6.Be3 Ng4: hitting the bishop is variation 4 of 6 in the Sicilian Classical and Scheveningen course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO B56). It runs 20 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 …. The bishop on e3 is a target. Black hits it with the knight and chases it with pawns. Then the dark bishop goes to the long diagonal. Many White players go wrong here. 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. Be3 – Very popular, but a small inaccuracy here. It lets the f6 knight hit the bishop at once.
6... Ng4 – Black jumps at the bishop. Black wants to take it and win the bishop pair.
7. Bg5 – The bishop moves away and keeps its activity.
7... h6 – Black asks the bishop again.
8. Bh4 – The bishop keeps the diagonal.
8... g5 – Black gains space and chases the bishop again.
The lesson goes on for 4 more moves, each with its explanation.
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