Kan: 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 is variation 5 of 6 in the Sicilian Taimanov and Kan course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO B43). It runs 18 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 …. White develops the knight and the bishop and often castles long. Black puts the queen on c7, plays ...Nf6 and ...b5, and the bishop goes to b7. Black gets fast queenside play. 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... a6 – The Kan. Black keeps the knights off b5 and every piece stays flexible.
5. Nc3 – The most common move. The knight guards e4.
5... Qc7 – The queen watches e5 and the c-file. It also stops a quick e5 push.
6. Be3 – White develops the bishop.
6... Nf6 – Black develops and hits e4.
7. Bd3 – The bishop guards e4.
7... b5 – Black gains queenside space. The bishop will come to b7.
8. O-O – White castles short.
8... Bb7 – The bishop joins the attack on e4.
The lesson goes on for 2 more moves, each with its explanation.
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