user10069: I am a very beginning player and something I see a lot in response to the Sicilian defense is Bc4, with white intending to play Qf3 next turn. I found that e6 is a good answer but I feel where I take it after that is pretty poor and I want to know a better answer. The following is how the game typically goes
[fen ""]
1. e4 c5 2. Bc4 e6 3. Qf3 a6 4. d3 b5 5. Bb3 d5 6. a3 c4 7. dxc4 dxc4 *


user17: At 3...., you should play nf6 threatening 4.... d5. You need the Nf6 to protect the d5 pawn against exd5, e6xd5, Bxd5, etc.
If White plays nc3 to attack d5 again, you play Nc6 to threaten Na5, attacking the bishop.

user2967: In your posted game you have done a decent job of harrassing and eventually marginalizing the White King bishop.  Yet, do you realize that each of your first seven moves is a pawn move?  Besides neglecting piece develpment, you leave your center rather unprotected, which partly defeats the purpose of using the Sicilian, and you expose yourself to the inconvenient discovered attack of e5.  For the moment, the Queen/Bishop attack is sufficiently neutralized by your 2...e6 and that is the time to begin development of your pieces.

10069: <p>I am a very beginning player and something I see a lot in response to the Sicilian defense is Bc4, with white intending to play Qf3 next turn. I found that e6 is a good answer but I feel where I take it after that is pretty poor and I want to know a better answer. The following is how the game typically goes</p>

<pre><code>[fen ""]
1. e4 c5 2. Bc4 e6 3. Qf3 a6 4. d3 b5 5. Bb3 d5 6. a3 c4 7. dxc4 dxc4 *
</code></pre>
 17: <p>At 3...., you should play nf6 threatening 4.... d5. You need the Nf6 to protect the d5 pawn against exd5, e6xd5, Bxd5, etc.</p>

<p>If White plays nc3 to attack d5 again, you play Nc6 to threaten Na5, attacking the bishop.</p>
 2967: <p>In your posted game you have done a decent job of harrassing and eventually marginalizing the White King bishop.  Yet, do you realize that each of your first seven moves is a pawn move?  Besides neglecting piece develpment, you leave your center rather unprotected, which partly defeats the purpose of using the Sicilian, and you expose yourself to the inconvenient discovered attack of e5.  For the moment, the Queen/Bishop attack is sufficiently neutralized by your 2...e6 and that is the time to begin development of your pieces.</p>
