The Sicilian Defense

This is tied for first place defense with the Pirc Defense. This looks funny to most beginners, but as you start to move into advanced play, you will see this more often. This is so common and has so many variations that I cannot begin to go into them all. The main line: 1. e4, c5. There is Sicilian Dragon where black fianchettoes, the Najdorf Variation where black pushes the a pawn to slow white's development, the Alapin Variation which is when white tries to gain a pawn center, the Grand Prix Attack, and there is the Teachout Attack which I give credit to my friend for coming up with. The way you should react is if you get black and you win, you win. If you get black and you draw, you win. If you get black and lose, you lose. White is aiming solely for the win and not for a draw or a loss. Black is aiming to draw the game or win it. The Sicilian Defense generally leads to a slow, closed game, but this is one of the best choices for black because of the overwhelming rating of draws combined with wins over losses for black. The advantage to the Sicilian is that it forces black to develop his knights, which is better for black. One of the best things about the Sicilian Defense is it doesn't give white a direct target or threat. It also makes sure that white doesn't move d4 next move because it would give black the lead in development.

The Sicilian Dragon

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

This is a very popular variation of the Sicilian Defense. It is actually called the Dragon Variation. The pawn layout for black is said to look like a dragon. 2. Nf3, d6 3. d4, cxd4 4. Nxd4, Nf6 5. Nc3, g6. This is followed by a fianchetto and then black castles. This is considered the main line for the Dragon Variation, but in fact any time black fianchettoes in a Sicilian Defense, it is considered a Dragon Variation. In most games, it is not good for black or white to castle queenside just because that is where all of the pieces are concentrated. Plus, the whole queenside is open and under attack. There are exceptions. This looks a lot like a Pirc Defense, but the queenside is different. In many cases, it is best to combine Pirc and Sicilian.

The Najdorf Variation

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

This is also a very commonly played opening. It is exactly the same as the Dragon except for that last move of g6. Instead, black moves a6. This seems like a silly move that has no purpose and breaks the rules of opening play. In fact, this is not true. You will notice that the g and the a pawns have switched places from last diagram. The move 5...a6 has 4 points to it 1 and 2 are the knights. Neither of them can move to b5 because of the pawn. 3 is that the bishop can't check on b5 either. 4 is that it prepares for the pawn push to b5 to strengthen the pawn structure later in the game. Not bad thinking by Grandmaster Najdorf!

The Alapin Variation

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

You will most commonly see this with inexperienced people on the Sicilian Defense. This can often turn into a Sicilian French Variation. White's move is 2. c3 to prepare for a commanding d5 move next turn. One of the best responses for black in this situation is to push 2...e6. After 3. d4, pxp 4. pxp, d5. Just like in the French Defense, white can exchange or advance. You can see what it looks like to the left. Black is also very well off playing Nf6 in response as well. The great thing about the Sicilian Defense is that all of the variations are compatible with each other. You can combine French and Sicilian defenses, Najdorf and Dragon, Grand Prix and Alapin. The position on the left can be good for both white and black. It depends on how you play it. Now, the ball is in your court.

The Grand Prix Attack

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

This is common with the Sicilian Defense as well. This is a little like the stormline, but not quite. There isn't much on this attack, but it gets white a semi pawn center. This can be played however, but it is a more commanding pawn move. For some reason, this has the lowest success rate of all of the Sicilian Defense variations. All that the Grand Prix Attack is, is 2. f4. You can see it to the left.

The Teachout Attack

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

This is a very good opening for white against the Sicilian Defense. Most people do not know it because It has been invented recently. The point to this is to make it easy to castle queenside and develop quickly and safely. It also prevents black from doing the Dragon Variation or he loses a pawn. This was formed for the sole purpose of rapid development. The line goes 2. Nf3, Nc6 3. Bc4, e6 4. Nc3, g6 5. d3, Bg7 6. Be3. This doesn't seem that great, but black has no advantageous way of saving the pawn. Plus, white can castle queenside very soon. This can be very overwhelming for black and very powerful for white.

The Classic Sicilian

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

Rapid development to good spots means success. That is the whole purpose of the Teachout Attack. Most of these games all look very similar except the Teachout Attack. They all have the same pattern. One of the best things you can do with this is make the game a Sicilian Scotch game. You move Nf3 and push the d pawn to d4. Another note: in the classic opening, you move Bc4 on move 3. This is a slightly weaker move in the Sicilian Defense. You should if you can move Bb5 instead. You can see on the left how much more powerful it is.