Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation

Chess players all around the world know that the Sicilian Defense is one of the best responses to White's first move e4. As a result, White has to come up with a plan to deal with it, and playing 2.Nf3 is one of the most popular choices. After 2...e6, White continues with 3.d4 to take control of the center and attack Black's pawn on c5. After 3...cxd4, White can recapture with either the queen or the knight, and most commonly chooses the knight to 4.Nxd4. This knight centralizes and prepares to support White's future pawn advances, which will ultimately break open the game.

When playing as Black, responding to 1.e4 with 1...c5 is a way to immediately challenge White's central control. By attacking White's pawn on e4, Black also prepares to later use their own pawn on c5 to control the central squares d4 and b4. By placing the pawn on c5, Black also gains a space advantage on the queenside compared to White. Additionally, the move c5 sets up the possibility for Black to launch counterattacks on the queenside with b5 and a5, or sometimes to even sacrifice the c-pawn for activity on the board.

Playing 2.Nf3 as White after 1.e4 c5 is a solid choice because it protects the e4 pawn and develops a knight while preparing to control the center. White wants to keep the option of pushing their d-pawn forward to establish control over the center even further. Additionally, the knight on f3 helps White prepare for possible king-side attacks and maintains flexibility for future pawn movements. By committing the knight to f3 after Black has played c5, White also avoids the possibility of a dangerous pin on their knight after d4, which can occur in some other Sicilian variations.

In the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation, Black plays 2...e6 in order to support the pawn on d6 and prevent White from taking control of the center with d4. By blocking the diagonal for the queen on b1, this move also decreases the possibility of tactics that rely on a potential pin on the knight on f6. Playing e6 also prepares the development of Black's light-square bishop to d6, where it can put pressure on White's pawn structure while remaining safe from immediate attacks. Additionally, this move lays the groundwork for Black to later launch an attack of their own on the king-side with f5.

Playing d4 as White after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 is a natural move to gain control over the central squares and establish a pawn chain. This move also immediately counters Black's control of d4, which was established by the pawn on c5 supported by the bishop on b7. By advancing the d-pawn, White opens up lines for their pieces and prepares to put pressure on Black's position. The pawn on d4 can also support another pawn advance to e5, which would increase White's central control even further. Additionally, playing d4 can also discourage Black from advancing their pawn to d5, which would lead to a closed position where White's extra space advantage would be less impactful.

In response to White's move 3.d4 in the Sicilian Defense opening, Black plays cxd4 to take control of the d4 square and gain material. By capturing the pawn on d4 with their c-pawn, Black also opens up lines for their queen and light-square bishop. Additionally, this move frees up the knight on f6 to develop and increases Black's central control. The pawn on c5, which previously provided support for the pawn on d4, is still supported by the queen and bishop, so capturing on d4 does not weaken Black's pawn structure. Finally, taking on d4 can sometimes tempt White to make a positional mistake by recapturing with the e-pawn and weakening their king-side pawn structure.

In the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation, White's move 4.Nxd4 aims to recapture the pawn on d4 and maintain a centralized knight in their position. By controlling the important d4 square, White limits Black's central control and prepares to further expand their pawn chain with e5. The knight on d4 is also in a strong position to support possible king-side attacks. Additionally, by recapturing with the knight on d4 instead of the queen, White keeps their queen active and prepares to further develop their pieces. Finally, playing Nxd4 can sometimes invite Black to overextend on the queen-side with b5, which White can use to launch counterattacks against Black's king.

In response to White's move 4.Nxd4 in the Sicilian Defense opening, Black plays a6 to prevent White's knight from going to b5 and attacking the c7 pawn. Additionally, this move sets the stage for Black's bishop pair to become a powerful force in the game, as the bishop can be developed to either a7 or b7. By playing a6, Black also ensures that the knight on d4 cannot be chased away by a eventual b5 move, which in turn helps Black establish better control in the center. This move also prepares the possibility of b5 and a later b4, forcing the knight to retreat and limiting White's mobility on the queen-side. Lastly, playing a6 can also tempt White to take on c6, allowing Black to recapture with the b-pawn and open the b-file for potential counterattacks.

White's move 5.Bd3 in the Sicilian Defense opening aims to develop the bishop on a more aggressive diagonal, attacking Black's pawn on f6 and preparing maneuvers such as Ng5 to put pressure on Black's king side. By placing the bishop on d3, White also prepares to castle kingside and complete their development. Additionally, this move keeps the option of advancing the pawn to e5 available, increasing White's central control and potentially opening up lines for the queen. Finally, by placing the bishop on d3, White also blocks Black's queen from putting pressure on the c4 square, preventing a potential queen exchange.

In the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation, Black's move 5...Nf6 develops a knight and attacks White's pawn on d4 while maintaining control over the central squares. This move also prepares to castle kingside and put the king in a safer position. By bringing out the knight, Black hopes to make it more difficult for White to get their pieces coordinated and launch an attack on the king side. Finally, playing Nf6 also prepares the possibility of playing d6-d5, further increasing Black's central control and potentially creating counter-play on the queen-side. This move is a sensible choice for Black, as they can now achieve a solid opening position with good chances for counterplay.

White's move 6.O-O in the Sicilian Defense opening castles the king to safety and prepares to bring the rook into the game. This move also gives the king protection from future attacks and allows the king-side knight to be removed from the e-file. By playing O-O, White takes care of their king safety, freeing up the queen-side rook for potential play on the open c-file or possibly repositioning to the d-file. Additionally, castling allows for the pawn on f2 to be protected so that the knight on f3 can be moved. Finally, playing O-O can sometimes discourage Black from launching a pawn storm against the king-side, as moving pawns on that side of the board will leave the king more vulnerable to potential checks or attacks.

In response to White's move 6.O-O in the Sicilian Defense opening, Black plays d6 to protect their knight on f6 and create a solid pawn structure. Additionally, playing d6 helps Black move their bishop from c8 to d6, where it can put pressure on White's pawn structure. The pawn on d6 also prevents any invasion from the White knight on c5, and it helps Black control the central squares. By supporting the pawn on c5, Black can also prevent White from placing a knight on b5, which could attack the pawn on c7 and put pressure on d6. Finally, playing d6 prepares the possibility of playing e6-e5, further increasing Black's control over the central squares and creating a strong pawn chain.

In the Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Gipslis Variation, White's move 7.c4 attacks Black's pawn on d5 and seeks to control the central squares. By pushing the pawn to c4, White expands their pawn chain and limits Black's space. Additionally, c4 prepares the d4 square for the knight to support possible future central pawn advances. By attacking the pawn on d5, White also forces Black to make a decision about whether to advance with d5-d4 or to retreat the pawn with c6 to maintain central control. Finally, playing c4 puts some pressure on Black's position, as Black now has to decide how to respond while not weakening their pawn structure too much. In sum, c4 is a strong move for White that increases their control over the center of the board.

In response to White's move 7.c4, Black plays g6 to prepare to develop their bishop to g7 where it can put pressure on the d4 pawn and control the long diagonal. Additionally, g6 makes it difficult for White to establish a pawn on f5 and helps prepare the King to be safer on the kingside. Furthermore, by placing the pawn on g6, Black prepares the option of playing Ng4, putting pressure on White's pawn structure and preparing for future tactical positions. Playing g6 also creates a solid structure for Black's king and reduces any potential back-attacks from White's bishop on d3. Finally, this move puts pressure on White's position, as Black will soon have the ability to create a strong and coordinated center with moves such as d6, c5, and e5.