- ·
We forced Black to make an
immediate decision on move 3 and wait for the right moment to open the
position.
- ·
We created practical
difficulties for the opponent. Naturally, it is not possible to find an
advantage in every variation but we have ensured to add many detailed
explanations to guide plans and aid understanding in the various positions
we’ll encounter.
- ·
We think our analysis makes
Black’s path to equality extremely narrow.
- ·
Finally, we thought it was
important to also consider the less popular second moves (2…g6, 2…a6, and
2…Nf6). In particular, we examined both 3.c3 and 3.c4 against 2…g6.
- ·
The latter transposes to an
Accelerated Dragon, which I can justify including in an Anti-Sicilian book as I
believe it’s correct to enter an ‘Open-Sicilian’ type position if it benefits
us. This approach has been emphasized across both volumes and it is made
especially clear in the chapter against 2…g6.
This
second and final volume of the Anti-Sicilian series covers our approach for all
alternatives to 2…Nc6. The choice against 2…d6 was obvious. The Moscow variation
is the only critical alternative to 3.d4 that has caused any concerns for Black
– by developing with a tempo, we force Black to make an immediate decision on
move 3 and wait for the right moment to open the position. Whilst in the
Rossolimo book we have tried to achieve an objective advantage against every line, our choices in the Moscow were mainly selected by their ability to create practical
difficulties for the opponent. Naturally, it is not possible to find an
advantage in every variation but we have ensured to add many detailed
explanations to guide plans and aid understanding in the various positions
we’ll encounter
