Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation

In chess, the Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation is a 1.2 2...d5

response to the Sicilian Defence characterised by the
This is the main alternative to 2...Nf6 for Black. The
moves:
usual continuation is 3. exd5 Qxd5, a line known as the
Barmen Defense.[3] 3.e5 may transpose into the Advance
1. e4 c5
Variation of the French Defence if Black responds with
3...e6, but Black can also develop his c8-Bishop before
2. c3
playing e6. This leads to a favourable version of the
French for Black, since the bishop is no longer hemmed
It is named after the Russian master Semyon Alapin in by the pawn chain. If White plays 3.exd5, 3...Nf6 is
(18561923). For many years it was not held in high possible, but it is not clear whether Black receives suregard, since 2...d5 was thought to allow Black easy cient compensation for the pawn.
equality.[1][2]
The main options revolve around:
Today, the Alapin is considered one of the most
solid and respectable Anti-Sicilians and is champi 4. d4 Nc6 and now 5.dxc5 or 5.Nf3
oned by grandmasters such as Evgeny Sveshnikov,
Eduardas Rozentalis, Sergei Tiviakov, Duko Pavasovi
4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 when after both 5...e6 and 5...Bg4
and Drazen Sermek. It has been played by World ChamWhite can try a number of dierent moves.
pions Viswanathan Anand, Garry Kasparov, Anatoly
Karpov, Veselin Topalov and Vladimir Kramnik. Deep Alapin Variation 2...e6
Blue played the Alapin Variation against Kasparov in
their 1996 match, to avoid a main line Sicilian that would
walk into Kasparovs lifetime of experience with the
opening.
1.3 2...e6
The Alapin is also sometimes seen in deferred form, particularly if Black chooses an unusual second move after This is Blacks most solid response, preparing 3...d5. It
2.Nf3. For example, after 2.Nf3 a6 or 2.Nf3 Qc7, 3.c3 is is closely related to the French Defense, to which it often
often seen, since neither ...a6 nor ...Qc7 are particularly transposes. White can transpose to the Advance Variation
of the French Defense with 3.d4 d5 4.e5. Alternatively,
useful moves against the Alapin.
White can transpose to a sort of Tarrasch French with
3.d4 d5 4.Nd2, or try to demonstrate a slight advantage
with 3.d4 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Be3.

Main variations

Alapin Variation 2...d6

Alapin Variation 2...Nf6

1.4 2...d6
This is a sharp response. Black often oers a gambit with
3.d4 Nf6 4.dxc5 Nc6 (4...Nxe4?? 5.Qa4+) 5.cxd6 Nxe4.
White can instead play quietly, however, with 3.d4 Nf6
The main line in current practice is 2... Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4.Bd3, occupying the centre and maintaining a spatial adand can also arise if White oers, and Black declines, the vantage.
SmithMorra Gambit (1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5
Nd5).

1.1

2...Nf6

White has a number of options including 4.d4, 4.Nf3,

4.g3 and 4.Bc4.

2 Other tries

Alapin Variation 2...d5

Alapin Variation 2...e5

2.1

2...e5

This move makes it hard for White to play d4, but seriously weakens the d5 square. Play usually continues
3.Nf3 Nc6 4.Bc4, with a solid edge for White.

See also
List of chess openings
List of chess openings named after people

References

[1] Siegbert Tarrasch wrote, using descriptive chess notation, To 2.P-QB3? Black can advantageously reply with
2...P-Q4!. Siegbert Tarrasch, The Game of Chess, David
McKay, 1938, p. 322. ISBN 978-1-880673-94-2 (1994
Hays Publishing edition).
[2] Walter Korn, much like Tarrasch, dismissed the Alapin
with 2...P-Q4!=. Walter Korn, Modern Chess Openings,
11th Edition (commonly referred to as MCO-11), Pitman
Publishing, 1972, p. 148. ISBN 0-273-41845-9.
[3] David Howell vs. Wang Yue (2012)". Retrieved 31 January 2012.

Bibliography
Rozentalis, Eduardas and Harley, Andrew, Play the
2.c3 Sicilian (UK: Gambit Publications 2002) ISBN
1-901983-56-0
Collins, Sam (2007). Chess Explained: The c3 Sicilian. Gambit Publications. ISBN 978-1904600718.

Further reading
Sveshnikov, Evgeny (1997). Sicilian Defence B22.
Chess Informant. ISBN 8672970292.
Chandler, Murray (1997). The Complete c3 Sicilian.
Intl Chess Enterprises. ISBN 1879479508.
Emms, John (2008). Starting Out: The c3 Sicilian.
Everyman Chess. ISBN 1-85744-570-8.
Sveshnikov, Evgeny (2010). The Complete C3 Sicilian: The Alapin Variation by Its Greatest Expert.
New in Chess. ISBN 9056913298.

External links
Chess openings Sicilian, Alapin (B22)
An Interesting Idea in the Alapin Sicilian

EXTERNAL LINKS

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