Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation

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In chess, the Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation is a response to Sicilian Defence distinguished by the moves 1. e4 c5 2. c3 (the moves are given in algebraic notation) named after Semyon Alapin.

It is considered as one of the more solid and respectable Anti-Sicilians and is championed by grandmasters such as Evgeny Sveshnikov, Eduardas Rozentalis, Drazen Sermek or Eckhard Schmittdiel. It has in the past been played by e.g. Vladimir Kramnik, Gary Kasparov, Veselin Topalov and Viswanathan Anand.

Contents 1 Main variations 2 Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3 Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 4 Alapin's Opening 5 References

[edit] Main variations

[edit] Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5

This is the main line in current practice and can also arise via 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.

[edit] Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5

This is the main alternative to 2...Nf6 for black. The main line continues 3.exd5 Qxd5, note that 3.e5 may transpose into the Advance variation of the French Defense, however black is not yet committed to e7-e6. The move 3...Nf6 is possible, but it is not clear whether black will have 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.

[edit] Alapin's Opening

Another opening named after Semyon Alapin is 1. e4 e5 2. Ne2 Alapin's Opening.

[edit] References

• Eduardas Rozentalis and Andrew Harley, Play the 2.c3 sicilian (UK: Gambit Publications 2002) ISBN 1-901983-56-0