user21834: Given that in GM Simon William's book The Killer Dutch, Williams says that the Sicilian and the Dutch are mirror images of each other, as Williams states "If you look at the first move, you can see that the two openings are similar, due to the fact the initial pawn structures of both openings are actually mirror images of each other." (Williams, 32) What Sicilian Defence variation has the most similarity to the Dutch? In the sense of pawn structures, middlegame plans, and strategic ideas? From what I observe it seems to me like the Scheveningen is similar to the classical variation of the Dutch. 
Which variation do you think is most similar?

user18809: The most similar variations probably come in some of the closed lines (Grand Prix, Closed Sicilian...) where each side plays in an opposite side of the board. The Morra Gambit is also "similar" to 1.d4 f5 2.e4 in the sense that White sacrifices a pawn for activity, but that's pretty much it. The fact that in the Sicilian White can freely play d2-d4 due to the queen defending d4 really makes things different.

user2494: "If you look at the first move, you can see that the two openings are similar, due to the fact the initial pawn structures of both openings are actually mirror images of each other."
That's one of the most patzerish things I've ever read in a book written by a strong player.
Flip the board around, and I don't think anyone (not even Simon Williams) would suggest the English and the Bird are similar, except that all four (Bird, English, Dutch, Sicilian) of them influence the center from the wing instead of through direct occupation, and none of them do as much for one's development as a central pawn move.

21834: <p>Given that in GM Simon William's book The Killer Dutch, Williams says that the Sicilian and the Dutch are mirror images of each other, as Williams states "If you look at the first move, you can see that the two openings are similar, due to the fact the initial pawn structures of both openings are actually mirror images of each other." (Williams, 32) What Sicilian Defence variation has the most similarity to the Dutch? In the sense of pawn structures, middlegame plans, and strategic ideas? From what I observe it seems to me like the Scheveningen is similar to the classical variation of the Dutch. </p>

<p>Which variation do you think is most similar?</p>
 18809: <p>The most similar variations probably come in some of the closed lines (Grand Prix, Closed Sicilian...) where each side plays in an opposite side of the board. The Morra Gambit is also &quot;similar&quot; to <strong>1.d4 f5 2.e4</strong> in the sense that White sacrifices a pawn for activity, but that's pretty much it. The fact that in the Sicilian White can freely play d2-d4 due to the queen defending d4 really makes things different.</p>
 2494: <p>&quot;If you look at the first move, you can see that the two openings are similar, due to the fact the initial pawn structures of both openings are actually mirror images of each other.&quot;</p>
<p>That's one of the most patzerish things I've ever read in a book written by a strong player.</p>
<p>Flip the board around, and I don't think anyone (not even Simon Williams) would suggest the English and the Bird are similar, except that all four (Bird, English, Dutch, Sicilian) of them influence the center from the wing instead of through direct occupation, and none of them do as much for one's development as a central pawn move.</p>
