It is not often that a brand new variation of a standard defense comes along but that is exactly what happened this week, with the introduction of The Dirty Harry Sicilian.
We have all probably heard of the Sicilian Dragon, Najdorf, Taimanov and Scheveningen. Even the Sveshnikov, Kalashnikov and Kan variations may ring bells with club and tournament players – but the Dirty Harry…?
Expect the Unexpected
It all starts with an extraordinary fifth move.
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 h5
What is the point of h5? There is the psychological impact, for a start. According to International Master Christof Sielecki:
‘As soon as you push the h-pawn to h5 it’s like something psychological happens to most of my opponents online. They just go crazy. They’re really triggered.’
Indeed, as everyone is having to play their chess online for the foreseeable future players with White may think the move is simply a mouse slip rather than an unexpected, new variation.
Triggered…Dirty Harry…suddenly it all starts to make sense. Throw in the influence of Grandmaster Simon Williams, who is in the habit of calling h-pawns ‘Harry’ and we have least explained the unusual name.
The Flexible Dirty Harry
Nomenclature aside, what is the Dirty Harry Sicilian offering the practical chess player?
It is a waiting move, in a strange kind of way. Note the two central pawns are not yet committed, meaning Black could respond to circumstances and play …e6 or …e5 and …d6 or …d5 depending on how White decides to continue. For example, if White plays an early 6 Bc4 then 6 …e6 will blunt the power of the bishop.
The pawn on h5 protects the g4 square. This becomes highly significant after 6 Be3 Ng4 when if White isn’t careful his whole position can collapse very quickly. For instance, 7 Bg5 Qb6! is embarrassing for White.
White is falling apart on the dark squares – after just seven moves. This made me sit up and take notice.
White may to take advantage of Black’s omission of …d6 with 6 Nxc6 bxc6
Then 7 e5 would normally force the knight to retreat but in this variation 7 …Ng4! changes the dynamic of the position.
White will have to be careful to avoid another disaster on the dark squares.
What Will the Engines Think?
It all makes the opening ideal for Rapid and Blitz games, but I was interested to see the ideas in more depth. Would a chess engine be able to tear the artificial-looking apart?
It turns out Sielecki ‘checked this position with both Stockfish and Leela, and surprisingly there was no clear way to kill the line.’
Modesty is the Best Policy
Based on the evidence presented in the course, it would appear that the modest 6 Be2 is the best way for White to play for a steady advantage against The Dirty Harry Sicilian. The recommended recipe for Black is to take the game into Sveshnikov waters with 6 …e5.
Black’s king may be unwilling to castle on the kingside, but White will have new problems to deal with too. This is all uncharted territory.
It is unclear whether or not The Dirty Harry Sicilian will stand the test of time. Meanwhile, there is a lot of fun to be had for the pioneers willing to step out into new terrain.
Intrigued? Head for International Master Christof Sielecki’s Chessable course on The Dirty Harry Sicilian for further information.
