The Sicilian: The Sicilian, 2nd edition (Starting Out Series)

John Emms can always be relied on to produce a good chess book and this edition by Everyman Chess is no exception. The newcomer to the Sicilian defence is given a basic grounding in everything the player of the black pieces can expect againt 1.e4 c5 including the Grand Prix Attack (2.f4) and the popular Rossolimo and Moscow variations (3.Bb5).

I have to admit that I'm a lazy chess player. I only play online so the requirement to know reams of opening theory is not really applicable to me. I can easily look up the opening as we go along and see which move is most popular to make next. However, this does not let me understand why I am making the move, so I was just playing by rote and not thinking enough. This was the thought behind buying this book, and I am hugely impressed with it.It is clearly written, with just enough detail to give you a sense of how to play a position without just listing thousands of variations to learn. It covers very concisely the main themes of each opening and then gives you some annotated examplar games to look through. I have found that I now play the Scilian not move by move, but I have a much better feel for general plans I should be following, and things I should watch my opponent for.I am winning a little more, but I'm also understanding why I am losing which is just as important!

This book is a great introductory guide to the sicilian defence. It covers well known systems such as The Dragon, The Najdorf, The Scheveningen, The Classical, Open Sicilians, Bb5 Systems, and the c3 Sicilian not to mention, Other Systems.What make this book interesting is that the sicilian is played from both the Black and the White perspective. There are plenty of illustrative games provided throughout each chapter seeing both Black and White win.In terms of variations for the sicilian, there are probably more in this book than I have found in any other so far. This is definitely a good general guide packed full of ideas for both sides and is very clear on strategies.

This book is great for people starting out. It taught me a lot in terms of opening strategy with the Sicilian and greatly developed my intuition. The sample games and their explanations for each variation are really helpful too. Really recommend this one for any intermediate or beginner players looking to get into the Sicilian.

The method

Uno de los libros que ahora estoy leyendo...ejemplos de partidas con sus explicaciones. Soy un jugador de francesa y pienso que un cambio de aire fresco me vendrá bien utilizando líneas más incisiva como lo es la defensa siciliana.

文字通り、シシリアン・ディフェンスを初めてみる本です。チェスで最も有名で、最も指されている戦法といっても過言ではないこの戦法、variationだけで単行本もたくさんでています。Openingの本では、ほとんど手順の羅列だけで終わってしまい、また個々のvariationの本では、詳しすぎます。そこで、シシリアンをはじめてみようという時にこの本はお薦めです。この本は、変化手順についてはやたらと詳しいわけではありません。各variationごとに狙いを示し、また実戦譜を示しながら解説されています。さらに詳しくこの戦法を知るには、この本の冒頭にBibliographyとして記載されている書籍がお薦めです。

This is an INTRODUCTION to the sicilian, it will give you an overview of the basic plans in the most common lines. I think it is well written, and does not go too deeply into variations. My only complaints are twofold:1: No index of variations2: Ordering of systems. Dragon is first, Najdorf is second, c3 is nearly last. I think c3 should be first, because it is less theoretically sharp, but that's a quibble.I recommend this book to everyone who is thinking of playing the sicilian or plays against it often. I'm a Caro-Kann player by heart, but I think some knowledge of the sicilian will help me as white when I play 1. e4 -- perhaps i'll even start playing something besides 2. c3 with a little bit of theoretical backing.