The Candidates event is almost over, but there were not many Sicilians (there are just 2 games in this Update). We will focus on various tournaments, where almost all the games were decisive.

Sveshnikov
Kan/Taimanov
Najdorf

Sveshnikov 6.Ne2 Bc5 [B33]

We start with Vaishali, R - Assaubayeva, B where White chose a rare line in order to confuse her well-prepared opponent.

Bibisara reacted properly, and the attempt to improve over Topalov - Wang Hao with 15.Qd3 didn't really work. The approximate balance was kept up till 25.Rc6? that put White on the verge of collapse. However, Bibisara soon returned the favor with 28...Bd7?, spoiling all the advantage.

Sveshnikov
Kan/Taimanov
Najdorf

Kan 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Qc7 7.Be2 [B41]

The game Tari, A - Liang, A saw the players enter a typical Hedgehog position after 10...0-0:

Aryan chose an interesting and aggressive plan, but 11.g4 doesn't seem precise. Moreover, the impulsive 13.f4? put White in a difficult position that he failed to hold.

Undoubtedly, 11.0-0-0 should be tested instead.

Taimanov 6.Ncb5 Qb8 7.Bd3 [B47]

A typical opening disaster was seen in Amar, E - Postlmayer, J, where, in the position after 10.Nf3:

Jakob went for the risky 10...Nf6 11.0-0 c4. Despite liquidating the central pawn, Black's position seems somewhat shaky, and the careless 14...d5? allowed Elham to quickly develop a crushing attack.

Taimanov 6.g3 a6 7.Bg2 h5 [B47]

The next game, Bizhigitov, Z - Martirosyan, H, saw Black opt for the risky 7...h5 in order to confuse his lower-rated opponent. In the position after 10...d6:

Zhangir came up with an ambitious sacrificial idea 11.e5!? It could have fully paid off - Haik carelessly played 11...Nxd4? and had White found 12.Nd5! it would be very hard for GM Martirosyan to stay in the game, but 12.Qxd4? let him consolidate and eventually take the upper hand.

Sveshnikov
Kan/Taimanov
Najdorf

Sozin Najdorf 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 b5 8.Bd3 [B86]

The game Kathikeyan, M - Niemann, H saw Murali plays the rare 8.Bd3 that takes the game to Kan paths with an extra tempo for Black:

Hans replied with 8...Bb7 that seems somewhat premature. Even so, the innovation 11.a4 didn't really bother Black, who managed to comfortable complete development and equalize. Only Hans's further inaccurate play let White seize the initiative and score a full point.

Najdorf 6.g3 e6 [B91]

The game Pranav, V - Suleimen, E saw the players enter Keres Attack paths after the rare 8.g4!?:

It offers an interesting struggle, but it looks like the extra tempo should make it easier for Black to obtain an acceptable position. Indeed, the main cause of Eragli's issues was the impulsive 17...Rc8? It let White quickly advance his kingside pawns, while Black's attack on c2 turned out to be ineffective.

Najdorf 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.g4 [B92]

The next game, Caruana, D - Indjic, A, saw White employ the rare and aggressive 8.g4, followed by 10.h4:

Black reacted naturally with 10...d5 and obtained an acceptable endgame. The game was decided by Indjic's blunders at the end, and I expect further tests of 10...d5.

Najdorf 6.Bg5 e6 7.Bd3 [B95]

In our last game, Esipenko, A - Giri, A, Andrey chose the rare and aggressive setup with 7.Bd3 to confuse his well-prepared opponent:

Although it didn't get Anish confused, Andrey could be happy with the outcome of the opening: Black's novelty 11...Kd7! was deeply analyzed by Esipenko's team. The really critical moment came on move 18, when 18.Rxd3 would have set Anish serious problems. Alas, the impulsive 18.Qxd3? was already the decisive mistake.

Sveshnikov
Kan/Taimanov
Najdorf

See you next month, Michael

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