

To my mind there is quite a straightforward explanation. The drawback is that White often obtains an early initiative, so Black has to take care not to fall victim to a quick attack. Grandmaster John Nunn attributes the Sicilian Defence's popularity to its "combative nature": "in many lines Black is playing not just for equality, but for the advantage.

The Sicilian is the most popular and best-scoring response to White's first move 1. The Sicilian Defence is a chess opening that begins with the following moves. Rowsonwrites: Tomymindthereisquiteastraightforwardexplanation. The Parent King'sPawnGame drawbackisthatWhiteoftenobtainsanearlyinitiative, soBlackhastotakecarenottofallvictimtoaquick attack. File Name: the sicilian defense by gufeld.
