To download the August '04 Anti-Sicilian games directly in PGN form, click here:

Whats Hot?

c3 Sicilian [B22]

The systems with ...g6 against the C3 Sicilian are popular with the youngest grandmaster in the world so it must have some bright prospects.

Arngrimsson - Carlsen starts 1 e4 c5 2 c3 d5 3 exd5 Qxd5 4 d4 g6 5 Nf3 Bg7 which is the theme of the survey:

In this case White plays 6 c4 but the Norwegian youngster plays energetically to win

In another encounter Godena - Carlsen, 6 Na3 is tried and Black slips up so the young star is soon struggling.

6 Na3 is also explored in Matsuura - Scarella but White adopts a quiet line that is not without venom.

Kupper - Pelletier is a chance for Black to shine in one of the critical lines which occurs after 6 Na3 cxd4 7 Bc4. A doubled-edged game is the result but Black's active play accelerates the attack.

Star game of the month

The star game of the month is Moser - Srienz with the King's Indian Attack which occurs upon 1 e4 c5 2 d3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Nd2:

White wins in style with a sacrificial attack.

Opening Survey

The Rossolimo [B31]

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 g6 4 0-0 Bg7 5 c3 Nf6 6 Qa4:

Jeffrey Reep wanted me to analyse the game Svidler - Gelfand which features the trick line 6 Qa4. After a tense struggle it ends up as draw but both sides have to find key moves in the opening.

The game Czebe - Muir game is a tragedy for Black who plays expertly but fails at the final hurdle and loses to some clever tactics.

Black can grab a gambit pawn and that is explored in Kovalev - Kuznetsov. There is no immediate win for White but sustained pressure secures the victory.

I welcome e-mails and games from subscribers, and you can always write on the Anti-Sicilians Forum.

Gary