Kalashnikov Sicilian

What do you guys think of the Kalashnikov Sicilian? What do you think Black's pros & cons in it? I did some of my own studies, but not too much :/. It occurs after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6

Engine says 5 Bd2 +=

objectively white is a bit better but it is a good blitz opening, as it is not so trivial for white to keep the advantage.

It is playable also in long games. Here is a top game

5. ... a6 6.Nd6+ Bxd6 7.Qxd6 Qf6 is by no means bad, a sneaky line I would give a whirl.

Yes that is playable too.

Thanks all!

Any opening used to beat a 2200+ player even once is playable - tpr.

Um... I play a similar opening (Sveshnikov Variation) because I was never sold on this one.

It's so interessant