Thank you for the very kind words! I'm really glad you are enjoying the videos. I played (and also studied) very frequently over the last few years but I'm slowing down this year in order to work on this site. What about you? -Dereque
The Sicilian is a highly "theoretical" opening in it's main lines, in which many players commit a lot of moves to memory due to the sharp nature of the positions. This means that in certain cases you can lose right out of the opening simply because you haven't memorized something. While I think people way overestimate the chances of this happening, many players like to play simpler systems with less published analysis. The c3 Sicilian is one way to do this. -Dereque
You explain like a true strategist. Most other Chess videos will do well in bringing up the typical moves and responses, and show a few moves into each line to see what happens, but they fail to explain the big picture strategy behind them. That is why I love your videos, they help me to understand the purpose behind the openings and main lines, so if an opponent responds differently than expected, I'm still able to keep the main objective in mind and intuitively play along. This I think is far more effective and fun than simply memorizing each and every possible move without even knowing why those moves are played.
After deciding to take a look at the c3 Sicilian, I ran a search and found your video. This line is so well explained here...I learned alot. Thank you very much. Mart.
Im getting back into chess again and this is definitely the go to site.No boring preamble and cuts to the chase.Well presented by a cheery soul who knows his stuff!!
Yes! The Alapin is also a name for this variation. Most books these days are going by "c3 Sicilian" and I kind of like the sound of that, so I stick with that. Thank you for the encouragment and kind words! -Dereque
Your videos are very well made, you explaing things clearly and your videos are direct to the point and very informative and detailed, so thanks and keep it up !
just flattering you again.! Today when i woke up i played on chess free level 9 which equates to about 1700 elo., in professional mode, so no take backs of any kind. 27 moves later the computer resigned. There is no way i could have done that a year ago, and this journey i took was guided very much by your videos. You have a natural talent , dont let it go to waste. Ooo and teach me more hehe.
I watched this video a few months ago and thought it was good. Recently, I nearly got crushed as black against this 2.c3 variation of the Sicilian and spent 25+ moves defending until finally I got some relief and won the game. Now, I see this video again and I'm baffled at how deep the theory goes and how I could have better prepared for 2.c3. Thanks again for an awesome instructional chess video!
(1/2) Interesting question. You're right about blocking the pawn and the queen's vulnerability on e6, yet 9...Be6 looks like the best move when compared to the alternatives (in the database) 9...Bf5 and 9...e6. After both 9...Bf5 10.Nxd4! Nxd4 11.cxd4 e6 12.Nc3 Be7 13.Qf3! generally flowed by a rapid d4-d5 and 9...e6 (blocking the light-squared bishop) 10.cxd4 Be7 11.Nc3 O-O 12.Ne4 or 12.a3, White does quite well though such positions are tricky.
I was hoping all shift that when I got home there'd be a Dereque Kelley video on the Sicillian w/ c3. An excellent night cap with a mug of hot chocolate . . . thanks!
I just discovered your videos and I really like them a lot. They are great summaries of opening themes, pitched at a very consistent and appropriate level for someone studying chess openings. I used to wonder why White is so eager to play d4 in the Sicilian, giving up a central pawn for a flank pawn, and now I understand much better. Thank you very much.
It is an interesting idea! But rare. In particular by moving both the c- and e- pawns early like this, Black has to be careful of the weakened light-squares and the hole on d5. In those games where 2...e5!?/?! was tried White generally continued 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.Bc4. The position is slightly better for White as he often has Ng5 hanging in the air or can rely on more positional play with a plan like O-O, d3, Nbd2, Re1, Nf1-e3. It still seems quite interesting though!
Thank you for the kind remarks. I'd play the same way as in most of the vids! Get my pawns mobile, especially in the center. Bring my pieces out, and start causing problems. And sometimes pay attention to what the opponent is doing :-) How else can you play?
Thanks so much!! I'm glad you find the videos confidence-inspiring :) I have a lot of hopes for future stuff, but for along time I hope to keep it centered on the openings. -Dereque
Another great video. Thanks for sharing all this knowledge, Dereque. You are the first person I go to for instruction on an opening and I know I'm not the only one!
just to sacrifice and make the king out of step! 15:01 the Bishop takes f7 check!, king x f7, then pd4 to d5 check, knight takes d5, Knight g5 check, k to d7, Q takes d5.
2. ... e6 is also very popular, turns into a similar French exchange 3. d4 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. 0-0 Ne7 9. Nbd2 0-0 10. Nb3 Bb6(or Bd6) ...etc, with black having the IQP, trying to maintain equality -Steven B.
Your video's are amazing; you explain the positions well and have really given me a lot of (perhaps mistaken!!!) confidence. Will you be going on from openings? I hope so. You're a fantastic teacher - thanks for taking the time to make these videos.
Thats true.. I think they're good surprise openings at the below 2000 level. I understand them fairly well but, I'd like to hear your opinion of them :).
I have seen your videos too and love them! I was looking for a tutorial for openings and this was just right. Had a request for you though - could you take it one level up? Basically, could you come up with some generic rules for openings (eg. Take control of the center, place pawns in the center, develop your pieces early, ...) and show how these openings align with that central "opening" theme?
Thanks so much Dereque! :D These videos are a blessing. Btw, I had to laugh when, at around 8:30, the subtitles say "white has already consumed a temple"
GM Finegold did a video on chess.com showing two games where he plays Nf3 on move two before playing c3. Then after black plays d6 and Nf6 attacking e4 white just plays Be2 hoping black captures the enprise pawn on e4. When white plays Qa4 check winning the pawn. Whatdo you say about making a video in this line? Love your videos Dereque!
Dereque, please explain me the problem of central majority. I'm struggling to find an answer but i cant find it. I don't understand where is the power of 2-1 central majority. flank pawns can also attack central squares. also, you aren't talking about any possibilities of white getting 2 to 1 central majority in queen's gambit declined where white can capture the black's D pawn with white's C pawn. Same goes for grunfeld. Guess for some reason, in those 2 openings that doesn't take place in anything. Explain
VidyVid Honestly, the best explanations of this problem are given in our apps on Carlsbad and ...Be7 available for IPhone and Android (in my opinion). Particularly in the ...Be7 QGD app, this problem is looked at from many angles. Of course the situation is a bit complex :) This is why I think studying specific openings where the given strategic factor is important are the simplest way of learning about that particular strategic factor.
The idea is after cxd4 the c-file is open and particularly the c3 square is available for Nc3 with tempo on the queen, so White is playing for an initiative. If he simply plays, for exchanges of material the position will be very close to equality, yielding White no real positive imbalances to work with :) Thank you for the question! :)
I've watched pretty much all your videos and they're awesome (you're a great teacher) but how would you play against say a total novice who doesn't play according to an opening move ?
Dereque! Do you know some games about 3:34' s variation? This is a playable game for white? For black? What do you think about 5. ...- e7-e5 move in this setup? Thats all! :) Wait your answer if you have a lot of time, István.
That looks EXTRA SHAKY ... Perhaps 6.Nc3 Qxd4 7.Qxd4 exd4 8.Nb5 with great awkwardness for Black in preventing Nc7+ but come to think of it there's 8...Bb4+ in that position, so I'd have to think about this one, but Black should not be playing in this way, me thinks... sorry I dont' have an answer at this time! :)
Can you make a video on how to attack against an "opening" where black places his pawns as a3 b4 c3 d4 e3 f4 g3 h4? I know this isn't a real opening, but I can't find many flaws.
yea the difference in the moves is still marginal though. I saw Ba6 but figured it wouldnt be played to avoid whites pawn sac push to e6 after the bishop moves. but looking at it now it still looks ugly for white. all of what you said is more sound though, thanks for the correction
You are a great chess explainer and perhaps one of the best teacher of chess I have ever seen
Excellent, these are very kind words I very much appreciate it!!! :)
Thank you for the very kind words! I'm really glad you are enjoying the videos. I played (and also studied) very frequently over the last few years but I'm slowing down this year in order to work on this site. What about you? -Dereque
The Sicilian is a highly "theoretical" opening in it's main lines, in which many players commit a lot of moves to memory due to the sharp nature of the positions. This means that in certain cases you can lose right out of the opening simply because you haven't memorized something. While I think people way overestimate the chances of this happening, many players like to play simpler systems with less published analysis. The c3 Sicilian is one way to do this. -Dereque
You explain like a true strategist. Most other Chess videos will do well in bringing up the typical moves and responses, and show a few moves into each line to see what happens, but they fail to explain the big picture strategy behind them. That is why I love your videos, they help me to understand the purpose behind the openings and main lines, so if an opponent responds differently than expected, I'm still able to keep the main objective in mind and intuitively play along. This I think is far more effective and fun than simply memorizing each and every possible move without even knowing why those moves are played.
After deciding to take a look at the c3 Sicilian, I ran a search and found your video. This line is so well explained here...I learned alot. Thank you very much.
Mart.
Another wonderful explanation of a chess opening -- thank you, Dereque!
+Dan O'Hanlon Thank you! :)
I'm aiming to do this very soon :) Thank you for the feedback! -Dereque
Im getting back into chess again and this is definitely the go to site.No boring preamble and cuts to the chase.Well presented by a cheery soul who knows his stuff!!
:)
Welcome!
Yes! The Alapin is also a name for this variation. Most books these days are going by "c3 Sicilian" and I kind of like the sound of that, so I stick with that. Thank you for the encouragment and kind words! -Dereque
Yes! Though "c3 Sicilian" should also suffice? There is a book by John Emms (I believe) which goes by the name "c3 Sicilian" as well.
Your videos are very well made, you explaing things clearly and your videos are direct to the point and very informative and detailed, so thanks and keep it up !
Thank you! :)
just flattering you again.! Today when i woke up i played on chess free level 9 which equates to about 1700 elo., in professional mode, so no take backs of any kind. 27 moves later the computer resigned. There is no way i could have done that a year ago, and this journey i took was guided very much by your videos. You have a natural talent , dont let it go to waste. Ooo and teach me more hehe.
nanowarrior01 :) Good work, congratulations on your achievement!
I watched this video a few months ago and thought it was good. Recently, I nearly got crushed as black against this 2.c3 variation of the Sicilian and spent 25+ moves defending until finally I got some relief and won the game. Now, I see this video again and I'm baffled at how deep the theory goes and how I could have better prepared for 2.c3. Thanks again for an awesome instructional chess video!
You bet, thanks so much and good luck! Thank you for participating on the channel and for watching our videos!! :) :)
(1/2) Interesting question. You're right about blocking the pawn and the queen's vulnerability on e6, yet 9...Be6 looks like the best move when compared to the alternatives (in the database) 9...Bf5 and 9...e6. After both 9...Bf5 10.Nxd4! Nxd4 11.cxd4 e6 12.Nc3 Be7 13.Qf3! generally flowed by a rapid d4-d5 and 9...e6 (blocking the light-squared bishop) 10.cxd4 Be7 11.Nc3 O-O 12.Ne4 or 12.a3, White does quite well though such positions are tricky.
Thanks for the kind words. And thanks for the suggestion!...maybe one day :-)
Great job explaining I used this c-3 Sicilian today and put a hurting my. Fellow chess buddies Love it
Capt Jim Mitchell :)) sweet~!
I was hoping all shift that when I got home there'd be a Dereque Kelley video on the Sicillian w/ c3. An excellent night cap with a mug of hot chocolate . . . thanks!
Excellent! :) :)
Excellent tutorial, thank you.
I just discovered your videos and I really like them a lot. They are great summaries of opening themes, pitched at a very consistent and appropriate level for someone studying chess openings. I used to wonder why White is so eager to play d4 in the Sicilian, giving up a central pawn for a flank pawn, and now I understand much better. Thank you very much.
It is an interesting idea! But rare. In particular by moving both the c- and e- pawns early like this, Black has to be careful of the weakened light-squares and the hole on d5. In those games where 2...e5!?/?! was tried White generally continued 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.Bc4. The position is slightly better for White as he often has Ng5 hanging in the air or can rely on more positional play with a plan like O-O, d3, Nbd2, Re1, Nf1-e3. It still seems quite interesting though!
I really love your clear explanations. So clear and straightforward!
Glad you are enjoying the videos, thank you!
Is this the Alapin Variation?
No alapin is e4 e5 Ne2
Yes Siciclian Alpin Varition
Very informative video, thank you !
You bet, thank you! :)
Thank you for the kind remarks. I'd play the same way as in most of the vids! Get my pawns mobile, especially in the center. Bring my pieces out, and start causing problems. And sometimes pay attention to what the opponent is doing :-) How else can you play?
So this is how to tackle this of opening in the Sicilian. Thank you for clearing it up for us and keep up the good work!
Thanks so much!! I'm glad you find the videos confidence-inspiring :) I have a lot of hopes for future stuff, but for along time I hope to keep it centered on the openings. -Dereque
Another great video. Thanks for sharing all this knowledge, Dereque. You are the first person I go to for instruction on an opening and I know I'm not the only one!
Happy to hear you're enjoying the videos :) Thank you!
Glad you are finding the videos helpful, thank you!
Thanks. Would love to see some example full annotated games though that would certainly take more time.
Very instructional videos. Please continue to make more! I would love to hear how you explain the Middle Game...
Sure thing :) It's great to hear about your efforts! Thank you again -Dereque
One of your most instructional videos. Thank you.
Thank you for the encouraging words!
Thank you!! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos :)
Very instructive video. Also, I like his teaching style. Easy to understand.
just to sacrifice and make the king out of step! 15:01 the Bishop takes f7 check!, king x f7, then pd4 to d5 check, knight takes d5, Knight g5 check, k to d7, Q takes d5.
fereque kelley thank you sir for you breif explanation you ideas are great
Abdul nabi sk Thank you!
thank you for this, you have some of the best chess vids on youtube
Thank you! :)
Hey man, your lessons in openings are all amazing, thank you so much!
Thank you, very kind to hear!! :)
Noted! Thank you for the suggestion :)
Those are some great suggestions! In particular the Dragon Variation should be great fun. Noted :) -Dereque
Really good videos. With watching uncommented games or sth. you just get the lines, not the plans. Your videos help me, thank you very much! :)
2. ... e6 is also very popular, turns into a similar French exchange 3. d4 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. 0-0 Ne7 9. Nbd2 0-0 10. Nb3 Bb6(or Bd6) ...etc, with black having the IQP, trying to maintain equality
-Steven B.
Your video's are amazing; you explain the positions well and have really given me a lot of (perhaps mistaken!!!) confidence. Will you be going on from openings? I hope so. You're a fantastic teacher - thanks for taking the time to make these videos.
Dereque I love your smile! Great and instructive lessons.
+Joseph Cho Thank you very much!! :)
Thats true.. I think they're good surprise openings at the below 2000 level. I understand them fairly well but, I'd like to hear your opinion of them :).
Yes.......please.......do middle games too.
Love your vids.
Thanks for all your work.
These are very complicated openings to describe since they are so flexible! I'd have to think this one through really carefully ... :)
I have seen your videos too and love them! I was looking for a tutorial for openings and this was just right.
Had a request for you though - could you take it one level up? Basically, could you come up with some generic rules for openings (eg. Take control of the center, place pawns in the center, develop your pieces early, ...) and show how these openings align with that central "opening" theme?
(2/2) It's tough to say, but the results and popularity really lean toward 9...Be6.
Love your videos. I think I'm going to watch all of them. Thanks a lot.
Thanks so much Dereque! :D These videos are a blessing. Btw, I had to laugh when, at around 8:30, the subtitles say "white has already consumed a temple"
Hehehe :-) Glad you enjoy the videos!
Thank you! I don't see any reason why it would not be suitable to anyone including 1000 to 1500
This could be quite interesting at some point :) I'm glad you are finding the videos helpful!
@JeanAlesiagain3 Thank you! :)
Great vids!
Thanks for your chess contribution
Please do middle and end games!:) I love this video! Great work
I'm not sure I understand the question? Thank you!
This is great news! I'm glad the video was so helpful for you! Keep up the good work
Very good explanation. Thanks
Thank you
Good for both sides!
just won a game with this opening against an opponent who was 150 points above me. without you. no chance. thanks
I love this site. Awesome.
This site loves you! Thank you :)
THANKS SOOOOO MUCH, Going to all-ontraio's soon and i needed a good defence for black
You bet, thank you for writing!! :)
At 14:37 can white not play Qd2 pinning the black knight to the queen and capture it next turn without losing a pawn?
@Leonard Blackburn: Great! You're welcome :)
U are a really great teacher! :) is this opening suitable to play people rated 1000 to 1500
GM Finegold did a video on chess.com showing two games where he plays Nf3 on move two before playing c3. Then after black plays d6 and Nf6 attacking e4 white just plays Be2 hoping black captures the enprise pawn on e4. When white plays Qa4 check winning the pawn. Whatdo you say about making a video in this line? Love your videos Dereque!
Great suggestion and I hope I can revisit it, thank you very much! :)
Welcome!
You're welcome, thank you!
What do you mean when you say "avoids a lot of theory"?
Dereque, please explain me the problem of central majority. I'm struggling to find an answer but i cant find it. I don't understand where is the power of 2-1 central majority. flank pawns can also attack central squares. also, you aren't talking about any possibilities of white getting 2 to 1 central majority in queen's gambit declined where white can capture the black's D pawn with white's C pawn. Same goes for grunfeld. Guess for some reason, in those 2 openings that doesn't take place in anything. Explain
VidyVid Honestly, the best explanations of this problem are given in our apps on Carlsbad and ...Be7 available for IPhone and Android (in my opinion). Particularly in the ...Be7 QGD app, this problem is looked at from many angles. Of course the situation is a bit complex :) This is why I think studying specific openings where the given strategic factor is important are the simplest way of learning about that particular strategic factor.
You're welcome!
What happens if 1.e4 c5 2. c3 e5?
at 6:04, is it possible to retake the d4 pawn with the knight and avoid the isolated pawn?
Nxd4 Bxe2 Nxe2 or
Nxd4 Nxd4 Bxd4 Bf5
The idea is after cxd4 the c-file is open and particularly the c3 square is available for Nc3 with tempo on the queen, so White is playing for an initiative. If he simply plays, for exchanges of material the position will be very close to equality, yielding White no real positive imbalances to work with :) Thank you for the question! :)
Thank you!
Youre awesome and your videos are great! Thanks!
DrillnKill :)
Great videos. It's unfortunate but I find that people rarely play as elegantly as you . Most of my opponents are often very aggressive.
Thank you, I appreciate this kind remark! :)
Thanks!
Great!
So basically your giving up the queens pawn for attacking like a gambit right?
At which stage of the video Sathvick? :) Love the name!
Hey Dereque, could you please do a video on the Kan/Taimanov Sicilian? I'd appreciate it a lot. Thanks!
I've watched pretty much all your videos and they're awesome (you're a great teacher) but how would you play against say a total novice who doesn't play according to an opening move ?
I can't wait to play this line against an opponent who doesn't know it so well lol... especially after the queen's pawn situation
Thanks for the well made video.
You bet!
Dereque! Do you know some games about 3:34' s variation? This is a playable game for white? For black? What do you think about 5. ...- e7-e5 move in this setup? Thats all! :) Wait your answer if you have a lot of time, István.
That looks EXTRA SHAKY ... Perhaps 6.Nc3 Qxd4 7.Qxd4 exd4 8.Nb5 with great awkwardness for Black in preventing Nc7+ but come to think of it there's 8...Bb4+ in that position, so I'd have to think about this one, but Black should not be playing in this way, me thinks... sorry I dont' have an answer at this time! :)
Can you make a video on how to attack against an "opening" where black places his pawns as a3 b4 c3 d4 e3 f4 g3 h4? I know this isn't a real opening, but I can't find many flaws.
+Yubin Lee Very interesting! Do you mean a6, b5, c6, d5, e6, f5, g6, h5? The dark squares sure look very weak in such a situation!
Just in case it hasn't been mentioned, at 14:37 Qd2 is better then the pawn taking on c3.
thx for the video. the c3 Sicilian is working well for me so far.
It saves a pawn period. I don't have an engine on this computer but I'd be blown away if Qd2 isn't better. How can it be better?
wow you were right.
yea the difference in the moves is still marginal though. I saw Ba6 but figured it wouldnt be played to avoid whites pawn sac push to e6 after the bishop moves. but looking at it now it still looks ugly for white. all of what you said is more sound though, thanks for the correction
Interesting!
You bet! :)
At 5.35 why isn't c4 a good move for white?
+Bastiaan Gresnigt ...Qxd4 :)
isn`t this called the alapin variation of the sicilian.. anyways, great vid keep up the good work
at 14:14 why not move Bishop to D2 protecting the rook, and attacking queen at the same time?
Then black's queen simply takes the bishop on b5.
What he said :)
damn if our internet is fast ill watch all of your video.but it our internet slow right now sorry hope you upload more video
Dreque kelley : u r the amazing teacher::::))))))Why not u update some tactics, endgame video like this???? But u r best :)).
could you make a video on how to play AGAINST the Marshall attack?
I'm not sure what opening you're talking about with the Marshall Attack? Ruy Lopez? It is a good suggestion, thank you
Instructive sicilian... Very interesting line. Also, the slip of the tongue ("feces" instead of "pieces"at 12 :48 made me laugh.
nice video as usual!
Kamel Guellil u did not end your brackets
well explained, thanks!
Thank you!
Dereque I noticed the caption covered the chess pieces
Ramil Macaspac Thank you!