Answers.Body: <p><strong>Methodology</strong></p>
  <p>I went through all Sicilian variations of GM Moulthun Ly's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSIXbs9Esuc" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sicilian Defense Tier List</a>, where he ranks the Sicilian variations by quality and amount of theory/difficulty of play.</p>
  <ol>
  <li><p><strong>Quality</strong>: I discarded every variation that he regarded worse than 3rd class / mediocre quality in his final ranking (even though I briefly considered the Nimzovich Sicilian)(i.e. I excluded the Nimzo, Godiva, Pin variation, O'Kelly <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtDoEWWsWnM" rel="nofollow noreferrer">(which he has a video on as a simple Sicilian)</a>, Paulsen-Basman, Katalimov).</p>
  </li>
  <li><p><strong>Difficulty/Theory</strong>: I discarded every variation he considers highly difficult (i.e. Sveshnikov, Classical, Scheveningen, Dragon, Najdorf). All remaining openings are already interesting for a club player.</p>
  </li>
  <li><p>I removed variations that allow major alternatives to the open Sicilian, such as the Rossolimo variation (and therefore more <strong>theory</strong> to know, e.g. the Kalashnikov variation) and variations where Black is <strong>passive</strong> (e.g. Kan variation, Hedgehog, HAD).</p>
  </li>
  </ol>
  <p>Only two openings remained (Taimanov Sicilian and Sicilian 4 knights), which I investigated with the help of books/chessable openings courses, video lectures the lichess opening statistics and an engine.
  Because I wasn't proceeding systematically from the start, I also analysed/read books/courses on the Classical Sicilian, Sveshnikov Sicilian, (Hyper-) Accelerated Dragon and played all of these openings in at least a few Blitz / Rapid games each to get a feeling for how fun, intuitive and understandable the positions are.</p>
  <p>In the end, I chose the <strong>Four knights Sicilian</strong> for practical reasons (and will probably later switch to the Taimanov, if required at any point).</p>
  <ol>
  <li>There is even less theory (there are only two good options for White, and White has to play very precisely).</li>
  <li>Black has a <strong>very simple plan</strong> of pressurizing the center with Bb4 or quickly breaking with d5 if allowed. At the same time, most of White's typical ideas against the Sicilian that work in other variations are too slow.</li>
  <li>Black develops quickly and actively. No time &quot;wasted&quot; on moves like a6. If White doesn't react immediately, Black is at least fine or even better.</li>
  <li>The opening scores exceptionally well (more points for Black than White!) in amateur statistics (lichess database). Nobody seems to be prepared for this line.</li>
  </ol>
  <p>The one big drawback of the Four Knights Sicilian is its objective value. In some lines, Black never equalizes (this is also acknowledged in FM Plichta's Chessable course on this opening).
  When following a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3tU7quj-9k" rel="nofollow noreferrer">well-scoring sideline suggested by FM Hacker</a>, one can even end up by force (playing the best engine moves acc. to SF15 depth 23-30) in a position that is +1.2 for White.
  In Molton's Tier list, the quality was ranked the same as variations that went into the excluded tier (&quot;just tricks&quot;).</p>
  <p>However, these positions have never been reached in amateur games on lichess and only extremely rarely in master games.
  Also, the position is complex, with the potential for both sides to go wrong. There is potential counterplay and complication.
  It is highly unlikely, that 2000-rated players will find the best way to punish this opening choice (unless they prepare it at home).
  And even if they reach a position that is better for them, they would still need to play precisely and convert the advantage (far from easy with our counterplay).</p>
  <p>Therefore, I concluded, that it is better for an amateur player to spend time to learn tactics/strategy/endgames rather than to learn more opening theory by playing the Taimanov instead of the Four Knights.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2022-08-04T12:41:25.903Z
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Answers.UserDisplayName: Hauptideal
Answers.Body: <p>I would like to mention that you can be forced into playing the Sveshnikov from a Taimanov after white plays Ndb5 and Bf4. So I think that should rule out the Taimanov leaving only your suggestion of the Four Knights.</p>
  <p>Looking a little deeper into the 4N's I found that it too can be forced into playing the Sveshnikov.</p>
  <p>Maybe we should just play the Sveshnikov, lol.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2023-08-15T02:38:14.170Z
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Answers.UserDisplayName: user17740
Body: <p>My criteria for good &quot;club-player&quot; openings are:</p>
  <ol>
  <li>objectively good</li>
  <li>as little memorization is needed as possible</li>
  <li>forgetting theory / messing up move orders / playing mediocre moves won't kill you immediately</li>
  <li><strong>easy to play and understand</strong>, clear plans/ideas/pawn breaks</li>
  </ol>
  <p>A nice to have would be if the opponent needs to be precise in order to keep an edge and if one could avoid passive positions (like the Maroczy bind).</p>
  <p>I'm aware of the fact that it will be challenging to have everything at once and that every Sicilian player should be willing to learn some concrete theory.</p>
  <p>My three candidates fulfilling as many of these criteria as possible that I have found so far are</p>
  <ul>
  <li>The Hyper Accelerated Dragon</li>
  <li>The Taimanov Sicilian</li>
  <li><a href="https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-classical-sicilian/course/68589/" rel="noreferrer">Shankland's Classical Sicilian</a> (i.e., aiming for the Dragon setup while avoiding the Yugoslav attack and discouraging all anti-Sicilians. However, against the (critical) 6.Bg5 there will be no Dragon setup.). [<a href="https://www.chessable.com/short-sweet-classical-sicilian/course/71311/" rel="noreferrer">Here</a> is a free summary of the lines Shankland recommends]</li>
  </ul>
  <p>What would be your recommendation(s) for club-player-friendly (1600-2000 Elo) Sicilians (for Black)?</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2022-07-27T19:12:51.607Z
Comments.Text: My recommendation would be Kan/Taimanov, because they are idea-driven and safe. The Classical is more on the sharper side. In the HAD I think there is a huge strategical risk of getting a hopeless position if you do not play the opening correctly.
Comments.UserDisplayName: B.Swan
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2022-07-27T19:55:42.713Z
Comments.Text: @B.Swan thanks for your answer! Regarding the HAD, do you mean being strangulated in a Maroczy bind?
Comments.UserDisplayName: Hauptideal
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2022-07-27T21:35:28.353Z
Comments.Text: I assume you're looking for an open Sicilian. When I reply ...c5 , about 75% of the time White plays an anti-Sicilian. My peak ELO was 1300 & most opponents < 1600. I suspect at these levels players want to avoid the complexities of an open Sicilian.
Comments.UserDisplayName: dlemper
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2022-07-28T09:00:35.483Z
Comments.Text: @dlemper Of course, I'm looking for an Open Sicilian, but I'm very OK with all the Anti-Sicilians, because all of them (except Rossolimo) are utterly toothless and not really challenging.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Hauptideal
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2022-07-28T19:24:55.857Z
Comments.Text: As Black, the most difficult anti-Sicilian to play against is the Alapin.  Agree a close second are Bb5 systems like the Rossolimo. Youngsters tend to play the Grand Prix & I can usually beat that.  If White heads toward an open Sicilian I just do my best with the Sveshnikov, or rarely the Scheveningen with or without Najdorf move order.
Comments.UserDisplayName: dlemper
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2022-07-29T20:20:07.193Z
Comments.Text: I have followed the Shankland link, but I find the claim that the classical Sicilian "avoids weaknesses" superficial at best. The issue is that you'll almost always have to answer Bxf6 (which *will* come) by gxf6. And then your pawns are vulnerable, not so much to capture as to blockade (and consequent restriction of your Bishops). The Hyper dragon isn't useful to avoid mainline theory, because White can just play c4 before d4 and then transpose to the Bind. So I'd pick the Taimanov/Kan from your list.
Comments.UserDisplayName: q.undertow
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Comments.CreationDate: 2022-07-31T17:10:54.050Z
Comments.Text: My recommendation though not about the Sicilian is that for the level of player you describe you forget about the Sicilian if you are going to play Black and study the The Petroff Defense (also known as the Russian Defense) is a full positional sound opening. hidden bite. It is one of the most reliable openings in chess, popular at all levels, from beginners to strong grandmasters.
Comments.UserDisplayName: ypg
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2023-08-16T23:58:23.637Z
Comments.Text: The four criteria you mention seem contrary to the whole spirit and reality of the Sicilian. Remember that every White player will have their own favorite line. So, you need to learn not only something against the open Sicilian but also the Alapin, Rossolimo, Smith Morra, Closed, and more. 
  
  That's not for people who don't want to have to learn a lot of theory or who want to not have one bad move ruin things. 
  
  There are much better choices for club players. Scandi, Caro, French, Petroff, or even the Modern/Pirc.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Peter Flom
Tags: <opening><theory><sicilian-defense>
Title: What are some good "club-player" Sicilians?
ThreadText: # What are some good "club-player" Sicilians?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2022-07-21)
  
  My criteria for good "club-player" openings are:
  
  1. objectively good
  2. as little memorization is needed as possible
  3. forgetting theory / messing up move orders / playing mediocre moves won't kill you immediately
  4. **easy to play and understand**, clear plans/ideas/pawn breaks
  
  A nice to have would be if the opponent needs to be precise in order to keep an edge and if one could avoid passive positions (like the Maroczy bind).
  
  I'm aware of the fact that it will be challenging to have everything at once and that every Sicilian player should be willing to learn some concrete theory.
  
  My three candidates fulfilling as many of these criteria as possible that I have found so far are
  
  * The Hyper Accelerated Dragon
  * The Taimanov Sicilian
  * [Shankland's Classical Sicilian](https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-classical-sicilian/course/68589/) (i.e., aiming for the Dragon setup while avoiding the Yugoslav attack and discouraging all anti-Sicilians. However, against the (critical) 6.Bg5 there will be no Dragon setup.). [[Here](https://www.chessable.com/short-sweet-classical-sicilian/course/71311/) is a free summary of the lines Shankland recommends]
  
  What would be your recommendation(s) for club-player-friendly (1600-2000 Elo) Sicilians (for Black)?
  
  **Tags:** opening, theory, sicilian-defense
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: My recommendation would be Kan/Taimanov, because they are idea-driven and safe. The Classical is more on the sharper side. In the HAD I think there is a huge strategical risk of getting a hopeless position if you do not play the opening correctly.  
  > **username_0**: @username_1 thanks for your answer! Regarding the HAD, do you mean being strangulated in a Maroczy bind?  
  > **username_2**: I assume you're looking for an open Sicilian. When I reply ...c5 , about 75% of the time White plays an anti-Sicilian. My peak ELO was 1300 & most opponents < 1600. I suspect at these levels players want to avoid the complexities of an open Sicilian.  
  > **username_0**: @username_2 Of course, I'm looking for an Open Sicilian, but I'm very OK with all the Anti-Sicilians, because all of them (except Rossolimo) are utterly toothless and not really challenging.  
  > **username_2**: As Black, the most difficult anti-Sicilian to play against is the Alapin.  Agree a close second are Bb5 systems like the Rossolimo. Youngsters tend to play the Grand Prix & I can usually beat that.  If White heads toward an open Sicilian I just do my best with the Sveshnikov, or rarely the Scheveningen with or without Najdorf move order.  
  > **username_3**: I have followed the Shankland link, but I find the claim that the classical Sicilian "avoids weaknesses" superficial at best. The issue is that you'll almost always have to answer Bxf6 (which *will* come) by gxf6. And then your pawns are vulnerable, not so much to capture as to blockade (and consequent restriction of your Bishops). The Hyper dragon isn't useful to avoid mainline theory, because White can just play c4 before d4 and then transpose to the Bind. So I'd pick the Taimanov/Kan from your list.  
  > **username_4**: My recommendation though not about the Sicilian is that for the level of player you describe you forget about the Sicilian if you are going to play Black and study the The Petroff Defense (also known as the Russian Defense) is a full positional sound opening. hidden bite. It is one of the most reliable openings in chess, popular at all levels, from beginners to strong grandmasters.  
  > **username_5**: The four criteria you mention seem contrary to the whole spirit and reality of the Sicilian. Remember that every White player will have their own favorite line. So, you need to learn not only something against the open Sicilian but also the Alapin, Rossolimo, Smith Morra, Closed, and more.   That's not for people who don't want to have to learn a lot of theory or who want to not have one bad move ruin things.   There are much better choices for club players. Scandi, Caro, French, Petroff, or even the Modern/Pirc.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_0 on 2022-08-04. Score: 3
  
  **Methodology**
  
  I went through all Sicilian variations of GM Moulthun Ly's [Sicilian Defense Tier List](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSIXbs9Esuc), where he ranks the Sicilian variations by quality and amount of theory/difficulty of play.
  
  1. **Quality**: I discarded every variation that he regarded worse than 3rd class / mediocre quality in his final ranking (even though I briefly considered the Nimzovich Sicilian)(i.e. I excluded the Nimzo, Godiva, Pin variation, O'Kelly [(which he has a video on as a simple Sicilian)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtDoEWWsWnM), Paulsen-Basman, Katalimov).
  2. **Difficulty/Theory**: I discarded every variation he considers highly difficult (i.e. Sveshnikov, Classical, Scheveningen, Dragon, Najdorf). All remaining openings are already interesting for a club player.
  3. I removed variations that allow major alternatives to the open Sicilian, such as the Rossolimo variation (and therefore more **theory** to know, e.g. the Kalashnikov variation) and variations where Black is **passive** (e.g. Kan variation, Hedgehog, HAD).
  
  Only two openings remained (Taimanov Sicilian and Sicilian 4 knights), which I investigated with the help of books/chessable openings courses, video lectures the lichess opening statistics and an engine.
  Because I wasn't proceeding systematically from the start, I also analysed/read books/courses on the Classical Sicilian, Sveshnikov Sicilian, (Hyper-) Accelerated Dragon and played all of these openings in at least a few Blitz / Rapid games each to get a feeling for how fun, intuitive and understandable the positions are.
  
  In the end, I chose the **Four knights Sicilian** for practical reasons (and will probably later switch to the Taimanov, if required at any point).
  
  1. There is even less theory (there are only two good options for White, and White has to play very precisely).
  2. Black has a **very simple plan** of pressurizing the center with Bb4 or quickly breaking with d5 if allowed. At the same time, most of White's typical ideas against the Sicilian that work in other variations are too slow.
  3. Black develops quickly and actively. No time "wasted" on moves like a6. If White doesn't react immediately, Black is at least fine or even better.
  4. The opening scores exceptionally well (more points for Black than White!) in amateur statistics (lichess database). Nobody seems to be prepared for this line.
  
  The one big drawback of the Four Knights Sicilian is its objective value. In some lines, Black never equalizes (this is also acknowledged in FM Plichta's Chessable course on this opening).
  When following a [well-scoring sideline suggested by FM Hacker](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3tU7quj-9k), one can even end up by force (playing the best engine moves acc. to SF15 depth 23-30) in a position that is +1.2 for White.
  In Molton's Tier list, the quality was ranked the same as variations that went into the excluded tier ("just tricks").
  
  However, these positions have never been reached in amateur games on lichess and only extremely rarely in master games.
  Also, the position is complex, with the potential for both sides to go wrong. There is potential counterplay and complication.
  It is highly unlikely, that 2000-rated players will find the best way to punish this opening choice (unless they prepare it at home).
  And even if they reach a position that is better for them, they would still need to play precisely and convert the advantage (far from easy with our counterplay).
  
  Therefore, I concluded, that it is better for an amateur player to spend time to learn tactics/strategy/endgames rather than to learn more opening theory by playing the Taimanov instead of the Four Knights.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2023-08-15. Score: 0
  
  I would like to mention that you can be forced into playing the Sveshnikov from a Taimanov after white plays Ndb5 and Bf4. So I think that should rule out the Taimanov leaving only your suggestion of the Four Knights.
  
  Looking a little deeper into the 4N's I found that it too can be forced into playing the Sveshnikov.
  
  Maybe we should just play the Sveshnikov, lol.
  
  
  ---
  
  