This book is devoted to one of the main lines of the Sicilian Defence, beginning with the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6.
Strangely enough, this system has not acquired yet a universally acknowledged name. It is worth mentioning that the scheme, which we recommend against the majority of the other Sicilian variations in our books, the set-up Be3-f3-Qd2 would not work against this system, because of quite concrete reasons.
After 6.Be3 Ng4, as well as in case of 6.f3 e5, Black solves his opening problems rather easily.
In the first part of this book, we deal with numerous sidelines, beginning with Black's attempts to avoid the main lines as early as move three. These variations are not so principled in the majority of cases, nevertheless we felt we needed to analyze them. I believe the most interesting variation among them is 6.Bg5 g6. This attempt by Black to build the Dragon set-up has never enjoyed good reputation,
but strangely there never were exact analyses how to deal with it with White and Black had good practical results even at the master level. It seems to me that in this book I have given a thorough analysis proving that White can achieve a considerable advantage.
In the second part of the book we deal with variations arising in cases when after 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2, Black refrains from the almost obligatory move a7-a6 in most of the systems of the Sicilian Defence. This is due to his desire to evacuate his king away from the centre as quickly as possible with 7...Be7 8.0-0-0 0-0. It is worth mentioning that Anand preferred this set-up for Black, but that was mostly in the past millennium. White must play actively in these variations not only in the centre, but on the kingside as well. One of his important resources for this is the pawn-break e4-e5. The game is often forced in these cases and sometimes theory goes up to move thirty. The developments are not so much computer-oriented, as for example in the Dragon variation and you can find out numerous fine points even over the board. Still, I recommend to you to save time and energy and to become well familiar with the contemporary theoretical novelties.
The third part of the book is devoted to the variations beginning with 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6. They were considered for a long time to be the most reliable for Black and in particular the system with 8.0-0-0 h6. He managed to hold his ground even at the highest possible level. At the very end of the past century though, some games of the Israeli chess-players, in which the original idea of Jacob Murey 9.Nxc6!? bxc6 10.Bf4 was tested, reduced drastically the number of players who were willing to continue playing this system with Black. This verdict has stood until today. Both sides have numerous interesting tactical possibilities, but White's trumps are quite convincing. Presently, Black's main lines are considered to be 8...Be7 and 8...Bd7, but his opponent is better in both cases.
