EXPERTS vs. THE SICILAN

Authors: Several GMs and IMs

288 pages

$24.95

Quality Chess (2004)

Reviewed by Jeremy Silman

In the tradition of Nunn’s highly popular BEATING THE SICILIAN, EXPERTS vs. THE SICILIAN takes a hard look at every Black system after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3, striving to create a complete, aggressive, and challenging anti-Sicilian repertoire for White.

A quick look at the contents will tell us what lines are explored, how many pages were given to each variation, and what authors dealt the systems in question.

Contents:

•    The Najdorf  (6.Bg5) by Thomas Luther (33 pages)

•    The Dragon  (9.0-0-0) by Mikhail Golubev (48 pages)

•    The Sveshnikov  (9.Bxf6) by Jacob Aagaard (21 pages)

•    The Classical Sicilian (6.Bg5) by Peter Wells (37 pages)

•    The Kan and Taimanov (Be3 and Bd3) by Sune Berg Hansen (40 pages)

•    The Accelerated Dragon (Maroczy with Nc2) by Peter Heine Nielsen (11 pages)

•    The Scheveningen (Keres Attack) by Viktor Gavrikov (20 pages)

•    The Kalashnikov (Nd5, c4) by Jan Pinski (9 pages)

•    The Four Knights (Ndb5 and a3) by Alexander Raetsky (8 pages)

•    The Pin Variation by Jacob Aagaard (12 pages)

•    The Nimzowitsch Variation by Jacob Aagaard (16 pages)

•    Minor Lines by John Shaw (16 pages)

•    5th move alternatives by Jacob Aagaard (6 pages)

I very much liked the fact that the recommended lines, in almost every case, take the bull by the horns. Thus, the Najdorf is answered by the hyper-sharp 6.Bg5, the Scheveningen is beaten down by the Keres Attack, and the Dragon is tortured by the extremely popular and annoying 9.0-0-0.

I also appreciated Peter Heine Nielsen’s choice against my favorite Accelerated Dragon (the Maroczy with Nc2). This line always seemed dangerous when I was actively using this opening as Black, and I was never happy when the occasional opponent trotted out Nc2 against me.

In general, all the authors made serious efforts to give a deep analysis of their recommended systems. On top of that, most also supplied commentary on both side’s ideas and plans. The section on the Accelerated gives lots of wonderful explanation of positional ideas, while Sune Berg Hansen’s section on the Kan and Taimanov offers up the following very useful advice on move orders: “Move orders are one of the biggest problems in the flexible Taimanov and Kan lines. I will begin by explaining some of the things that characterize the Kan/Taimanov. The big difference compared to the Scheveningen (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6) is, of course, that Black has not played d7-d6 yet (and might not do so at all) or Nf6, but he has the option almost every move! This is very important for understanding White’s different lines against the Taimanov and Kan: Black is under no circumstances to be allowed to play d7-d6 with a favorable transposition to the Scheveningen, or to a line that in not part of the repertoire recommended in this book.”

Great stuff – simple but important!

After looking at all the main lines (with their complex analysis and demanding tactics), I expected the final four chapters to finally let up in intensity since the systems they discussed were “known” to be dubious. Instead, something odd happens: we get no less than 12 pages on the “silly” Pin Variation, and in the end Aagaard seems unable to prove a certain advantage! Can this be possible? Next up was the Nimzowitsch Variation (16 pages!), another system that’s always a hair’s breath from the rubbish heap. But, shock of shocks, once again Aagaard finds it difficult to prove a White plus!

Though I appreciate his honesty and all his original analysis (he put a lot of effort into these chapters), and his letting us know that several new ideas are revitalizing these lines, I can’t believe that the future of the Sicilian can be found in the Pin and Nimzowitsch Variations. In fact, a close look the shaky positions Black usually gets in both lines leaves one feeling that a few adjustments will leave White comfortably on top – as always, it will take time, practice, and home analysis. Of course, that’s just my opinion – perhaps Pin or Nimzo fans will beg to differ.

As one goes through chapter after chapter, you begin to feel invincible vs. the Sicilian thanks to the wonderful job done by virtually every author. It really is a grand effort, and a must buy if you are 1800 to Grandmaster and open with 1.e4. Note the rating range: the lines here are far too demanding (tactically and memory-wise) for anyone under class “A”.

To repeat: If you’re 1800 or higher and play 1.e4, and if you’re willing to put some serious work into your anti-Sicilian responses, this is a MUST BUY.

Click if you would like to purchase EXPERTS vs. THE SICILIAN.