Simple Dangerous Openings: Closed Sicilian

Submitted by paolodm on Wed, 02/13/2008 at 8:36pm.

In my previous article, I made the recommendation that the Bishop's Opening is a good opening against 1...e5. Now we will dive in for a simple (and yet dangerous) response to the ever-so-famous Sicilian Defense.

"But", you say, "isn't the Sicilian one of the most complicated lines with thousands of variations?" Yes, true but that's only for the open main lines (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4).

Today I'm going to introduce you to the closed Sicilian.

 

 Huzzah!

Main Idea(s) For White: Build up position slowly. Possibly attack on the kingside with a slow pawn storm. Possibly open the center later with a d4 break.
Main Idea(s) For Black: Pawn storm on the queenside. Depending on the position, Black could possibly break in the center too.

The Closed Sicilian is a type of opening that I like to call a "coiled spring" type of opening. White doesn't immediately confront black directly in the center, preferring to slowly build up his forces in the kingside. Then, like a coiled spring, his position starts to gain traction and is making a play for a pawn storm on the kingside.

To give you a better understanding, let me introduce you to what could happen in a Closed Sicilian:

 

Paolo del Mundo
FIDE Master (USCF 2403)


» posted in paolodm's Blog
 

Comments:

by young_roy123 - 2 months ago
Germany
Member Since: Jul 2007
Member Points: 179

imma try to but my bishop in the corner (sorry didnt know how to spell the word) next time against the sicillian good post man


by Quickmove - 3 months ago
United States
Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 21

First of all, I would like to thank you for showing us a very interesting play involving the closed sicilian.  On black's 8th move, can he play 8...Nd4?  It seems to me that black can safely play this move.   

 

 


by marwanch - 3 months ago
beirut Lebanon
Member Since: Jun 2008
Member Points: 9
good opening what about the endgames . and the knght at d1 where can he goes thx
by pircgrandprix - 5 months ago
United States
Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 10
I really love this opening. It has given me great success whenever I have used it. I almost cheer when people play a sicilian.
by amadmusa - 7 months ago
Malaysia
Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 7

very nice , thank you


by sbodd - 7 months ago
United States
Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 16

This opening is fairly common, but I will take note

 


by FM paolodm - 7 months ago
Virginia United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 106

Immanuel:

It's not necessarily bad for Black to play 7... d5, but white can followup with:

8. ed ed 9. Nf4 d4 10. Ne4 b6 11. h4

To avoid this variation, white should have probably played 7. Be3 first.

Thanks for the thoughful comment. 

Paolo 


by djw777 - 7 months ago
United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 16
I know its considered "main line" but what happens when Black does not play a Dragon set up?
by Immanuel - 7 months ago
Quezon City Philippines
Member Since: Dec 2007
Member Points: 16
Would it be bad for Black to play 7 ... d5?
by reuben - 7 months ago
United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 24

Thanks!

 


by FM paolodm - 7 months ago
Virginia United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 106

Farbror:

Agreed. The elo rating recommendation for this one is really 1600-2500, as virtually any type of player plays it nowadays. 

Paolo


by farbror - 7 months ago
Uppsala Sweden
Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 1218

 

 

Another nice post. I really liked your approach with the ELO range recommendation in your previous post.


by kolechess - 7 months ago
Somewhere Australia
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 242
seems like a fine oppening to me thanks for that.
 

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