Opening repertoire: Beating the Sicilian main lines

The Sicilian Defence is the most popular answer to 1. e4. With 1. .What. c5 black comes out fighting, immediately challenging any sense of white's natural advantage. The players of the Sicilian Defence are usually very well prepared theoretically and the tremendous dynamism of the Sicilian can often upset their opponents. The backbone of the repertoire is the line 1.e4 c5 2.Cf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cxd4 Cf6 5.f3!? This is a perfect line to deflect players from Najdorf and Dragon. White will (usually) continue with c2-c4 and establish a useful space advantage. Many of the other recommended lines are also based on the c2-c4 progression which gains space and provides cohesion throughout the repertoire.

In Opening Repertoire: Beating the Sicilian, Jonas Hacker guides the reader through the intricacies of Sicilian and elaborates a repertoire for the whites. It examines all aspects of this highly complex opening and provides the reader with a well-researched, fresh and innovative analysis. Each scored game has valuable lessons on how to play the opening and contains instructive comments on typical half-game plans.

A full repertoire for the white against the Sicilian.

A question-and-answer approach provides an excellent study method.

Jonas Hacker is a German FIDE master. He has more than five years of teaching experience and is a professional chess coach.