening begins with the moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 Starting position of the Sicilian Sveshnikov The Sveshnikov Variation is a modern, aggressive and uncompromising way to play the Sicilian. On move five Black immediately strikes in the centre with his e-pawn, attacking the white knight […]
The Dragon Variation is the Sicilian in its most natural and logical form. Black develops his pieces on their most active squares. In particular, the ‘Dragon bishop‘ is fianchettoed on the long diagonal, down which it exerts its significant presence. Sicilian Dragon Opening How To Play The Sicilian Dragon The Sicilian Dragon begins with […]
Playing strategically and aggressively in chess is what makes the game royal and beautiful. Once you make the right opening moves, you and your opponent can begin unfolding new approaches. Soon, the “real chess game” begins and both of you will inevitably be hooked. There are several aggressive chess openings for white that can allow […]
The mainline of the Sicilian Najdorf begins: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 Starting position of the Najdorf The Sicilian Najdorf Variation is one of the most ambitious and positionally motivated lines of the Sicilian and, along with the Dragon, also one of the most popular. Black’s little pawn move …a7-a6 looks, at […]
In this article, we’re going to look at a highly tactical opening in chess known as the Scotch Opening. It begins with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 With this opening, the pieces are going to come into close contact very quickly, and so we’re going to get a chance to look at all […]