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Sicilian basic question

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07-28-2015 , 06:54 AM

nionios89

centurion

Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 116

Is the sicilian scheveningen (both the classic and the modern)
a solid opening or a tactical one?

Also does it require a lot of memorization of theory? Or is it
just a flexible opening that can be played as a system?

I have heard contradictory things thats why i post this.

Experienced player's opinions are really welcomed!

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07-28-2015 , 08:54 AM

YouKnowWho

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6,985

I mean it can be both, and it depends on what white wants. Keres attack (6. g4) will obviously make it more wild than the classical 6. Be2.

In general, if you are looking for a "solid" (I assume you mean more positional) opening, look past ALL sicilians. There are quiet lines in the sicilian, but only if white wants to choose them. If not, it's usually pretty much a blood bath, so if you are not comfortable with that, don't play it

Last edited by YouKnowWho; 07-28-2015 at 08:58 AM. Reason: edit: I wrote this assuming you mean 5.. e6, and not 5... a6 and then 6... e6

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07-29-2015 , 04:43 AM

nionios89

centurion

Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 116

I decided to play the scheveningen and study seriously the keres attack(forced ��)
and switching to my practiced scandinavian(2...Qxd5 and 3... Qa5)
depending on opponent's style.

The sicilian is too good and too basic
not to know imho (i play 1.d4 as white).

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07-29-2015 , 10:08 AM

lkasigh

adept

Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 953

Quote:

Originally Posted by nionios89

It's both. There are a lot of sharp lines requiring theoretical knowledge. But there are many ways for White to deviate, in which case you have to rely on your understanding of the strategic ideas.

The early move order is very important. For instance, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.Nd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 allows an immediate 6.g4. Kasparov used to play 5....a6, following up with 6....e6 after most replies, but leading to major theoretical discussions after 6.Bg5.

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07-29-2015 , 10:53 AM

wlrs

adept

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 989

You can also try 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cd 4.Nd4 a6 5.Nc3 d6 inching towards Scheveningen positions, but there's another critical line with 5.Bd3.

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07-29-2015 , 10:55 PM

rooooktaker

journeyman

Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 273

Its definetely n whites hands. i know nothing of the theory, but play the line everytime. The strongest will generally win as white

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07-30-2015 , 04:53 AM

Shandrax

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,818

Check out the Taimanov. The resulting positions are very similar to the Scheveningen, but it avoids the Keres-Attack. It became quite popular as of late (Giri, Svidler).

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