Playing against the Sicilian as White - Page 2 - Chess Forums

gundamz · 06-22-2009, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by Meister

Edit: The Open Sicilian with 6.Be2 in the majority of variations is another good idea, which will give you the open positions you are after without oceans of cutting-edge theory.

I noticed that Karpov, in particular, likes to use 6 Be2 in the Sicilian Najdorf. Is 6 Be2 still viable in today's chess playing environment?

ReturnOfTheKing · 07-24-2009, 05:48 AM

Be2 still seems fine, just not as trendy in the face of Be3 (probobly the best test of the najdorf) and Bg5. Maybe if your playing Kasparov Be2 isn't the best idea...but if your playing Kasparov, play 3. Bb5+

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the Smith Morra, because I'm not in love with the c3 Sicilian and I find 2... cxd 3.c3 Nf6 e5 compleatly satisfactory, if I studdied it a bit more for white I might change my mind. Of course if black accepts the pawn, I think it creates more complecations than he needs, so I can see why people play it.