The Easiest Sicilian

I have been analysing the Sveshnikov for years with my friend GM Vasil Spasov. It is his main repertoire as Black, while I was more interested for the white side. Gradually I discovered that Black was in perfect shape and started playing it for both colours. When I finished working on “The Sharpest Sicilian”, I decided to go on with series and write about the Sveshnikov. As a coach of Bulgarian women’s team, I had enough experience with explaining the most topical lines of the system. Still, I felt that I needed an outside critical view on my analyses. Thus contacted GM Nedev, who is one of the most devoted protagonist of Sveshnikov and has ample practical experience. We went together through all my files to synchronise our assessments.

The result is a repertoire book for Black which deals with positions arising after 1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6. It covers the Rossolimo (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5) and the Sveshnikov (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5) as well as some rere lines after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6. The wide range of other Anti-Sicilians are beyond the scope of this book.

We have not aimed to offer a historical survey or complete study on the Sveshnikov. We have endeavored to provide a sound, yet aggressive repertoire, with a focus on most topical lines.