Why GothamChess Hates the Sicilian

Woah. Strong words. If you’ve ever looked up a Black opening against 1.e4, chances are you’ve probably seen and come across that quote, “Gotham says no!”

But is the Sicilian Defense really that bad for beginners? Or is it just getting a bad reputation?
Let’s talk about what the Sicilian is, why it scares some players (and coaches), and whether you should run away or run it down.

“Stop Playing the Sicilian” ~GorthamChess Youtube Thumbnail

Gotham’s Warning: Why He Says “Don’t”

Levy Rozman (aka GothamChess) is known for giving honest advice. Sometimes brutally honest. Here’s why he tells most players under 1500 should avoid the Sicilian:

1. It’s a Whole Jungle, Not Just a Tree

There are so many types of Sicilians. Najdorf, Dragon, Accelerated Dragon, Sveshnikov, Taimanov... It’s like ordering a coffee and having to choose between 12 types of milk. If you’re still learning the rules, that’s just too much.

2. You’ll Forget the Basics

In most Sicilian lines, Black doesn’t just develop quickly and castle. You often give White the center and say, “It’s fine, I have a plan.” But if you don’t actually have a plan and play it safe, you’ll be toast by move 10.

3. You’ll Get Ambushed

White players LOVE attacking the Sicilian. They prepare tricky gambits like the Smith-Morra or the Grand Prix. If you haven’t seen them before, it feels like walking into a boxing match holding a spoon.

But... Is He Right?

Well, a little bit. But not for everyone.
If you're brand new to chess and still learning not to hang your queen, then yes, the Sicilian might not be your best friend yet.

But I stand on another side of the argument on that matter. Specifically, if:

• You like unbalanced, tactical games
• You are open to taking risks and going aggressive
• You don’t mind losing a few games while learning
• You promise not to fall into a 25-line Najdorf hole on YouTube... (Well, that was a joke)

Then the Sicilian might just be the rollercoaster you’re looking for. It’s sharp, rich, and full of energy — exactly the kind of opening that reminds you why chess is fun in the first place.

And here’s the surprising part — not all Sicilian lines are wild theoretical jungles. In fact, several variations are surprisingly beginner-friendly, offering structure, strategy, and just enough punch to catch your opponents off guard.”

Attacking and counterattacking positions are very common within the Sicilian Defense.

Easy Sicilian Lines That Won’t Break Your Brain

Want to try the Sicilian without having a meltdown? Start with one of these:

• The Classical: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6
  Just develop your pieces and play solidly. You get a normal game without needing a PhD in theory.
• The Accelerated Dragon: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6
  Feels fancy. You get a dragon without fire-breathing tactics. Great for practicing long-term strategy.
• The Kan: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6
  Super flexible. No crazy pawn storms. Feels like playing chess, not defusing a bomb.

Stick to one of these and Master that Opening. Please, keep it simple, and ignore the voices online. In fact, many of my beginner students have used the Sicilian Dragon to crush opponents rated over 1000 points higher — not because they knew more theory, but because they understood the position better.

You don't need to outsmart your opponent in the opening — you need to outlast them. The Sicilian teaches you how to play open games, go forward and attack, and at the same time, how to survive in the defence.

POV: The Feeling of Playing the Dragon.

The Real Issue Isn’t the Opening

Let’s be honest. At the beginner level, you’re probably not losing because of your opening. You’re losing because you hung a bishop, or didn’t castle, or missed a fork. That’s totally normal.

So if you’re having fun with the Sicilian and you’re learning something from it? Keep going. Just don’t let it become a full-time job (focus on the middle-game, improve your thought process, and Calculations).

Focus on learning ideas, not memorizing lines. Improve your Middlegame Strategies. Work on Tactics. Play games. Review them. Fix mistakes. Repeat. That’s the fastest way to improve.

Look at what happens once we exit the opening.

Want to Learn Openings That Actually Fit YOU?

Hit me up on Lichess or Email at onlinechessusa@gmail.com to tailor openings that fit YOUR playing style!

If you’re serious about improving, I’m offering a FREE 15-minute Consultation — available exclusively to players in the US, Canada, and the UK.