80/20 Tactics Multiplier #12
Play Against the Paulsen Sicilian – GM Rashad Babaev
King’s pawn players of the world… listen up! The Paulsen Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6) is only one small pawn move different from the Najdorf, but frees the dark-squared bishop… sometimes with deadly effect. The c3 knight gets pinned, e4 comes under pressure… it’s easy to get into a real mess.
You need to know how to keep Black responding to your threats… and this 8-hour course shows you how.
The author, GM Rashad Babaev, is from the same Azerbaijani School of Chess that produced Kasparov, Radjabov and Mamedjarov. Like Kasparov, he was trained by the legendary Oleg Privorotsky. His approach is centered around analyzing games to see what works and why – ideas first, theory later. And that’s what you need to beat the Paulsen, and it’s why it’s the perfect opening for the 80/20 Tactics treatment – White’s strongest ideas are tactical in nature.
Play “ordinary” opening moves and you’ll be in for a tough game. Instead, be prepared to put knights on the rim, retreat bishops, and place pieces en prise! These weird moves will bring you brilliant victories by the truckload.
