Confront the Sicilian on Your Own Terms!
In 1982, the late Ken Smiths publishing house Chess Digest published the first edition of Andy Soltis small monograph Beating the Sicilian, The Chameleon Variation. It was well received and a second edition came out in 1990. It proposed a very flexible way for White to handle the Sicilian Defense using the move order 1.e4, 2.Nc3 and 3.Nge2. It kept most of Whites options open and allowed White to lure Black into unfamiliar territory.
The Sicilian jungle is vast. Unless you have a massive amount of time on your hands, it is an exhausting task to keep a sharp opening repertoire together against Blacks numerous possibilities. It does not mean that it is impossible, nor does it mean that you shouldnt do it. But for the average player with an average amount of time available for chess studies, it is important to pick the right battles. This is where our weapon, the Chameleon Sicilian, comes in handy.
Would you be interested in possibly tricking Black into playing something he would otherwise not be inclined to play? Thats where the Chameleon is useful!
Aside from its flexibility, the greatest strength of this opening is that it is so relatively unexplored. For some of the sub-variations, the author has used most of the master games that he could find; for other lines, only the most relevant games. In any case, there are plenty of opportunities to explore further and find ideas of your own. This is fertile ground and your seeds could well sprout to become new branches of theory.
Danish FIDE Master and FIDE Trainer, Carsten Hansen is a recognized opening specialist who has authored numerous books on all phases of the royal game. His recent books cover the Sicilian Najdorf, the Queens Indian Defense and the main line Ruy Lopez.
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest new in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. 1.e4 openings - Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Bg5 - Ponomariov - Sicilian Defence - Accelerated Dragon 5.c4 - Gutman - Sicilian Defence - Fo
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest new in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. Magnus Carlsen's openings, a special report by Jan Timman 1.e4 openings - Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Bg5 - Adorjan/Vegh - Sicilian Defenc
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest new in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. 1.e4 openings - Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Bg5 - Ponomariov - Sicilian Defence - Accelerated Dragon 5.c4 - Gutman - Sicilian Defence - Fo
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest new in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. Magnus Carlsen's openings, a special report by Jan Timman 1.e4 openings - Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Bg5 - Adorjan/Vegh - Sicilian Defenc
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest new in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. 1.e4 openings - Sicilian Defence - Early Divergences 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 - Fogarasi - Sicilian Defence - Moscow Variation 3...Nd7 - Pijpers - Sicilian Def
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest new in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. 1.e4 openings - Sicilian Defence - Early Divergences 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 - Fogarasi - Sicilian Defence - Moscow Variation 3...Nd7 - Pijpers - Sicilian Def
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest new in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. 1.e4 openings - Sicilian Defence - Moscow Variation 3...Nd7 - Szabo - Sicilian Defence - Dragon Variation 10.Bb3 - Adorjan/Vegh - Sicilian Defence -
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. There are columns by former US Champion Joel Benjamin and Russian Grandmaster Alexey Kuzmin, who used to coach World Champion Anatoly Karpov, while Englis
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. 1.e4 openings Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Bg5 - Olthof Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Be3 - Timman Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. There are columns by former US Champion Joel Benjamin and Russian Grandmaster Alexey Kuzmin, who used to coach World Champion Anatoly Karpov, while Englis
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest new in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. Magnus Carlsen's openings, a special report by Jan Timman 1.e4 openings - Sicilian Defence - Moscow Variation 3...Nd7 - Szabo - Sicilian Defence - Dr
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. 1.e4 openings Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Bg5 - Olthof Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Be3 - Timman Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation
New In Chess Yearbook, which appears four times a year, contains the latest news in chess openings. Each issue brings you dozens of new ideas on the cutting edge of modern chess opening theory. The Yearbook not only covers the latest fashions, but also offers fresh insights into underrated gambits, rare continuations, and almost forgotten weapons. 1.e4 openings - Sicilian Defence - Najdorf Variation 6.Be3 - Bok - Sicilian Defence - Accelerated Dragon 8...d5 - Ca. Hansen - Sicilian Defence -
Forum The Forum Section features new theoretical contributions by, among others, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Evegni Najer, Karsten Müller, Frank Erwich and A.C. van der Tak. Columns In his column Repertoire Building with Benjamin, the American GM continues his treatment of the highly important position type with an isolated queens pawn. In Kuzmins Harvest, Alexey Kuzmin explains Vladimir Kramniks Opening Philosophy. Reviews Glenn Flear reviews three new books: Bologan's Ruy Lopez for Black (New In Chess
Forum The Forum Section features new theoretical contributions by, among others, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Evegni Najer, Karsten Müller, Frank Erwich and A.C. van der Tak. Columns In his column Repertoire Building with Benjamin, the American GM continues his treatment of the highly important position type with an isolated queens pawn. In Kuzmins Harvest, Alexey Kuzmin explains Vladimir Kramniks Opening Philosophy. Reviews Glenn Flear reviews three new books: Bologan's Ruy Lopez for Black (New In Chess