1. e4! c5!

And thus it begins...

1. e4 is the tried and true opening of chess. Fischer worshipped the opening, only straying here and there for a few games with 1. Nf3 (KIA) and even fewer with 1. b3 (Nimzo-Larsen Attack). 1. e4 typically leads to open positions, or at least ones that can be turned into open ones with only minor pawn skirmishing. Thus, sharp tactical play is at a premium while more subtle positional play is less immediately relevant (generally). To combat 1. e4 are a number of predominent replys, typically (in relevance) 1 ... c5! 1 ... e5 1 ... e6 1 ... c6. However, at this juncture, move 2s are varied in a number of these openings. So let's begin at the beginning...

1. e4! c5
2. Nf3

This leads to the Open Sicilian typically. I prefer this to the Closed for the very reasons I play 1. e4! in the first place; It offers a mixture of tactics and technique that fits my abilities relatively comfortably. The Closed Sicilian is an animal I am not familiar with and thus cannot discuss in any detail.

Black here is presented with 3 options that I see most often: 2 ... d6 (traditional), 2 ... g6 (Hyper Accelerated Dragon), and 2 ... Nc6 (which can go almost anywhere from here).

In all of those cases the correct reply remains 3. d4, threatening to overwhelm the center and smother Black's game before it begins. For now we will stick with the traditional Sicilian lines...

2 ... Nc6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 (B33)

Again, here we see typically 4 ... Nf6 (B55), threatening the e4 pawn and developing a piece, however 4 ... g6 (Accelerated Dragon B34) is sometimes played as well, although this can lead to the Maroczy Bind (5. c4, B36-39, something I will talk about when discussing the Dragon later).

4 ... Nf6
5 Nc3 (B56)

At this stage, Black truly has the options of pushing into a number of various games. ... d6 (B57-69) leads to either the Fischer-Sozin attack 6. Bc4 (B57, my weapon of choice), The Classical or Boleslavsky 6. Be2 (B58-59), or the Richter (B60-62)-Rauzer (B63-69) attack with 6. Bg5, considered the sharpest of possible replies.

However, almost as common nowadays is 5 ... g6 (B70-79), pushing into either the Classical Dragon without the fear of Maroczy's Bind, the Levenfish Dragon (6. f4, B71 rarely played), or the Yugoslav Dragon (B75-79), a dangerous counterattack by White.

More rare, but just as strong, though in a slightly different setup is 5 ... a6 (B90-99) entering the Najdorf, a line again made famous by Fischer for his use of it, and for beating Najdorf playing the Najdorf against him. Fischer used it religiously as Black, fighting off great atttackers with his sharp counterplay. Again, this is my personal choice for Black but will discuss that at a later date.

Lastly, Black has the option of entering the Scheveningen (B80-89) with ... e6, though that can, by transposition end up back in things like the Fischer-Sozin attack if followed up with ... d6. Typically this warrants g4! (Keres) or the calmer Bc4, going back to the F-S pair. However, to discuss the Fischer-Sozin, I will merely look at the most common line and variations for now.

5 ... d6
6. Bc4

Originally made famous by Sozin, Bobby Fischer expanded the move, analyzing it to the point of adding his name to the attack. He loved his Bishop on the a2-g8 diagonal, moving it almost always directly to b3 for safety. This is the line I recommend whole heartedly as it can lead to a lot of great lines for White, giving Black some counter play, but with the light squared Bishop on such a powerful diagonal, it's hard to ignore the allure that got Fischer. Typical play continues (but with various move orders):

6. ... e6
7. Bb3 Be7
8. O-O O-O
9. Be3 Bd7
10. f4!

I will follow this up soon with more on continuations of the Fischer-Sozin, as well as play against the Hyper, Accelerated, and Classical Dragons in due time.

Cheers!

A Scrub's Eye View

Hi, my name is Doug. And I am a chess-aholic. So this is both a way of keeping track of my own progress and a way of logging good moves, bad ones, and everything in between for my benefit and whoever else wants to read it.

I am a strict 1. e4 player, which I meet in turn with the Sicilian Najdorf. Against 1. d4, I have played the KID religiously in Fischer's footsteps but am trying sharper play like the Benoni and possibly QID following the likes of Tal and Anand.

I want to share the little bit of knowledge I have as a competent Sicilian player and a strong KID player as well. Hopefully people will feel a little less daunted by playing something as analyzed as the Sicilian by a good overview of the defense.

Cheers,
Doug