The Safest Sicilian

THE SAFEST SICILIAN: A Black Repertoire with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6
Authors: Alexander Delchev and Semko Semkov
Chess Stars (2006)
218 pages
$27.95

Reviewed by Jeremy Silman

When one sees a Sicilian described as "safe," it makes me think that it must somehow be boring. However, how can a sharp opening like the Sicilian be safe or boring? The variation in question is the Taimanov Variation, which is a sound, largely positional choice. Note the word "largely." Since 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be2 Nf6 7.0-0 a6 8.Be3 Bb4 9.Na4 Be7 can lead to positions that are downright frisky, while the English Attack (White plays f3 at some point with queenside castling) can easily turn into a bloodbath, the word "safe" might be a bit misleading (the Accelerated Dragon seems far safer than the Taimanov, though I must admit that the Taimanov leads to richer positions).

Be it safe or not, this book has much to commend it. First (and perhaps most important) is the fact that one of the authors, grandmaster Delchev, is a noted expert on this variation. This means that he knows what he's talking about since he's played it in dozens of game against topnotch opposition. What is also nice is the fact that both authors go out of their way to present many interesting new ideas and variations. In fact, when they feel that a line isn't quite up to snuff, they usually make a point of giving the reader a novelty or two to try out.

Other huge plusses:
* They give a detailed discussion of the plans and ideas for both sides at the beginning of every section.
* Each line is given a serious, very detailed analysis.
The end of every section offers up a slew of complete games that illustrate the proper ways to handle this opening from start to finish.
* Words! The authors explain what's going on all through the book in clear, simple terms. This obvious desire to share more than analysis with the reader is very rare in such a serious opening book.
* Honesty! In many repertoire books, the author will creatively lie in order to make the recommended system seem invulnerable. Delchev and Semkov, though, always let you know when Black is under pressure, and they will always do their best to patch things up with serious, intelligent recommendations.

Finally, don't forget that this is a repertoire book. However, the word "repertoire" is a bit misleading since they only tell you what to do AFTER 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 is played. Thus, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.b4 is covered, but 2.b4 is not (and this can be significant since in some lines the Knight on f3 blocks the White Queen's route to g4). 2.Nf3 e6 3.Nc3 is covered, but 2.Nc3 is not (though in this case I guess you would treat both in the same manner: 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 e6, etc.). Perhaps the most important sideline is 2.c3. Though this isn't in the book via this move order, a full answer is given after 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 Nf6 when 4.e5 Nd5 amounts to the same thing as 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5.

All in all, THE SAFEST SICILIAN is extremely impressive. I've never seen a better mix of extremely intense and detailed variations with instructive/explanatory prose.

A word of warning: a lot of memorization is involved, and lines range from positionally exacting to tactically difficult. In my opinion, this system isn't suitable for anyone under 1900. For everyone in that range right up to grandmaster, this is a must own book if you want to play the Taimanov Sicilian, or if you play against it as White.

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