Fighting the Anti Sicilians

FIGHTING THE ANTI-SICILIANS
Author: Richard Palliser
Everyman Chess (2007)
http://www.everymanchess.com/
254 pages
$24.95

Reviewed by John Donaldson

English IM Richard Palliser is a making a name for himself as a conscientious author, and his latest effort, FIGHTING THE ANTI-SICILIANS, should add to his reputation.

As the title implies, this book covers the Sicilian lines where White doesn't play 2.Nf3 -- principally the Open variations (3.d4) and 3.Bb5(+). The main emphasis is on the Closed Sicilian, Grand Prix Attack and 2.c3 but lesser lines like 2.b3, 2.g3, 2.d3, 2.d4, 2.b3, 2.Na3 and 2.b4 are also covered as well as variations starting at move three -- for example after 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 a6 and now 3.g3, 3.f4, 3.Nge2 and 3.Nf3.

One of the things I like about Palliser's books is that they are well researched. He utilizes everything that is available from books to databases to online sources. Having done this Palliser then goes through the material carefully to find out what is useful and then subjects it to close scrutiny -- both his and a team of silicon oracles. The result is some excellent work.

One example of this occurs after 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.dxc5. First I should mention that this is not Palliser's first or second choice against 2.c3, those would be lines with an early ...d5 followed by either ...Bg4 or ...e6. Since the latter can transpose into lines where Black develops both Knights first, Palliser decided to include coverage. White's most challenging response is 6.dxc5 when 6...Qxc5 is known to favor White. Trading Queens (6...Qxd1+ 7.Kxd1) leads to a gambit and after the commonly seen 7...e5 positions arise where it is often hard for Black to show enough compensation. Palliser suggests instead 7...Bf5 followed by ...0-0-0. Black will sometimes follow up with ...e6 or ...g6 instead of ...e5. Palliser's analysis and conclusions are good -- excellent work considering this was not even one of his two main choices!

All those who answer 1.e4 with 1...c5 will want this book.

Click to buy (or get more information about: FIGHTING THE ANTI-SICILIANS

Other books by Palliser:

Bb5 SICILIAN ($22.95)

BEATING UNUSUAL CHESS OPENINGS ($22.95)

COMPLETE CHESS WORKOUT ($27.95)

MODERN BENONI REVEALED ($7.50)

STARTING OUT: CLOSED SICILIAN ($22.00)

STARTING OUT: SICILIAN NAJDORF

STARTING OUT: THE COLLE ($22.95)

DANGEROUS WEAPONS: THE NIMZO-INDIAN ($22.95)

DANGEROUS WEAPONS: THE SICILIAN ($21.95)