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This next game is another look at the Fischer-Sozin variation with …a6 and …b5 of the Sicilian Defense played by Bruci Lopez at the USAT Playoffs. This time his opponent, FM Robby Adamson puts up a stronger showing, but still comes up short. Lopez plays virtually the same first sixteen moves for white and again demonstrates how white can build up and develop an attack against this Sicilian setup. In this game note how Black stays very cramped up and is never really able to utilize the space gained on the queenside. In both games one can see how black can never utilize the imbalances in the position for his benefit. The half open c-file is a moot point, and the space gained on the queenside did not disrupt white’s plans at all.
I think Chess Life is correct in that these games rightfully may draw some renewed interest in the Bc4 responses by white to the Najdorf Sicilian Defense. I plan on exploring some alternative ways for Black to play this position and would love to get any comment or feedback you have on this opening. Enjoy!
2 Comments
The July edition of Chess Life has some great coverage of the USAT Playoffs this month. A few games in particular struck my eye as excellent illustrations of how to the play the Fischer-Sozin (B87) variation of the Sicilian Defense. The games I want to analyze are by FM Bruci Lopez (2455), the strongest player in the playoffs. Lopez plays this opening twice with White and both times provides a textbook illustration of how White should use the initiative to build up an attack. Chess Life comments on Lopez’s success, “This game might attract new adherents to the Bc4 systems.”
This statement proves very interesting and has prompted my interest in this opening. According to Chessgames.com this version of the Sicilian Defense has waned in popularity since the 70’s. Lopez’s results are fairly impressive given the overall record for this opening:
White wins 34.2%
Black wins 36.0%
Draws 29.8%
2 Comments
The Sicilian Defense variations can be classified as being either open or closed systems. The open lines occur after the moves 2. Nf3 and 3. d4 by white. These three moves result in the c – file opening for black and the d – file for white after the ensuing pawn exchange. These open positions are often rather unbalanced and therefore result in extremely complex middlegames.
The Classical variation of the open Sicilian Defense is recognized by the move 5…Nc6 after the set-up: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 (which can be reached with multiple move orders). With this move Black delays any decision on the development of his dark bishop and brings his knight out to its most natural square.
In this position white has a number of ideas available. The common continuation is the Richter-Rauzer Attack where white plays 6. Bg5. This aggressive move prevents Black from the playing for the Dragon set-up with g7 by forcing Black to respond to the potential capture BxN. Black can respond with the simple 6…e6 which strengthens his center, prevents the immediate doubling of pawns, and makes the e7 square available for his dark bishop. White can continue with Qd2 and then 0-0-0. This plan, introduced by Vsevolod Rauzer, exerts tremendous pressure by White on the half open D-file. This pressure usually forces Black to double pawns on the f-file after BxN because of White’s pressure on the backward d-pawn. The resultant position after this exchange would still be fairly even with each side having different advantages. Black has retained both bishops but will need to figure out how to get them both in the action. White on the other hand has forced Black to double pawns and will often play f4 in an attempt to figure out a way to further weaken Black’s pawn structure.