Download PGN of October '04 Anti-Sicilian games
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Rossolimo with 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Nd4 [B23]
1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Nd4 4 Bc4 g6 5 Nf3 Bg7 6 Nxd4 cxd4 7 Qf3!
The first game is Luldachev - Solomon where an experienced International Master playing Black goes wrong on move 6 and is then sensationally a rook down after 12 moves!
The opening started: 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Nd4 4 Bc4 g6 5 Nf3 Bg7 6 Nxd4 cxd4 and now 7 Qf3 puts Black under pressure:
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This trick by White works surprisingly often and is a great way to try and catch Black out in the opening.
The top class encounter Svidler - Leko follows the previous example for a while but Black plays a significant improvement.
Pollvanov - Kovalenko is similar because White seizes the initiative but Black tries 6...Bxd4 which does not really help his position.
Godena-Drei is another example of Black trying something a little bit different with the introduction of 5...a6 to force White to explore relatively new ground.
Star game of the month
This is once again inspired by the Olympiad where Black won the Gold medal for the most outstanding performance on board one.
In the game Hawes - Ermenkov, White employs the standard Grand Prix Attack with 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 f4 g6 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 Bb5 Nd4 6 a4 and now 6...b6:
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is an interesting way to get White out of the book.
Opening Survey
The Closed Sicilian [B23]
Sergy Krylov from Russia has a pet line which is 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 and now 2...a6 to lure White into unfamiliar territory:
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At the Olympiad the encounter Ateka - Krylov is a good example of Black rapidly expanding his queenside pawns and achieving a good position.
A few rounds later at the Olympiad White was able to prepare the opening in Weeramantry - Krylov but the position was merely equal. However, White managed to land a blockbuster move to create a formidable attack.
At a previous Olympiad the opening was also used and the game Rowson - Krylov is an another example of Black emerging from the opening with a decent position.
I welcome e-mails and games from subscribers, and you can always write on the Anti-Sicilians Forum.
Gary