Sicilian, Keres Variation

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts or experience on the Keres variation (1. e4 c5 2. Ne2). I've been looking for a good anti-sicilian opening and this one popped up.

A good reference for games played under the Keres Attack can be found at chessgames.com: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessopening?eco=B81

Regards,

C.S. 

I thought an early Ne2 was known as the Chameleon variation? Played to disguise wether white is going to play open or closed sicilian(Ne2 line). Maybe im wrong?!

Can someone give me some lines and ideas?

It's the chameleon if played after Nc3.

After 2. Ne2 there's only 2 followups that make alot of sense for white - either pushing d4 and transposing into the open lines, or playing Nc3 and transposing into the chameleon.

The chameleon is dubbed so because you often transpose back into the open further down the line. But the advantage of 2. Ne2 over 2. Nc3 > 3. Ne2 is you can transpose into the open sicilian without blocking the c pawn. Which means you can still play some maroczy bind setups. If black responds 2... e6 you can still play the maroczy bind against the Kan, for example. Likewise if black responds 2... Nc6 you can play d4 and after takes > g6 c4 get a maroczy bind against the accelerated dragon. However... if black plays 2... d6 you can play 3. Nc3 and, depending on how black proceeds, you may be able to avoid the Najdorf and instead play a line with g3 fiancetto. This differential closed vs. open choice on the 3rd move is really what it's all about.

It's not a bad line, but the reason it's not more popular is this g3 fiancetto avoiding the Najdorf just isn't that testing, it's kind of a typical boring position that puts no real pressure on black. But it's not a bad move, but... I don't see why you wouldn't just play fiancetto line in the Najdorf itself if that's what you wanted, it will be stronger. I guess one advantage is you could choose to avoid the Dragon or Classical as well. But the Yugoslav / Richter-Rauzer deal with those 2 openings very well, you don't even really need to avoid those.

On the other hand, in response to 2. Ne2 moves such as 2... a6 and 2... Nf6 all alot stronger compared with the typical open sicilian. Therefor you'd just prefer the open sicilian over always transposing into open lines after 2. Ne2.

And if you wanted to play all chameleon - well you may as well play 2. Nc3 in that case, because you also have other options then like the grand prix against 2... d6, which is quite strong, stronger than the fiancetto and also avoids the Najdorf. And you'll fare better against 2... a6 / 2... Nf6 in the closed as well.

So really 2. Ne2 just ends up about playing the open sicilian in most cases while avoiding the Najdorf via the Chameleon.

Other than the transpositions there aren't many sharp lines here, Ne2 just isn't a very active move and all the interesting moves are better played via the Closed Sicilian. Like if f4 you just have an inferior Grand Prix at that point.