Classical: 7.Be2 and short castling is variation 2 of 6 in the Sicilian Taimanov and Kan course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO B48). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 …. White develops calmly and castles short. Black pins with ...Bb4, and White answers with Na4 and a knight jump to b6. Black gives the light-squared bishop for the knight and gets a strong central knight on d5. 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.
1... c5 – The Sicilian. Black fights for d4 from the side.
2. Nf3 – White develops and prepares d4.
2... e6 – Black frees the f8 bishop and keeps an eye on d5.
3. d4 – White opens the centre.
3... cxd4 – Black trades a side pawn for a centre pawn.
4. Nxd4 – The knight takes back and sits in the centre.
4... Nc6 – The Taimanov. Black develops and hits the d4 knight.
5. Nc3 – White develops and guards e4.
5... Qc7 – The queen watches e5 and the c-file.
6. Be3 – White develops the bishop and gets ready to castle long.
6... a6 – Black keeps the knights off b5.
7. Be2 – A calm set-up. White will castle short.
7... Nf6 – Black develops and hits e4.
8. O-O – White castles.
8... Bb4 – The bishop pins the c3 knight and adds pressure on e4.
The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.
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