SICILIAN FOR THE LAZY
In German: Sizilianisch für Mussiggänger
Author: Valeri Bronznik
Schachverlag Kania (2004)
174 pages

Reviewed by John Watson

I have previously reviewed Valeri Bronznik’s books on this site because I consider them of exceptional quality. His work on the Chigorin Defense was particularly original, stuffed with exciting material, and organized in a pleasant and useful way. Bronsnik’s new book does not disappoint. Sizilianisch für Mussiggänger can be roughly translated as “Sicilian for the Lazy” [literally “Sicilian for the Idler”, but lazy folk are the ones that study openings that don’t take much work, whereas idlers probably don’t study at all]. The idea is that one can play this opening without having to memorize a great number of lines.

The opening with which Bronznik is concerned goes 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5. He calls this the “Basman-Sale Variation” because it was played consistently by Michael Basman in the 1970s, and more recently by IM Srdjan Sale, who has used 4...Bc5 with great success throughout the 1990s. It should be added that IM Bronznik himself has defended the variation on a consistent basis; he has yet to find anything remotely like a refutation. It’s exciting when some irregular opening for Black combines worth and playability.

As one browses through the book we find that its theory is surprisingly developed in certain lines. In fact some quite respectable players have experimented with it, for example,  Emms, Christiansen, Stripunsky, Kveinys, Hracek, and Dobosz. In addition, Bronznik provides alternatives to other move orders, for example, 3.Nc3 a6 4.d4 (4.g3 b5!?) 4...b5!? 5.d5 Bb7. Those playing these “irregular” variations include Gulko, Bologan, Serper, Adamski, Goldin, and other GMs. So it’s not as though 4...Bc5 can only be attempted on a low level of play. Everywhere throughout the book the author offers original suggestions and alternate ways to play, so you are not squeezed into corners.

A typically original idea can be seen in Bologan – Nadanian, Moscow 2002:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Nb3 Bb6 6.Nc3 Ne7 7.Bc4 0–0 8.Bf4 f5 9.Bd6 fxe4 10.Nxe4

10...Nf5!! with the idea 11.Bxf8 (11.0–0 Nxd6 12.Nxd6 was played, when Bronznik suggests 12...Qe7 “!!” (okay, an exaggerated notation), for example,  13.Qd3 [13.Qd2 Nc6 14.Rad1 Ne5 15.Be2 Nf7!, =] 13...Nc6 14.Qg3 Nd8! 15.Bd3 Nf7 16.Nc4 Bd8!? intending ...d5 and ...Be7) 11...Qxf8 12.Bd3 (12.Be2 d5 13.Ng5?! Ng3!) 12...d5 13.Ng5 Ng3 14.Bxh7+ Kh8 15.Nh3! Bxf2+! (15...Nxh1?? 16.Qh5) 16.Nxf2 Nxh1 17.Nxh1 Kxh7 18.Qh5+ Kg8, which is roughly equal.

As with Bronznik’s other books, the fact that it is written in German is a legitimate concern for potential readers. Sizilianisch für Mussiggänger will naturally be much more comprehensible and engaging if one can read Bronznik’s comments and explanations. Still, many chessplayers don’t need more that the games, moves, and analysis to interest them. Otherwise a smattering of German will suffice to get you through the direct assessments and general concepts. Assuming that the language issue isn’t serious, I can highly recommend this original and diligently-researched book to everyone.