Expert: Wuyanbu Zutali - 11/2/2006

Question
1)Please explain how black will deal(generally) with the d5 weakness in Sicilian Pelikan . 2) Please mention the best line now in vogue for black after 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.c3
3) How should black proceed when white has managed to shatter Black's king side pawn structure after 9.Bxf6 gf.

Expecting your valuable advise so that I can play pelikan with out fear.

Thanks and regards

Sunil Pillai


Answer
Sunil,

This is the best question I've had so far.
I will say that no matter what lines you decide to play, it's not so much the line, but the player and his/her attitude. You've got to be familiar with tactics in any Sicilian lines. I play the Najdorf which is constantly under the gun from new lines. The Pelikan is outright tactics then settles into postional chess That's one of the reasons why your concerned about your pawn structure. I'm guessing you prefer positional struggles but like to attack as well. My guess is the Pirc would suit you well too.
The d-5 hole is a problem in the Pelkan. I'll refer to the MCO written by Nick de Firmian to answer this question. He agrees that the shattered kingside and the hole on d-5 or backward pawn is ugly. But Black has compensation:
1) the double f-pawns can be exchanged with f-5 and sometimes white's knights are out of play. His remaining forces, usually a bishop pair or knight can challenge for control of the d-5 square. Some players castle kingside anyway. And some prefer to fight it out in the middle and not castle.
As for the best response/lines, to me, it's question of style. The lines you use  in the middle games depends on whether you are an all out attacker or a little more conservative. Buy the MCO, a book or  CD's on the Pelikan. It's a weapon you can play with confidence because it's not a frequent vistor in tournaments with players under 2200.

I hope this helps.