Download PGN of October '08 Anti-Sicilian games
Big Clamp 1 e4 c5 2 d3 [B20]
2700+ Sergei Movsesian still wheels out the Big Clamp now and then:
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A good example of White's play against indifferent (very indifferent) play can be seen in the game Movsesian - Dancevski.
2.c3 Sicilian [B22]
A variation that has been largely ignored recently is Gallagher's old recommendation 1 e4 c5 2 c3 Nf6 3 e5 Nd5 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nf3 e6 6 cd4 b6!?:
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In Can - Ludwig White plays the sharpest line 12.Ng5!?, and wins quickly.
Grand Prix Attack [B23]
Greet - Zhang Zhong looks at the line 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 e6 3 f4 d5 4 Nf3 Nc6 5 Bb5 Nge7 and now the unusual 6 Ne5!? (instead of 6 exd5):
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Black takes over the initiative very quickly, but White had a couple of unconventional ways to try to stir up trouble.
Anti-Sveshnikov 3.Nc3 [B30]
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 e5 4.Bc4 was very popular at high levels a few years ago, but its luster has worn off for the elite. Nevertheless, it is a viable choice and leads to a very strategic game. After 4...Be7 5.d3 d6 6 Nd2 Bg5 White eschews the usual 7 h4 and plays the simple 7.Nf1!?:
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Originally played by Tony Kosten, see Fedorchuk - Shirov.
Moscow: 3...Nd7 [B51]
Personally, I have never been a big fan of 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Bb5+ Nd7. Although this variation is usually held to be the best winning attempt, it always felt a bit passive to me. Here we look at the slightly uncommon 4 d4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6!?:
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This has been considered risky for awhile for reasons discuss in the notes, though I like Alekseev's 8.d5! in Alekseev - Timofeev.
Moscow 3...Bd7 [B52]
In the line 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Bb5+ Bd7 4 Bxd7+ Qxd7 5 c4 Nf6 6 Nc3 Nc6 7 d4 cxd4 8 Nxd4, the move 8...Qg4 has always been considered a reasonable equalizing attempt. However, I believe this move actually leads to a rather prospectless game for Black, see Ni Hua-Shengalia.
In Malakhov - Shomoev we see another strong GM try 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5 c4 Nf6 6 Nc3 g6 7 d4 cxd4 8 Nxd4 Bg7 9.h3!?:
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This should not be dangerous, but it has its little points and Black should at least be aware of it.
4 Qxd4 Sicilian [B51]
White uses the sneaky move order 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Bb5+ Nc6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Qxd4 in Bogut - Cheparinov.
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This line is not harmless and White would have his chances against his famous opponent had he played for the initiative instead of small positional gains.
Best wishes, David
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