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 1946 on Chess.com. The Open Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 followed by 3.d4) has long been considered the key test of the Sicilian Defense. It must be understood that White is exchanging a central pawn for a flank pawn in playing this way, and it's therefore important for White to look for opportunities to pressure Black early on in the struggle, as the second player is often lagging in development. In this game against the Najdorf Variation (2...d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6), I choose a trendy plan of placing the queen on e2 and castling long. The possibility for a thematic Nc3-d5 sacrifice arises, upon which the game reaches a key moment.

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