Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 pd e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 pd d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 pl f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 pl d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 pl e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
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Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation

In chess, the Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation is a response to Sicilian Defence distinguished by the moves 1. e4 c5 2. c3. It is 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 and Drazen Sermek. It has in the past been played by Vladimir Kramnik, Garry Kasparov, Veselin Topalov and Viswanathan Anand.

Contents

[edit] Main variations

[edit] 2... Nf6

Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 pd e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 nd g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 pd d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 pl f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 pl d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 pl e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation 2... 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] 2...d5

Image:chess zhor 26.png
Image:chess zver 26.png a8 rd b8 nd c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Image:chess zver 26.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 d7 e7 pd f7 pd g7 pd h7 pd
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 pd d5 pd e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 pl f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 pl d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 pl b2 pl c2 d2 pl e2 f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 nl h1 rl
Image:chess zhor 26.png
Sicilian Defense, Alapin Variation 2... 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 Defence, 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

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