Oct '99 Update
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Hi, welcome to the debut update for the Open Sicilians. Bumper startAn incredible amount of new games are played in these Sicilians every month, so I have put together a bumper update of well over a hundred games (!), all with brief comments and observations. |
Wide coverage
In order to do justice to all this new material, you`ll find the style of the update here a little different to some of the other sites. That means although the games are not covered in quite the same detail, an enormous amount of ground has been covered.
The links to games featured on this page are just a summary of what`s in this update.
Najdorf
The Najdorf variation (B90) has seen some interesting developments. I recommend that viewers check out Black's replies to 6 Rg1. There are several decent ways of meeting this; I was very impressed by GM Topalov's treatment in FED59. Take a look at them.
The 6 Be3 lines have seen changes as well; the lines with 6...Ng4 have been doing very well for Black (see, for instance, FED60). All the games in this variation are worth a look. Hardcore Najorf players will be very pleased with what they see in this issue.
Richter-Rauzer
The Richter Rauzer sees some interesting developments. Checkout the debate between two super-giants in FED103 and FED105 . Black drew one game with an interesting ideas and bit the dust in game two but it seems black had chances to equalize. Look over FED107. The opening here is in fashion and looks to be doing quite well.
I have also covered those variations amongst the oldest in the Richter-Rauzer, especially those with ...Bd7 and the so-called 'Margate variation', 6...e6 7 Bb5. Having said that, I believe that they are both reasonable choices.
I have played ...Bd7 systems myself numerous times over the years. Kozul has used it as a main weapon, look at his game with Palac.
The Margate variation is another interesting sideline which is worth an occasional try. Black must play accurately to avoid various tricks.The notes to FED169 are informative and it's good to know how this anti-Rauzer weapon works.
Scheveningen
The Scheveningen had in recent times been replaced by other variations, in part down to White's success with the Keres Attack. Some players circumvent the Keres and get into the Schev through a Taimanov move order (see FED179). For some not exactly typical examples of the Keres see FED180 (very weird), FED181 and FED182. FED183 deserves a look as well.
Najdorf-Sozin
The Najdorf Sozin saw some games that deserve attention; FED72 is an example of how not to play but the notes are interesting, FED77 and FED75 should be looked at as well. I think that the opening of FED73 from white's point of view is losing momentum. Lautier tried one of the Qf3 lines vs Gelfand in Las Vegas, see FED74.
Pelikan/Kalashnikov
Although the Lasker Pelikan and the Kalashnikov didn't see any startling developments, there are some games of note.
Sozin
In the Classical Sozin variation there were some interesting developments. Look at FED139 featuring the Benko variation. In the Benko variation there was some activity with 7 Nxc6 bc6. FED148 is also worthy of attention. The other games show interesting ways of playing and instructive mistakes.
Paulsen/Taimanov
New developments in these lines have been few and far between, but there were some games worthy of attention. To the viewers I particularly recommend perusing the games FED115, FED116 and FED120 .The other games have their points of interest as well.
Classical Two Knights
The Classical Two Knights isn't what you would call super theoretical. These lines are the solid ones. The readers can follow these without much change in the theory. It's important to note concepts not so many tactical points. The games FED126, FED127 AND FED133 deserve a look.