Annotated chess game

Joe, as a frequent player of closed Sicilians, I have a problem with the phrase: So, the Closed Sicilian is inferior to the Open Sicilian. I have good success playing closed lines as they avoid most of the theory of the open lines. The ideas for White are simple: Build up your position slowly and attack the kingside with a slow pawn storm if possible. Later, White can open the center with a d4 break. For Black, the ideas are also simple: Pawn storm the queenside. Depending on the position, Black could possibly break in the center too.

I am cautious when I play this as the Rossolimo Variation (3.Bb5) frequently comes up. It's not that I am afraid of it (in fact it is quite fun to play!), but I struggle with Black finding the correct response to it. The main ideas of the Rossolimo are rapid development and seizing the initiative. I have seen several games by Rossolimo himself and have come to admire this variation of the Sicilian, especially for white. When Rossolimo originally started playing 3.Bb5 he wanted to castle as early as move four and then go on the attack.

The Grand Prix attack is also very common. Depends on your comfort level.

I reckon a Dragon-type defence is a good way of facing the Closed Sicilian.

Yes, white has ruled out a Yugoslav attack.

I have been playing fewer and fewer dragons on the count of some nasty defeats I suffered in OTB play. I still incorporate elements of it, but I much rather play the exotic looking Dragadorf Variation (combines elements of both the Dragon and the Najdorf).

Kinda like the 'Reversed English'  

I don't play the Sicilian very much, but when I do I normally play d6 here, as it increases control over e5 and d4 squares.

It appears that 8...0-0 9.dxc5 dxc5 10.Bxc5?! Qh5 (or possibly ...Bxc3ch) is somewhat in Black's favour 11.Be3 Rb8! or 11.Be6 Ba6 12.Qd2 (Bf1!?) ...Rab8!? 13.Bxb8 Rxb8 when, for the exchange, Black has White's Q-side under enormous pressure. Look at the focus of the long-range pieces upon the b2-square.

I would have preferred castling, or then 8. ...Ba6

Honestly, I prefer casting here as well or 8...Ba6, which can be a nuisance to White's plans.

9. ...Ba6 had done that job much better, in my opinion

Well he does have two knights on b5....