The Kalashnikov variation of the Sicilian Defence arises after the following initial moves:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 (the open Sicilian) cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5!? (instead of 4 ... Nf6 5.Nc3 e5, which is the Sveshnikov variation)
Black’s play is very ambitious, by creating a whole on d5 he tries to keep a firm central control by playing ... e7-e5, hitting the knight and later try to undermine white’s central influence by means of ... f7-f5. The positions arising are very sharp and very complex, even for some experts in that line. Let me show you, whether the analysis provided in this book is sufficient to give you a good start with this opening.
Unfortunately both authors do not mention precisely for whom this book is written. After going through this book it seems to me, as if the aim was to satisfy players rated around 2000, who already know certain things about strategic play, the use of the initiative and a feeling for dynamic positions. Black has to be careful when choosing the Kalashnikov variation (or the Sicilian Defence as a whole) and with the lines given in this book he’ll certainly avoid being crushed in the main lines.
As written in the preface, the GM’s intended to write a book only from Black’s perspective but they switched plans and provided coverage for both, White and Black. They tried to cover many options from both sides and be as objective as one can be, not being biased by their initial intentions.
Content
005 Key to symbols
007 Preface
009 Introduction
011 Chapter 1
6.N1c3 7. ..Be7 - Introduction / 8.Be3 [B32]
023 Chapter 2
6.N1c3 7. ..Be7 - 8.Nd5 [B32]
029 Chapter 3
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 - 8.Nc4 [B32]
061 Chapter 4
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 - Introduction / 8.xxx [B32]
071 Chapter 5
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 - 8. ..Nge7 Introduction / 9.xxx [B32]
083 Chapter 6
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 - 8. ..Nge7 10.cxd5 [B32]
107 Chapter 7
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 8. ..Nge7 10.exd5 11. ..Be7 [B32]
131 Chapter 8
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 8. ..Nge7 10.exd5 11. ..Bd7! [B32]
145 Chapter 9
6.N1c3 7. ..Be6 Introduction / 8.xxx [B32]
157 Chapter 10
6.N1c3 7. ..Be6 8.Nc4 [B32]
173 Chapter 11
6.c4 Introduction / 7.xxx [B32]
183 Chapter 12
6.c4 Introduction / 8. ..f5 [B32]
201 Chapter 13
6.c4 8. ..Be6 [B32]
223 Chapter 14
5.xxx [B33]
237 Chapter 15
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 (the open Sicilian) cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5!? (instead of 4 ... Nf6 5.Nc3 e5, which is the Sveshnikov variation)
Black’s play is very ambitious, by creating a whole on d5 he tries to keep a firm central control by playing ... e7-e5, hitting the knight and later try to undermine white’s central influence by means of ... f7-f5. The positions arising are very sharp and very complex, even for some experts in that line. Let me show you, whether the analysis provided in this book is sufficient to give you a good start with this opening.
Unfortunately both authors do not mention precisely for whom this book is written. After going through this book it seems to me, as if the aim was to satisfy players rated around 2000, who already know certain things about strategic play, the use of the initiative and a feeling for dynamic positions. Black has to be careful when choosing the Kalashnikov variation (or the Sicilian Defence as a whole) and with the lines given in this book he’ll certainly avoid being crushed in the main lines.
As written in the preface, the GM’s intended to write a book only from Black’s perspective but they switched plans and provided coverage for both, White and Black. They tried to cover many options from both sides and be as objective as one can be, not being biased by their initial intentions.
Content
005 Key to symbols
007 Preface
009 Introduction
011 Chapter 1
6.N1c3 7. ..Be7 - Introduction / 8.Be3 [B32]
023 Chapter 2
6.N1c3 7. ..Be7 - 8.Nd5 [B32]
029 Chapter 3
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 - 8.Nc4 [B32]
061 Chapter 4
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 - Introduction / 8.xxx [B32]
071 Chapter 5
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 - 8. ..Nge7 Introduction / 9.xxx [B32]
083 Chapter 6
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 - 8. ..Nge7 10.cxd5 [B32]
107 Chapter 7
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 8. ..Nge7 10.exd5 11. ..Be7 [B32]
131 Chapter 8
6.N1c3 7. ..b5 8. ..Nge7 10.exd5 11. ..Bd7! [B32]
145 Chapter 9
6.N1c3 7. ..Be6 Introduction / 8.xxx [B32]
157 Chapter 10
6.N1c3 7. ..Be6 8.Nc4 [B32]
173 Chapter 11
6.c4 Introduction / 7.xxx [B32]
183 Chapter 12
6.c4 Introduction / 8. ..f5 [B32]
201 Chapter 13
6.c4 8. ..Be6 [B32]
223 Chapter 14
5.xxx [B33]
237 Chapter 15