Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation

In chess, the Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation is a response to the Sicilian Defence characterised by the moves:

1. e4 c5
2. c3
Alapin Variation
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Moves1.e4 c5 2.c3
ECOB22
Named afterSemyon Alapin
ParentSicilian Defence

It is named after the Russian master Semyon Alapin (1856–1923). For many years, it was not held in high regard, since 2...d5 was thought to allow Black easy equality.[1][2]

Today, the Alapin is considered to be one of the most solid and respectable Anti-Sicilians, and it is championed by grandmasters such as Evgeny Sveshnikov, Eduardas Rozentalis, Sergei Tiviakov, Duško Pavasovič, and Drazen Sermek. It has been played by World Champions Viswanathan Anand, Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, Veselin Topalov, and Vladimir Kramnik. Deep Blue played the Alapin Variation against Kasparov in their 1996 match in order to avoid a main line Sicilian that would walk into Kasparov's lifetime of experience with the opening.

The Alapin is also seen in deferred form, particularly when Black chooses an unusual second move after 2.Nf3. For example, after 2.Nf3 a6 or 2.Nf3 Qc7, 3.c3 is often seen, since neither ...a6 nor ...Qc7 are particularly useful moves against the Alapin.

Main variations

2...Nf6
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Alapin Variation 2...Nf6

The main line in current practice is 2... Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 and can also arise if White offers, and Black declines, the Smith–Morra Gambit (1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5).

White has a number of options including 4.d4, 4.Nf3, 4.g3 and 4.Bc4.

2...d5
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Alapin Variation 2...d5

This is the main alternative to 2...Nf6 for Black. The usual continuation is 3. exd5 Qxd5, a line known as the Barmen Defense.[3] 3.e5 may transpose to the Advance Variation of the French Defence if Black responds with 3...e6, but Black can also develop his c8-bishop before playing e6. This leads to a favourable version of the French for Black, since the bishop is no longer hemmed in by the pawn chain. If White plays 3.exd5, 3...Nf6 is possible, but it is not clear whether Black receives sufficient compensation for the pawn.

The main options revolve around:

  • 4. d4 Nc6 and now 5.dxc5 or 5.Nf3
  • 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 when after both 5...e6 and 5...Bg4 White can try a number of different moves.

2...e6
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Alapin Variation 2...e6

This is Black's most solid response, preparing 3...d5. It is closely related to the French Defense, to which it often transposes. White can transpose to the Advance Variation of the French Defense with 3.d4 d5 4.e5. Alternatively, 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.

2...d6
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Alapin Variation 2...d6

This is a sharp response. Black often offers 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 4.Bd3, occupying the centre and maintaining a spatial advantage.

Other tries

2...e5
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Alapin Variation 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

Notes
  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.

References

Further reading
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