Opening for White according to Anand 9

In this volume the 14th world champion Khalifman continues the analysis of the Sicilian Defence. The first part covers variations arising after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 and especially the Kalashnikov. In answer to 2...Nc6, just like after the majority of the basic lines, he recommends the most principled answer for White – 3.d4.

Parts 2 and 3 deal with systems arising after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e6. In the basic tabia of the Paulsen system 5.Nc3 Qc7 Khalifman advocates the aggressive set-up, which has become nowadays an almost universal plan in numerous lines of the Sicilian Defence. It includes Be3, followed by Qd2, castling long and a kingside attack. All that is too schematic, since Black has numerous plans at his disposal, but the author believes that White can rely on obtaining the advantage thanks to several very important original novelties and principally new ideas in the main lines.