Answers.Body: <p>It's quite common the <a href="http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._e4/1...c5/2._Nc3/2...Nc6/3._g3/3...g6">Closed Sicilian</a>, with, for example:</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The <a href="http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Chess_Opening_Theory/1._e4/1...c5/2._f4">Grand Prix Attack</a> is of course another possible way to face any Black player after <code>1.e4 c5</code>. Nowadays the main line is:</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>After <code>1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 (any) 3.g3</code> White can build a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Indian_Attack">King's Indian Attack</a>, which is less common and less sharp, but perfectly playable.</p>
  
  <p>These variations are not as popular as the "Open" ones, but you may encounter them from time to time even during high-rated torunaments.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-02-22T08:58:11.490Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-02-25T02:25:32.887Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2013-02-25T02:25:32.887Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: javatutorial
Answers.Body: <p><code>3.Bb5</code> is fairly common.</p>
  
  <p>I personally like <code>3.Bc4</code>; it just leads to a normal game with opening preparation thrown out. A plus or minus is that any type of position can result after the opening. <code>3.Bc4</code> sometimes shows up at the top-level, Vallejo beat Shirov with it, in this case the game resulted in a French structure.</p>
  
  <pre><code>[Fen " "]
  [Event "SuperGM"]
  [Site "Linares ESP"]
  [Date "2002.03.09"]
  [EventDate "2002.02.22"]
  [Round "13"]
  [Result "1-0"]
  [White "Francisco Vallejo-Pons"]
  [Black "Alexey Shirov"]
  [ECO "B50"]
  [WhiteElo "2629"]
  [BlackElo "2715"]
  [PlyCount "107"]
  
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 e6 5. Bb3 Be7 6. O-O O-O
  7. c3 Nc6 8. Re1 b5 9. Nbd2 d5 10. e5 Nd7 11. d4 Ba6 12. Nf1
  b4 13. Ba4 Rc8 14. Bxc6 Rxc6 15. cxb4 Bxf1 16. Rxf1 cxb4
  17. Be3 Qa5 18. g3 Rfc8 19. Ne1 Qb5 20. h4 a5 21. b3 a4
  22. Nd3 Rc3 23. Nf4 Nf8 24. Qg4 Qd7 25. h5 axb3 26. axb3 Rxb3
  27. h6 g6 28. Nh3 Rbc3 29. Bg5 b3 30. Rfb1 Rb8 31. Kg2 Rc7
  32. Rb2 Bxg5 33. Qxg5 Qe7 34. Qe3 Qb4 35. Qf4 Qe7 36. Qf3 Rcb7
  37. Rab1 Nd7 38. Rxb3 Rxb3 39. Rxb3 Qf8 40. Rxb8 Nxb8 41. Ng5
  Nd7 42. Qf4 Qe7 43. Qc1 Qd8 44. Nf3 Kf8 45. Ng5 Kg8 46. Nf3
  Kf8 47. Kg1 Qb8 48. Qa3+ Ke8 49. Ng5 Nf8 50. Qa4+ Ke7 51. Kg2
  Qb7 52. Qa3+ Ke8 53. Qf3 Qe7 54. Qf6 1-0
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The <a href="http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1250156">game</a> at chessgames.com.</p>
  
  <p>Vallejo did play <code>4.d3</code>, so yeah it does make sense to play <code>d3</code>; it mainly allows the development of the dark-squared bishop.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-02-21T18:03:29.670Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-02-21T18:10:05.017Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2013-02-21T18:10:05.017Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Akavall
Answers.Body: <p>When you get right down to it, white <em>must</em> move the d pawn sooner or later.  It can either go to d4 (characteristic of the Open Sicilian) or it can go to d3 (characteristic of the Closed Sicilian).  </p>
  
  <p>With that said, on d3, the pawn blocks white's light squared bishop so white must make other arrangements in order to castle kingside.  There are two main ways that this can be done - either white can move the bishop to c4 or b5 before moving the d pawn, or white can fianchetto the bishop.</p>
  
  <p>So to bring this answer back to the specific question, white has a few concrete options that avoid d4:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Rossolimo/Moscow (<code>3. Bb5</code> vs <code>2... Nc6</code> / <code>2... d6</code> respectively)</li>
  <li>Grand Prix Attack (<code>1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7</code> and either <code>5. Bc4</code> or <code>5. Bb5</code>)</li>
  <li>Closed Sicilian (<code>1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6</code>)</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Surprisingly, almost every other Sicilian variation for white either involves white playing an early d4, or is very similar to one of the above.  For example, the King's Indian Attack is really a variation of the Closed Sicilian (alternatively, the Closed Sicilian can be considered a variation of the KIA...).</p>
  
  <p>Finally, the Wing Gambit merely defers d4, as does the Alapin.  While white can always choose to omit d4 (<code>2. Qh5?!</code> would be an extreme example), these are generally considered dubious sidelines played at white's own peril.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-12-04T01:45:12.627Z
Answers.Text: The Grand Prix Attack is a fascinating opening, one of my favorites.  Though it exposes white's king to a certain degree, this exposure is less severe than in the King's Gambit, and it tends to leave black no good place to put his own king, *and* it threatens 0-0 to put a rook instantly into to full assault.  Objectively, there do seem to exist slightly stronger responses to the Sicilian, but only slightly.  The Grand Prix is too fun to overlook.
Answers.UserDisplayName: thb
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-02-24T12:03:43.020Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-02-24T12:03:43.020Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Andrew
Answers.Body: <p>Two <code>Sicilian</code> variations that don't have an early <code>d4</code> are:</p>
  
  <p><code>Sicilian, Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack (B51)</code></p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+
  </code></pre>
  
  <p><code>Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation (B31)</code></p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I couldn't find much info on <code>d3</code> before or after <code>Bc4</code>, but in some sample openings, <code>d3</code> was played after <code>Bc4</code> such as in the following:</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  1.e4 c5 2.Bc4?! e6 3.d3 d5!
  </code></pre>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2013-02-21T18:03:16.453Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2013-02-21T18:03:16.453Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: xaisoft
Body: <p>If White opens <code>e4</code> and Black replies <code>c5</code>, that's the Sicilian defense. Typical next moves are <code>2. Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4</code>, etc.</p>
  
  <p>Are there good variations for White where he DOESN'T play d4?</p>
  
  <p>I've heard of <code>3. b4</code> (Wing Gambit), but I don't like gambits.</p>
  
  <p>Does it make sense for White to play <code>d3</code> instead, either before or after <code>Bc4</code>?</p>
  
Tags: <opening><sicilian-defense>
Title: Are there good variations for White against the Sicilian that do not involve an early d4?
ThreadText: # Are there good variations for White against the Sicilian that do not involve an early d4?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2013-02-21)
  
  If White opens `e4` and Black replies `c5`, that's the Sicilian defense. Typical next moves are `2. Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4`, etc.
  
  Are there good variations for White where he DOESN'T play d4?
  
  I've heard of `3. b4` (Wing Gambit), but I don't like gambits.
  
  Does it make sense for White to play `d3` instead, either before or after `Bc4`?
  
  **Tags:** opening, sicilian-defense
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 4 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_5 on 2013-02-21. Score: 7 | Accepted answer
  
  Two Sicilian variations that don't have an early d4 are:
  Sicilian, Canal-Sokolsky (Rossolimo) Attack (B51)
  [FEN ""]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+
  
  Sicilian, Rossolimo Variation (B31)
  [FEN ""]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6
  
  I couldn't find much info on d3 before or after Bc4, but in some sample openings, d3 was played after Bc4 such as in the following:
  [FEN ""]
  1.e4 c5 2.Bc4?! e6 3.d3 d5!
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2013-02-22. Score: 8
  
  It's quite common the Closed Sicilian, with, for example:
  [FEN ""]
  1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6
  
  The Grand Prix Attack is of course another possible way to face any Black player after 1.e4 c5. Nowadays the main line is:
  [FEN ""]
  1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7
  
  After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 (any) 3.g3 White can build a King's Indian Attack, which is less common and less sharp, but perfectly playable.
  These variations are not as popular as the "Open" ones, but you may encounter them from time to time even during high-rated torunaments.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2013-02-21. Score: 7
  
  3.Bb5 is fairly common.
  I personally like 3.Bc4; it just leads to a normal game with opening preparation thrown out. A plus or minus is that any type of position can result after the opening. 3.Bc4 sometimes shows up at the top-level, Vallejo beat Shirov with it, in this case the game resulted in a French structure.
  [Fen " "]
  [Event "SuperGM"]
  [Site "Linares ESP"]
  [Date "2002.03.09"]
  [EventDate "2002.02.22"]
  [Round "13"]
  [Result "1-0"]
  [White "Francisco Vallejo-Pons"]
  [Black "Alexey Shirov"]
  [ECO "B50"]
  [WhiteElo "2629"]
  [BlackElo "2715"]
  [PlyCount "107"]
  
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 e6 5. Bb3 Be7 6. O-O O-O
  7. c3 Nc6 8. Re1 b5 9. Nbd2 d5 10. e5 Nd7 11. d4 Ba6 12. Nf1
  b4 13. Ba4 Rc8 14. Bxc6 Rxc6 15. cxb4 Bxf1 16. Rxf1 cxb4
  17. Be3 Qa5 18. g3 Rfc8 19. Ne1 Qb5 20. h4 a5 21. b3 a4
  22. Nd3 Rc3 23. Nf4 Nf8 24. Qg4 Qd7 25. h5 axb3 26. axb3 Rxb3
  27. h6 g6 28. Nh3 Rbc3 29. Bg5 b3 30. Rfb1 Rb8 31. Kg2 Rc7
  32. Rb2 Bxg5 33. Qxg5 Qe7 34. Qe3 Qb4 35. Qf4 Qe7 36. Qf3 Rcb7
  37. Rab1 Nd7 38. Rxb3 Rxb3 39. Rxb3 Qf8 40. Rxb8 Nxb8 41. Ng5
  Nd7 42. Qf4 Qe7 43. Qc1 Qd8 44. Nf3 Kf8 45. Ng5 Kg8 46. Nf3
  Kf8 47. Kg1 Qb8 48. Qa3+ Ke8 49. Ng5 Nf8 50. Qa4+ Ke7 51. Kg2
  Qb7 52. Qa3+ Ke8 53. Qf3 Qe7 54. Qf6 1-0
  
  The game at chessgames.com.
  Vallejo did play 4.d3, so yeah it does make sense to play d3; it mainly allows the development of the dark-squared bishop.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2013-02-24. Score: 5
  
  When you get right down to it, white *must* move the d pawn sooner or later. It can either go to d4 (characteristic of the Open Sicilian) or it can go to d3 (characteristic of the Closed Sicilian).
  
  With that said, on d3, the pawn blocks white's light squared bishop so white must make other arrangements in order to castle kingside. There are two main ways that this can be done - either white can move the bishop to c4 or b5 before moving the d pawn, or white can fianchetto the bishop.
  
  So to bring this answer back to the specific question, white has a few concrete options that avoid d4:
  
  * Rossolimo/Moscow (`3. Bb5` vs `2... Nc6` / `2... d6` respectively)
  * Grand Prix Attack (`1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7` and either `5. Bc4` or `5. Bb5`)
  * Closed Sicilian (`1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6`)
  
  Surprisingly, almost every other Sicilian variation for white either involves white playing an early d4, or is very similar to one of the above. For example, the King's Indian Attack is really a variation of the Closed Sicilian (alternatively, the Closed Sicilian can be considered a variation of the KIA...).
  
  Finally, the Wing Gambit merely defers d4, as does the Alapin. While white can always choose to omit d4 (`2. Qh5?!` would be an extreme example), these are generally considered dubious sidelines played at white's own peril.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_4**: The Grand Prix Attack is a fascinating opening, one of my favorites.  Though it exposes white's king to a certain degree, this exposure is less severe than in the King's Gambit, and it tends to leave black no good place to put his own king, *and* it threatens 0-0 to put a rook instantly into to full assault.  Objectively, there do seem to exist slightly stronger responses to the Sicilian, but only slightly.  The Grand Prix is too fun to overlook.  
  
  ---
  
  