A dangerous Anti-Sicilian: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3!

Magnus Carlsen knows how to avoid sharp theoretical lines and still get positions where the opponent is under pressure. It is interesting how Carlsen has played against the Sicilian recently. With 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ he has avoided the Najdorf Variation and the Dragon and against 2…e6 he plays 3.g3 - and that is the subject of this DVD. At first glance 3.g3 seems harmless and seems to lead to a harmless variation of the Closed Sicilian with a move rearrangement, but White has many ways to make the position complex and dangerous for Black: 1) He can play an improved version of the King's Indian Attack and tighten the position with Qe2 and c2-c4!. 2) He can try to undermine Black's pawn position in the center with 3…d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.d4. 3) He can try to build a wide pawn center with c2-c3 and d2-d4. These possibilities illustrate why this variation is dangerous and why top players like Carlsen and Adams use it successfully on a continuous basis. Do the same. FIDE Senior Trainer and IM Andrew Martin is an experienced author and has recorded many ChessBase DVDs.