The best sicilian variation for me is the variation i understand the most: accelerated sicilian dragon. I tried other variations but it doesn't just fit my taste so i kept coming back to the accelerated dragon. The resulting pawn structure is somewhat comfortable with me even the maroczy bind. Again, its a matter of taste
What do you think is the best Sicilian variation for black?
like #2, the best variation for me is the variation i understand the most: Najdorf. I've played the Dragon and Sveshnikov a lot before switching and got good positions out of the opening a lot. Even if you forget a couple of theoretical moves, once you understand the idea of the piece layout in the Najdorf,how you should attack and make use of the open c-file, it'll be easy.
![blunderbro](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/16965644.9f008780.50x50o.b93ddccf4f7a.gif)
Hey, just give me a call and I can talk to you about the Sicilian a bit but:
Accelerated Sicilian Dragon is the best for traps but can end in a scenario where you and your opponent are both in positions where you can easily lose or win.
Najdorf: This one is traditional you get a decent position but pretty vanilla.
My favorite however is:
Pelikan: In the Pelikan variation you have a couple of traps I can explain it you over the phone if you want but yeah.
![kaspariano](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/29276.93fe6093.50x50o.aa4b63c5629d.jpeg)
I play the lowenthal, not because is the best variation of the sicilian, but because it can be tricky if my opponent doesn't know it well enough to make good moves against it. You have to also know the anti-sicilians
![Colingohmann98](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/34384884.961b5a20.50x50o.3581deaeb00c.jpeg)
I personally like the accelerated dragon and that's gotten me to high 1700's uscf. Some don't like it because of the moroczy bind but as long as you study it well and know the variations it's not so bad.
gon
![blueemu](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/8388144.f0278322.50x50o.1f893a3b7dae.jpeg)
Najdorf. Although you need to know how to play defense.
https://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-showcase/a-heroic-defense-in-the-sicilian-najdorf-kids-dont-try-this-at-home
![FrogCDE](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/10055216.c69f3bdc.50x50o.cb31a3b59adf.jpg)
I like the O'Kelly. Very effective if White continues with 3.d4, but quite OK against the recommended 3.c3, at least below 2000-level.
![StinkingHyena](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/18629094.9f0626f2.50x50o.00ffe77c28e8.jpeg)
I play the lowenthal, not because is the best variation of the sicilian, but because it can be tricky if my opponent doesn't know it well enough to make good moves against it. You have to also know the anti-sicilians
Ahhh you cheeser, I play that too for the same reason! The number of times White has made it all the way h4 for the advantage, in otb and online...exactly once. They always get lost in the lines. Do you ever play an early d5 instead of qf6? Both are pretty nasty.
![Alltheusernamestaken](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/38616804.f4b835a1.50x50o.1f7f8b379735.jpeg)
There are many Sicilian variations, but which is your favorite and/or the one you think is the best for black, and why?
Not playing them at all
![StinkingHyena](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/18629094.9f0626f2.50x50o.00ffe77c28e8.jpeg)
I assume he is threatening Nd6 and you dont have Qf6 like in a e5 sicilian. But after black plays d6 what does he play? He doesnt have c4 available anymore to clamp down on d5 or help with a queenside majority and after something like 6...d6 7 Be3 a6 8 Na3 b5 black is looking pretty healthy?
![TwoMove](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/1370936.d3661564.50x50o.0002948c49bb.jpeg)
6...d6 7Bf4 e5 8Bg5 transposes to a sveshnikov sicilian. The only drawback to that move-order is white can play 6NxN pxN 7e5 but thats probably ok for black too.
I assume he is threatening Nd6 and you dont have Qf6 like in a e5 sicilian. But after black plays d6 what does he play? He doesnt have c4 available anymore to clamp down on d5 or help with a queenside majority and after something like 6...d6 7 Be3 a6 8 Na3 b5 black is looking pretty healthy?
White's idea is to transpose into the sveshnikov sicilian with 7. Bf4 threatening the pawn on d6 which basically forces black to play e5 and after Bg5 we transposed into the sveshnikov with an additional move played. The positions are very complex and you definitely have to know your stuff here but I never encountered it in my games so far.
I think the reason is that only strong players would prepare specific lines against the sicilian. The rest of the players stick to normal moves which is good for me
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There are many Sicilian variations, but which is your favorite and/or the one you think is the best for black, and why?