First of all, let me tell you that it blows my mind that you find the Open Sicilians boring (I assume you mean Open when you say Modern). Anyway, besides that point, 2.c3 is an Anti-sicilian system used by white to avoid the complications and huge amounts of theory in the 2.Nf3, 3.d4 lines. The system is solid for the most part, but on the other hand Black has an easier time equalizing.
Of course, it can lead to sharp positions, since you can reach the Smith-Morra Gambit by transposition.
First of all, let me tell you that it blows my mind that you find the Open Sicilians boring (I assume you mean Open when you say Modern). Anyway, besides that point, 2.c3 is an Anti-sicilian system used by white to avoid the complications and huge amounts of theory in the 2.Nf3, 3.d4 lines. The system is solid for the most part, but on the other hand Black has an easier time equalizing.
Of course, it can lead to sharp positions, since you can reach the Smith-Morra Gambit by transposition.
yeah an i also mean sicilian not scicilian!
I've got to side with yorugua. The Sicilian is a lot of things, but boring is not one of them. The Alapin does avoid some theory, and it can tick off Sicilian players because they want to play their opening, but in my experience I've won some games I probably shouldn't have against the Alapin. What about the Sicilian bores you? Are you castling queenside and throwing everything you have at black?
Boring? If you're playing the open Sicilian and it's boring you probably aren't doing it right, or perhaps your opponents aren't doing it right; either way something ain't right!
the c3 is (along with 3.Bb5) probably the most respected anti Sicilian, and it is good engough, but no one can tell you if it is right for you or not. I think the Smith Morra is crap, but there are many folks who swear by it, you have to find out for yourself.
rednblack - yes that is basically it! I castle queenside normally and then attack the kingside with everthing iv'e got, expecting to discover some mating tactics, only to find there arn't any and my position is unstable. Is blacks seemingly inferior position just an illusion?
Here are two games. I don't usually play the Sicilian, but I tried out the Kan for awhile, and may go back to it eventually. This is supposed to be the most "positional" of the Sicilian lines, so keep that in mind for these games.
And here's one where black wins.
Do these games seem boring to you? It certainly won't offend me if they do, but it will help me figure out what kind of positions you may find interesting.
Can you post any games?
So ive tried playing the modern variations of the sicilian and i don't seem to have much success. Not only that but i find the positions boorish - even though im probably not playing it right! Does anybody have any ideas about c3? Is it sharp? how does it differ from other variations, etc... some game annotations would be really appreciated.
thanks!