Why is the d3 / very delayed d4 sicillian so popular among beginners • page 1/1 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

Why is the d3 / very delayed d4 white sicillian so popular among beginners ? , there are less passive ways to avoid the open sicillian .

tpr

d3 is perfectly fine, against the Sicilian as well as in the Ruy Lopez or the Italian.
It makes sense not to trade a central pawn d4 for a wing pawn c5.

d3 is perfectly fine, against the Sicilian as well as in the Ruy Lopez or the Italian. It makes sense not to trade a central pawn d4 for a wing pawn c5.

najdorfplayer48

@tpr said ^

It makes sense not to trade a central pawn d4 for a wing pawn c5.

one could do this without d3 = c3 d4

@tpr said [^](/forum/redirect/post/wuwpc8Yk) > It makes sense not to trade a central pawn d4 for a wing pawn c5. one could do this without d3 = c3 d4

najdorfplayer48

its less passive

tpr

Yes, the Alapin 2 c3 intending d4 is a good way to handle the Sicilian. Black can profit from the fact that square c3 is no longer available for Nb1 with either 2...Nf6 or 2...d5. Sveshnikov was of the opinion that 2 c3 is the strongest move against the Sicilian.

However, Bc4 and d3 is fine too

https://lichess.org/yDQhli4J#6

Yes, the Alapin 2 c3 intending d4 is a good way to handle the Sicilian. Black can profit from the fact that square c3 is no longer available for Nb1 with either 2...Nf6 or 2...d5. Sveshnikov was of the opinion that 2 c3 is the strongest move against the Sicilian. However, Bc4 and d3 is fine too https://lichess.org/yDQhli4J#6

ChessPriyome

@najdorfplayer48 said ^

Why is the d3 / very delayed d4 white sicillian so popular among beginners ? , there are less passive ways to avoid the open sicillian .

Low theory
Solid Structure
Kingside attacking chances
Sidesteps black main weapons in the Open Sicilian

d3 is very solid. There may be less passive (i.e., more risky) ways to avoid the open sicilian, but that's not really the point of playing d3. Getting Black away from his pet Open Scilian lines is the point. Mission Accomplished.

If you are encountering this, just know that white probably has a surprise or two.

@najdorfplayer48 said [^](/forum/redirect/post/3baABEZv) > Why is the d3 / very delayed d4 white sicillian so popular among beginners ? , there are less passive ways to avoid the open sicillian . Low theory Solid Structure Kingside attacking chances Sidesteps black main weapons in the Open Sicilian d3 is very solid. There may be less passive (i.e., more risky) ways to avoid the open sicilian, but that's not really the point of playing d3. Getting Black away from his pet Open Scilian lines is the point. Mission Accomplished. If you are encountering this, just know that white probably has a surprise or two.