Anti-Sozin: 6.Bc4 Qb6 is variation 3 of 6 in the Sicilian Classical and Scheveningen course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO B57). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 …. Black hits the d4 knight and the b2 pawn with the queen before White's attack starts. After the knight retreats, Black sets up with ...e6, ...a6 and ...b5. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre and frees the queen and the f1 bishop.
1... c5 – The Sicilian. Black fights for d4 from the side and keeps the game unbalanced.
2. Nf3 – White develops the knight and prepares d4.
2... d6 – Black covers e5 and opens a path for the c8 bishop.
3. d4 – White opens the centre to use the lead in development.
3... cxd4 – Black trades a wing pawn for a centre pawn. The c-file is now half open for Black.
4. Nxd4 – White takes back with the knight, which now stands in the centre.
4... Nf6 – Black develops with an attack on e4, so White must defend it.
5. Nc3 – White guards e4 and develops another piece.
5... Nc6 – The Classical Variation. The knight develops and challenges the d4 knight.
6. Bc4 – The Sozin. The bishop aims at f7 and e6.
6... Qb6 – The Anti-Sozin. The queen hits the d4 knight and the b2 pawn at the same time.
7. Nb3 – The safest retreat. The knight leaves d4 and keeps everything protected.
7... e6 – Black blocks the bishop's diagonal and opens a path for the f8 bishop.
8. O-O – White castles.
8... Be7 – Black develops and gets ready to castle.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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