tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097781840059992476.post4131860919593256350..comments2023-08-06T03:01:26.305-05:00Comments on Chicago Chess Blog: The risky Katalimov SicilianBill Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14550157556545540714noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097781840059992476.post-52483921503296608252013-09-24T04:18:09.508-05:002013-09-24T04:18:09.508-05:00Yes, "?!" is arguably too harsh. Black p...Yes, "?!" is arguably too harsh. Black played like a moron in the main game, which is certainly not an example of serious play by Black. I mostly gave the game because the way White shredded Black is so beautiful and unusual. (Of course it's also unusual for Black to so blatantly ignore his kingside development.) But contrary to what you say, in most of the other games I cited Black didn't play the b5-b4 pawn-grabbing idea.<br /><br />To my mind (and not only mine, given how rare 2...b6 is), the move doesn't make much sense. Why not play one of the many Sicilian lines with ...a6 instead, thus giving yourself the option of ...b5? Incidentally, it's striking looking at the position after 2.Nf3 with an engine. They tend to give White a modest edge after the main moves (2...d6, 2...Nc6, 2...e6), and a much larger advantage after 2...b6.Frederick Rhinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11728232939607408071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2097781840059992476.post-23583666684778022382013-09-23T19:31:10.490-05:002013-09-23T19:31:10.490-05:00Don't you think ?! is a little harsh? All the ...Don't you think ?! is a little harsh? All the sub-variations you show where Black is getting crushed feature this clearly incorrect ..b6-b5-b4 concept trying to win material before Black is developed. (Although I'll grant the Rxg7! move in the main game is quite nice)<br /><br />6...e6 7.O-O Qc7 8.Bb3 Nf6 is key. Black can develop his pieces leaving the d7-e6-f7 triangle intact. Otherwise the setups with Bc4 are indeed dangerous - Black is trying to set up a hedgehog which he can't do if he has to concern himself with a sac on e6.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00704670187177665661noreply@blogger.com