How do I counter the Sicilian Defence?

Question

Everytime I'm up against black even pretty poor opponents use it against me and it definitely takes me out of my comfort zone.

What would you suggest as an easy way of adapting to this and bear in mind I'm usually up against players who just move the pawn without knowing the depth of all the possibilities the opening has to offer.

Answer 1

There are hundreds of books on the Chess Openings.  Study any of them.

Anyway, for White against the Sicilian, I suggest (and play) that you mobilize your men, castle Queen's - side, and attact the enemy's King side!

This will give you a reputation as a dashing, agressive player, but you will lose a lot of games.

I say -- go for the reputation!

Answer 2

As a player that loves to play the Sicilian as black.  I would say that your best recourse is to study up on the Sicilian and learn as much about as possible.  

It takes you out of your "comfort zone" because you're not familiar with the defense and how to play against it.  

Remember...you have the white pieces, you have the advantage.  When i didn't like to play against the Sicilian i would always play C4 as white.

Answer 3

in chess, look to control as many of the 4 central squares as possible (pawns, knights, bishops, etc) It make them go wide for any attack meaning more moves to go forward.

Answer 4

If your opponents are just putting the pawn there without coming up with a queen side push as black, you have nothing to worry about.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 (I don't know which variation they would play??) 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 and then indeed, complete your setup with something like Nc3, Be2 and Be3 Qd2 and castle queen side and go all out on the kingside. Against an inexperienced player this will probably get you there.

However, you don't have to play the open Sicilian and you don't have to castle queenside if you don't want to.

A valid alternative is:

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 Leading to a grand prix attack type position. You just castle king side and when the time is right, you use the e4 or f4 pawn for a sudden stab to open up his position. You can also play 2.f4 right away, but you don't know if black intends 2...d5. Maybe you won't mind that, it's your call.

Finally, you can also try to throw your opponent off with some gambit, however, I would not play b4...but 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3..the Morra gambit. White has a lead in development and black is struggling to even move his centre pawns without one being taken, if he makes even the slightest mistake...

Good luck. Studying the open Sicilians takes a lot of time, but the games will be more interesting.

Answer 5

e4 c5,b4 cb,a3 ba,Bc1xa3,position of other white's pieces are as follow,Ng1f3,Nb1d2,Bf1d3,d2d4,c2c3,Qc2,c... king side,both rooks on a1 and b1 controlling a and b file,with squares c5 d5 e5 f5 controlled by the 2 center pawns.Called the wing gambit of the sicilian defence.Grandmaster out of denmark played it alot.Think his last was larson?