The Kalashnikov is one of the most modern variations of the Sicilian Defence. As early as move four, Black lashes out in the centre and sets the tone for the rest of the game. Play can often become quite sharp and as is normal with many Sicilian lines, the best prepared player is usually the successful one. In this handy battle manual Jacob Aagaard and Jan Pinski take a deep look at all the critical ideas and variations of an opening which has received little coverage in chess publishing until now.

The Kalashnikov is one of the most modern variations of the Sicilian Defence. As early as move four, Black lashes out in the centre and sets the tone for the rest of the game. Play can often become quite sharp and as is normal with many Sicilian lines, the best prepared player is usually the successful one. In this handy battle manual Jacob Aagaard and Jan Pinski take a deep look at all the critical ideas and variations of an opening which has received little coverage in chess publishing until now.

004 Bibliography

005 Foreword

Part One: White plays 6 c4

007 White Plays 6 c4: Introduction

013 1 Main Line 8...Be6 9 Nc2

035 2 Main Line 8...Be6 9 Be2

043 3 Main Line 8...Be6 9 Nd5 and Ninth Move Alternatives

057 4 Main Line 8...f5!?

065 5 White plays 7 Be2

085 6 White plays 7 b3

096 7 White plays 7 Bd3

Part Two: White plays 6 N1c3

108 White plays 6 N1c3: Introduction

109 8 Black plays 8...Nce7

125 9 Black plays 8...Nge7 and Eighth Move Alternatives

141 10 Black plays 7...Be6?! and 7...Be7!?

Part Three: Earlier Diversions

143 11 Sixth Move Alternatives for White

149 12 Fifth Move Alternatives

158 13 Tricky Move Orders

167 14 Combinations

174 Index of Variations