How to Combat the Bowdler Attack | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1699

In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 10+5 game against a player rated 1699 on Chess.com. The Bowdler Attack (1.e4 c5 2.Bc4, or 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 followed by 3.Bc4) is often seen at amateur level, so Sicilian players should have several ideas in mind against it! Here, we investigate how Black can work up to ...d7-d5, ideally with knights developed to c6 and f6 and a pawn on a6 to prevent Bc4-b5. The center fork trick or luring the e-pawn forward to e5 are on the table with this setup; alternatively, Black may wish to forego ...d7-d5 entirely in favor of ...b7-b5 and play on the queenside.

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