Sicilian ...a6
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6!? 3.c3
The commonest move, 3.d4!?, has a questionable reputation from a theoretical standpoint in that, after 3...cxd4 4.Nxd4, Black can get in a quick ...e5, eg 4...Nf6 5.Nc3 e5, giving Black what is arguably an improved Najdorf in that Black has not spent a tempo on ...d6. However Nakamura is among grandmasters who have been happy to play this way as White, while Tartakower and Fischer met the problem by switching to a Morra Gambit with 4.c3!?
The argument in favour of the text is that ...a6 may well not be a useful move in a Sicilian Alapin, ie a game that usually starts 1.e4 c5 2.c3.
3...e6 4.d4 Nf6!?
The analysis engines Stockfish14 and Komodo12.1.1 strongly dislike this, preferring 4...d5, which is the most-popular move in ChessBase's 2021 Mega database.
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| How should White proceed? |
*****
*****
*****
*****
5.d5?!
5.d5?!
Most popular in Mega21 is 5.Bd3, while the engines reckon White has a large advantage after 5.e5.
5...d6
Black loses a piece after 5...Nxe4 6.dxe6 dxe6?? 7.Qa4+, but very playable is 6...fxe6, when 7.Bd3 Nf6!? leaves White with insufficient compensation for a pawn, according to the engines, although Komodo12.1.1 reckons Black is only slightly better.
6.Be2 e5!? 7.0-0 Be7 8.h3 Nxe4?? 9.Qa4+ Bd7 10.Qxe4 (1-0, 40 moves).
Updated tournament standings can be seen at https://ccfworld.com/Chess/Results/2021-12-15_Daytime%20Club.htm
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