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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. c3

< Chess Opening Theory | 1. e4 | 1...c5
Sicilian:Alapin Variation
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black kingd7 black pawne7 black pawnf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black kinge6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black pawnd5 black kinge5 black kingf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 black kingd4 black kinge4 white pawnf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 white pawnd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 black kingg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 black kingd2 white pawne2 black kingf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 white knighth1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkbnr/pp1ppppp/8/2p5/4P3/2P5/PP1P1PPP/RNBQKBNR b

Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. c3

Sicilian - Alapin Variation

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White plays c3 with the aim of avoiding the classic Sicilian lines. As both the Closed Sicilian and Open Sicilian have been extensively studied, their use involves a lot of theory to become comfortable with them. This means low- and mid-rated players (up to Club level) would not be familiar with all the variations of the Sicilian lines, and are prone to traps and gambits.

The Alapin is known as an "anti-Sicilian"[1] as it primarily stems Black’s initiative and helps White gain control of the d4 square.

Named after Semyon Alapin, the opening didn’t become popular until the latter 20th century. It was initially thought that the response 2 ...d5 was too strong a position for Black, but modern analysis has shown it to be more favourable for White[2].

Black’s response

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Since White’s intention with 2.c3 is to then later play d4, Black’s response aims to disrupt this central control.

2 ...d5 used to be the default response, and is still very playable for Black. After 3.exd5 then 3 ...Qxd5, giving Black fast central control and quicker development. Notably, White is unable to bring their knight to c3 as the square is occupied by the c pawn.

2 ...Nf6 has gained popularity. Although not as aggressive for Black, it allows for a more solid structure going into the midgame. The main line follows with 3. e5 Nd5 (3 ...Ne4 is a mistake, as it allows 4. d3, leading to capture of the knight).

2 ...d6 and 2 ...e6 are less common openings, but still playable.

Theory table

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For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 c5 2. c3
2 3 4 5
c3
Nf6		 e5
Nd5		 d4
cxd4		 Nf3
Nc6		 =
...
d5		 exd5
Qxd5		 d4
Nf6		 Nf3
Bg4		 =
...
g6		 d4
cxd4		 cxd4
d5		 e5
Bg7		 =
...
e6		 d4
d5		 exd5
exd5		 Nf3
Nc6		 +/=

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References

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  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNILn33kAq8
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGP0qWscORM
 

Wikipedia has related information at Sicilian Defence, Alapin Variation

  • Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.
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