Sicilian Kan — defence for Black

The Kan (Paulsen) Sicilian: 4...a6 with no early knight on f6 or c6. You keep every piece flexible and answer Bd3, c4 Maroczy setups, Nc3 and Be2 with the right mix of ...Qc7, ...Bc5 and ...b5. 8 lines for Black: 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.O-O Qc7, 5.Bd3 Bc5 6.Nb3 Ba7, 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4, 5.Nc3 b5, 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.g3, 5.Be2 Nf6 6.Nc3 Qc7, Maroczy hedgehog, 5.Bd3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6.

Popularity rank #44 of 64 · Endgame Pro defence · against Open Sicilian

Open Sicilian with Black's pawns on a6 and e6 and the d-pawn still flexible. If White builds a Maroczy bind with c4, Black settles for a hedgehog on a6, b6, d6 and e6 and waits for ...b5 or ...d5.

Watch out: The d6 square is your soft spot. A white knight landing on b5 or a pawn arriving on e5 can freeze your pieces, so keep d6 covered or occupied in time.

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