One More Thing by Gary Lane Can the Closed Sicilian be an attacking opening? This is the question posed by the Australian Jonathan Adams who helpfully e-mails a great game where he wins in style. The potentially aggressive line (1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.d3 e6 6.Be3) adopted by Adams has been tested by some famous names such as Michael Adams (no relation), Nigel Short, Boris Spassky, and Alexander Stripunsky. I noticed that their high level opponents tended to put up firm resistance but when the position was played at a lower level the defence was more flimsy. I should add that World Champion Magnus Carlsen also gave his seal of approval to the opening by employing it … [Read more...]