The Kan is an ideal choice as an opening weapon against 1 e4, as it is one of the easiest variations of the Sicilian to learn and play. This is because, unlike some variations of the Sicilian, you don't need to memorize loads of opening theory in order to be successful. The Kan is relatively theory free in the traditional sense, and success is more likely to occur through the understanding of development systems and a deep study of the tactical and positional ideas for both sides.

In this book Johan Hellsten draws upon his vast experience in the Sicilian Kan, revealing his secrets and showing how Black can adopt this opening and play it with confidence. He provides the reader with a dependable repertoire, demonstrating what to do in the main lines as well as how to deal with White's tricky alternatives.

• Detailed coverage of an easy-to-play Sicilian
• Includes answers to all of White's main options
• Written by a renowned Kan expert

Johan Hellsten is a Grandmaster and a former Swedish Champion who has represented his country in numerous Olympiads and team tournaments. He has enjoyed many tournament successes and has won individual gold and bronze medals at the European Team Championships. He is currently employed as the chess teacher at the Sports Federation of Chimborazo, Ecuador.

Preface

As a youngster, my first opening against 1 e4 was the Caro-Kann. Later on my repertoire was extended with the Petroff, and during those years I achieved de­cent results with both of them. Still, there were moments when I felt a little bored with my opening positions after 1 e4, as if some part of chess was missing in them. Then one day I got hold of Mark Taimanov's Winning with the Sicilian, and sud­denly I learned that there was more to this opening than the theoretical labyrinths of the Dragon, the Najdorf and the Sveshnikov. Apart from Taimanov's bold strategical decisions, ingenious manoeuvres and stunning counterattacks, the Si­cilian structure in which they were executed made a deep impression on me. Soon I took my first, unstable Sicilian steps, incidentally in Taimanov's own pet line with ...Nc6 followed by ...Nge7. Having acquired some basic knowledge, I then picked up one of its neighbour systems, the Kan. That was in 1996, and ever since then my preference for the Kan has been rather constant - in a few hundred tour­nament games, it has been 'betrayed' on just a handful of occasions. Needless to say, I am enjoying this opening, and so far my results with it have been quite en­couraging (64%, it seems).

In this book I intend to share with the reader some of my knowledge and en­thusiasm for the Kan. If that makes yet another chess player follow in Taimanov's footsteps, or stay within them, then my efforts will not have been in vain.

I would like to thank John Emms for valuable advice and information. Finally, thanks Alexandra for your great patience.

Johan Hellsten,

Riobamba, Ecuador,

October 2008

Content:
004 Bibliography

005 Preface

007 Introduction

013 1 5 Nc3 Qc7: Introduction and 6th Move Sidelines

043 2 5 Nc3 Qc7 6 Bd3 Nf6 7 f4 and 7 Qe2

084 3 5 Nc3 Qc7 6 Bd3 Nf6 7 0-0 d6

112 4 5 Nc3 Qc7 6 Bd3 Nf6 7 0-0 Bc5

144 5 5 Nc3 Qc7 6 Be2

166 6 5 Nc3 Qc7 6 g3

192 7 5 Bd3 Bc5: Introduction and Set-ups without Nc3

219 8 5 Bd3 Bc5: Classical Set-ups

241 9 5 Bd3 Bc5: Maroczy Bind

274 10 5 c4 and Other 5th Moves

310 Index of Variations

319 Index of Games