Answers.Body: <p>This variation is uncommon, but it's certainly not unheard of. I don't know of a particular name for it, and rather than get bogged down in the endlessly-analyzed lines, let's just take a quick, objective look at what this move accomplishes, and what it gives up.</p>
  
  <h2>Advantages</h2>
  
  <ul>
  <li><code>3.Bc4</code> aims, as you said, at the <code>f7</code> pawn. If allowed to remain on the diagonal, this Bishop could provide pressure against the Black kingside in the midgame.</li>
  <li>It develops the Bishop quickly, allowing White to castle kingside immediately if he so chooses.</li>
  <li>It may avoid trading away the Bishop for Black's QN or QB like we see in the Canal-Sokolsky Attack (<code>3.Bb5+</code>) or other variations where White's KB lands on <code>b5</code>. </li>
  <li>It grants White some additional influence over the light central squares weakened by Black's first two moves (<code>c5</code> and <code>e6</code>).</li>
  </ul>
  
  <h2>Drawbacks</h2>
  
  <ul>
  <li>By developing to <code>c4</code> so early, this move appears to invite Black to play <code>...e6</code>, immediately limiting the Bishop's scope and possibly requiring a future relocation.</li>
  <li>On <code>c4</code>, the Bishop is vulnerable to space-gaining queenside maneuvers via <code>...a6</code> and <code>...b5</code>, or <code>...Nc6-a5</code>.</li>
  <li>This move does not provide any immediate threats, so Black is free to continue to choose a system as he pleases.</li>
  </ul>
  
  <h2>Ideas</h2>
  
  <p>Looking at these two lists, a picture begins to form of the themes for both sides. </p>
  
  <p><strong>White</strong> will likely try to hold onto this Bishop, to assist in his kingside operations. He will likely play <code>4.d3</code> to keep the position closed, and to cement his hold on the light central squares. </p>
  
  <p>Meanwhile, <strong>Black</strong> may use the Bishop's placement as a convenient way to make his thematic land grabs on the queenside. Black is not compelled to respond in any particular way, though my database suggests that a Dragon-like setup with <code>...Nf6, ...Nc6, ...g6, ...Bg7</code> is slightly more popular in this line than the <code>...e6</code> variants.</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp2ppbp/2np1np1/2p5/4P3/1BPP1N2/PP3PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w - -"]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Nc6 5. c3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Bb3 O-O
  </code></pre>
  
  <hr>
  
  <h2>Conclusion</h2>
  
  <p>This third move choice from White, while unusual, does not seem to be downright inferior. It suggests a tense, positional midgame, with each side operating on his better flank. Good luck!</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-03-20T19:53:35.150Z
Answers.Text: Thanks a lot for this detailed explanation! I like `3. ...Nf6` myself and that's the move I usually make. What if White plays `4. Ng5` once again aiming at `f7`? I think `4. ...e6` looks like the logical continuation, am I missing something?
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tomislav Dyulgerov
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-03-20T19:59:47.283Z
Answers.Text: @Tomislav `4.Ng5` seems very weak to me, since as you said, `4...e6` blocks the White Bishop's access to `f7` and makes White look pretty silly--especially since the Knight's placement could then become a target for a time-gaining pawn spike later on!
Answers.UserDisplayName: Henry Keiter
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-03-20T20:03:43.590Z
Answers.Text: Thanks again, Henry! `Ng5` seems week indeed, but `e6` hinders the development of the light squared bishop, should I look for a fianchetto there?
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tomislav Dyulgerov
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-03-20T20:09:11.927Z
Answers.Text: @Tomislav You may well "fall into" a queenside fianchetto after `...e6`, since you're likely to have a good shot at playing `...b5` one way or another, perhaps with tempo against the exposed White Bishop. However, given that the queenside is usually Black's stronger side in this opening, `...Bd7` (supporting `b5` and `a4`) is often just as good, or perhaps even better. The specifics, of course, come down to your own playstyle and the actual position on the board :-)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Henry Keiter
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-03-20T16:33:04.477Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-12-03T23:32:53.273Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2014-12-03T23:32:53.273Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Henry Keiter
Body: <p><strong>First a bit of background:</strong></p>
  
  <p>I really like playing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence" rel="nofollow">Sicilian Defense</a> as Black and it is my preferred choice of action against <code>1. e4</code>. I prefer the <code>Open Sicilian</code> with <code>Dragon</code> and <code>Najdorf</code> being my favourite variations.</p>
  
  <p><strong>Now to the question itself:</strong></p>
  
  <p>At my skill level my opponents often play the following variation:</p>
  
  <pre><code>[FEN ""]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4!?
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Here I find <code>3. Bc4</code> to be a sub-optimal move and I usually continue with my plan and go for the Dragon variation, since I don't think <code>a6</code> achieves much, at this point.</p>
  
  <p>On the other hand he is clearly aiming at <code>f7</code> and moves like <code>Nf6</code> and <code>g6</code> do nothing to counter his threat.</p>
  
  <p>What is your evaluation on this opening position? Can you give me some pointers at what is the best way to exploit White's last move?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks!</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2021-05-13T20:58:31.450Z
Comments.Text: If you're going for the Dragon, 3.Bc4 can't be "suboptimal". White can transpose to the mainline on the next move!
Comments.UserDisplayName: David
Tags: <opening><analysis><theory><sicilian-defense>
Title: B50: Sicilian Defense 3. Bc4
ThreadText: # B50: Sicilian Defense 3. Bc4
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2014-03-20)
  
  **First a bit of background:**
  
  I really like playing the [Sicilian Defense](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence) as Black and it is my preferred choice of action against `1. e4`. I prefer the `Open Sicilian` with `Dragon` and `Najdorf` being my favourite variations.
  
  **Now to the question itself:**
  
  At my skill level my opponents often play the following variation:
  
  ```
  [FEN ""]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4!?
  
  ```
  
  Here I find `3. Bc4` to be a sub-optimal move and I usually continue with my plan and go for the Dragon variation, since I don't think `a6` achieves much, at this point.
  
  On the other hand he is clearly aiming at `f7` and moves like `Nf6` and `g6` do nothing to counter his threat.
  
  What is your evaluation on this opening position? Can you give me some pointers at what is the best way to exploit White's last move?
  
  Thanks!
  
  **Tags:** opening, analysis, theory, sicilian-defense
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: If you're going for the Dragon, 3.Bc4 can't be "suboptimal". White can transpose to the mainline on the next move!  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2014-03-20. Score: 12 | Accepted answer
  
  This variation is uncommon, but it's certainly not unheard of. I don't know of a particular name for it, and rather than get bogged down in the endlessly-analyzed lines, let's just take a quick, objective look at what this move accomplishes, and what it gives up.
  
  ## Advantages
  
  * `3.Bc4` aims, as you said, at the `f7` pawn. If allowed to remain on the diagonal, this Bishop could provide pressure against the Black kingside in the midgame.
  * It develops the Bishop quickly, allowing White to castle kingside immediately if he so chooses.
  * It may avoid trading away the Bishop for Black's QN or QB like we see in the Canal-Sokolsky Attack (`3.Bb5+`) or other variations where White's KB lands on `b5`.
  * It grants White some additional influence over the light central squares weakened by Black's first two moves (`c5` and `e6`).
  
  ## Drawbacks
  
  * By developing to `c4` so early, this move appears to invite Black to play `...e6`, immediately limiting the Bishop's scope and possibly requiring a future relocation.
  * On `c4`, the Bishop is vulnerable to space-gaining queenside maneuvers via `...a6` and `...b5`, or `...Nc6-a5`.
  * This move does not provide any immediate threats, so Black is free to continue to choose a system as he pleases.
  
  ## Ideas
  
  Looking at these two lists, a picture begins to form of the themes for both sides.
  
  **White** will likely try to hold onto this Bishop, to assist in his kingside operations. He will likely play `4.d3` to keep the position closed, and to cement his hold on the light central squares.
  
  Meanwhile, **Black** may use the Bishop's placement as a convenient way to make his thematic land grabs on the queenside. Black is not compelled to respond in any particular way, though my database suggests that a Dragon-like setup with `...Nf6, ...Nc6, ...g6, ...Bg7` is slightly more popular in this line than the `...e6` variants.
  
  ```
  [FEN "r1bq1rk1/pp2ppbp/2np1np1/2p5/4P3/1BPP1N2/PP3PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w - -"]
  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Nc6 5. c3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Bb3 O-O
  
  ```
  
  ---
  
  ## Conclusion
  
  This third move choice from White, while unusual, does not seem to be downright inferior. It suggests a tense, positional midgame, with each side operating on his better flank. Good luck!
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Thanks a lot for this detailed explanation! I like `3. ...Nf6` myself and that's the move I usually make. What if White plays `4. Ng5` once again aiming at `f7`? I think `4. ...e6` looks like the logical continuation, am I missing something?  
  > **username_2**: @username_0 `4.Ng5` seems very weak to me, since as you said, `4...e6` blocks the White Bishop's access to `f7` and makes White look pretty silly--especially since the Knight's placement could then become a target for a time-gaining pawn spike later on!  
  > **username_0**: Thanks again, username_2! `Ng5` seems week indeed, but `e6` hinders the development of the light squared bishop, should I look for a fianchetto there?  
  > **username_2**: @username_0 You may well "fall into" a queenside fianchetto after `...e6`, since you're likely to have a good shot at playing `...b5` one way or another, perhaps with tempo against the exposed White Bishop. However, given that the queenside is usually Black's stronger side in this opening, `...Bd7` (supporting `b5` and `a4`) is often just as good, or perhaps even better. The specifics, of course, come down to your own playstyle and the actual position on the board :-)  
  
  ---
  
  