ForumPosition SearchText SearchMy ProfileRepertoireSite InfoGuests InfoHelpLinks
For my first Chesspublishing article, I've decided to explore some lesser known variations. This month's Anti-Sicilians update will explore a couple of options for White to take Black into unknown territory very early on, including 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Qxd4 (a Shimanov special!) and 1.e4 c5 2.Be2, played by Magnus Carlsen himself. I will also shine a light on one of Black's alternative second moves, 2...Nf6, and how that can go very wrong indeed - courtesy of Fabiano Caruana. Finally, we will take a look at 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 where Matlakov demonstrates a confident win, and I have relived some personal trauma to show you one of my instructive losses - and how not to play as White!

Download PGN of December ’24 Anti-Sicilian games

>> Previous Update >>


2.Be2!? Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3.f4 [B21]

While 2.Be2 doesn’t look like much, we’ll see how White can muster an unexpected attack against the Black king. Both our games reached the position after 1.e4 c5 2.Be2 Nc6 3.f4 e6 4.Nf3 d5 5.d3 (via slightly different orders):

In Kovalenko, I - Saric, I, White’s seemingly unambitious setup after 5...Bd6 6.0-0 Nge7 7.c3 lead to a devastating attack, while Magnus showed us a more original treatment of the position in Carlsen, M - Daneshvar, B, with 7.c4!?.



2.d4 Sicilian: 2...cxd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qd3 [B21]

In this unknown line, Shimanov shows us the way. It’s rare to see 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qd3 on the board:

but Russian Grandmaster Aleksandr Shimanov seems at ease. With over 25 games in this line, I’ve selected a couple of his greatest wins to illustrate that Black has to tread carefully. If you need any more convincing, Shimanov, A - Carlsen, M shows us how to beat a 5-time World Champion. The game continued 4...g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Nf3 Nf6.

Black took a different approach in Shimanov, A - Volikitin, A, with 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 e6. After a quiet opening, White proved once again that it’s not easy for Black to achieve equality.



Moscow Variation: 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.c4 [B52]

In this popular line, we will explore two ends of the spectrum: a dream game for White, and a dream game for Black. In Matlakov, M - Djukic, N, White took on d4 with the queen after 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.d4 cxd4 7.Qxd4!?, which isn’t very common:

Matlakov manages a very convincing win, easily outwitting his opponent.

It is also instructive to see just how wrong these structures can go, especially when ...b5 is played by Black under good conditions. Kirk, E - Baillon, O is a good, albeit painful, illustration.



Nimzowitsch Variation: 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e5 [B29]

This sideline can surprise White very early on, so it is best to be at least somewhat familiar with it. I’ve highlighted two convincing White wins, in very different styles.

We’ll reach a fork in the road after 3...Nd5 4.Nc3 e6 5.Ne4 f5 6.Nc3:

where Abdusattorov chose the suboptimal 6...Nxc3 in Caruana, F - Abdusattorov, N ; let’s just say that’s probably the last time he’ll play it.

Meanwhile, Ni, H - Carlstedt, J was a little more quiet, but no less convincing, after 6...Nc6 7.Nxd5 exd5 8.d4:

White demonstrates patience and a deep positional understanding, when a small misstep costs Black the game in a seemingly calm position.



Till next time, Ezra

>> Previous Update >>

Please post you queries on the Anti-Sicilians Forum, or subscribers can write to me at support@ChessPublishing.com if you have any questions or queries.