English Attack: 7.Qd2 and long castling is variation 1 of 6 in the Sicilian Taimanov and Kan course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO B48). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 …. White plays Be3, Qd2 and castles long. Black pins the c3 knight with ...Bb4 and forces f3. Then the knight goes to e5 and the b-pawn races up the board. 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 opens lines for 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... 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. The c-file is now half open for Black.
4. Nxd4 – The knight takes back and sits in the centre.
4... Nc6 – The Taimanov. Black develops and hits the d4 knight.
5. Nc3 – The main move. The knight guards e4 and watches d5.
5... Qc7 – Black puts the queen on c7. It watches e5 and the c-file.
6. Be3 – White develops the bishop and gets ready to castle long.
6... a6 – Black takes b5 away from the white knights. It also prepares a push of the b-pawn.
7. Qd2 – The English Attack. White prepares long castling and a pawn storm.
7... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks the e4 pawn.
8. O-O-O – White castles long. The kings will stand on opposite wings, so speed matters.
8... Bb4 – The key idea. The bishop pins the c3 knight, and e4 is under fire again.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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