After 2.Nf3 and 3.d4 White opens the centre and gets a lead in development. You learn one reliable main line against each big Black system. They are the Najdorf, the Dragon, the Classical, the Taimanov, the Sveshnikov and the Accelerated Dragon. The traps show the common Black mistakes and how to punish them. This is a advanced opening course for White (ECO B30) with 6 variations and 2 traps, written for players rated around 1900. Each move is explained and then drilled on a board; it is free.
Key ideas of The Open Sicilian for White
Open the centre with d4 and take back with the knight. White gets more space and faster development.
Against most systems use the same plan. The bishop goes to e3, the queen to d2, and White castles long.
When the kings stand on different wings, push the kingside pawns fast. Speed matters more than a pawn.
The d5 square is the key. Put a knight there when Black cannot trade it.
Against the Accelerated Dragon build the Maroczy Bind with pawns on c4 and e4, and squeeze Black.
Variations you learn
Najdorf: English Attack 6.Be3 – 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 …. Against the Najdorf White sets up the bishop on e3, the queen on d2 and long castling. Then the f-pawn and the g-pawn march against Black's king.
Dragon: Yugoslav Attack 9.Bc4 – 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 …. Against the Dragon White guards e4 with the f-pawn, castles long and opens the h-file. The bishop on b3 keeps an eye on f7 and the king's side.
Classical: Richter-Rauzer 6.Bg5 – 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 …. Against the Classical White pins the f6 knight, castles long and pushes the f-pawn. A pawn break in the centre wins the bishop pair.
Taimanov: 5...Qc7 6.Be3 – 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 …. Against the Taimanov White uses the English Attack set-up. When Black pins the c3 knight, guard e4 with the f-pawn. Keep the queen active in the centre.
Sveshnikov: 7.Bg5 and 9.Nd5 – 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 …. Against the Sveshnikov White fights for d5. The bishop trades off the f6 knight. The a3 knight comes back through c2, and White opens the a-file.
Accelerated Dragon: Maroczy Bind 5.c4 – 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 …. Against the Accelerated Dragon White grabs space with c4 and e4. Black has no freeing pawn break, and White keeps a long, safe edge.
Traps
Sveshnikov: 7...Be7 drops d6 – In the Sveshnikov many players develop the bishop to e7 too early. White takes the f6 knight, and the b5 knight grabs d6 with check.
Taimanov: 9.a3 drops e4 – A warning for White. When Black pins the c3 knight with the bishop, guard e4 with the f-pawn. Kicking the bishop with the a-pawn loses the e4 pawn and more.
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