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| Moves | 1.e4 c5 2.c3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ECO | B22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Named after | Semyon Alapin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | Sicilian Defence | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TheAlapin Variation is a variation of theSicilian Defence that begins with the moves:
White plays 2.c3 with the intention of supporting a later d4, which would establish a strong central pawn centre. Black most often replies with 2...d5 or 2...Nf6.
Theopening is named after the RussianmasterSemyon Alapin (1856–1923). For many years, it was not held in high regard, since 2...d5 was thought to allow Black easyequality.[1][2] Today, the Alapin is considered to be one of the mostsolid and respectableAnti-Sicilians, and it is championed bygrandmasters such asEvgeny Sveshnikov,Eduardas Rozentalis,Sergei Tiviakov,Duško Pavasovič, andDražen Sermek. It has been played byWorld ChampionsViswanathan Anand,Garry Kasparov,Anatoly Karpov,Veselin Topalov, andVladimir Kramnik, andDeep Blue played the Alapin Variation against Kasparov in their1996 match.Magnus Carlsen played it in his championship tiebreaker againstRameshbabu Praggnanandhaa in the2023 FIDE World Cup.
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.
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 |              | 8 | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
The main line in current practice is 2...Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 and can also arise if Black declines theSmith–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.
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 | | 8 | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
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 theAdvance Variation of theFrench Defence if Black responds with 3...e6, but Black can also develop his c8-bishop before playing e6. This leads to a favorable 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:
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 | | 8 | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
This is Black's most solid response, preparing 3...d5. It is closely related to theFrench Defence, to which it often transposes. White can transpose to the Advance Variation of theFrench Defence 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.
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 | | 8 | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
This is asharp response. Black often offers agambit with 3.d4 Nf6 4.dxc5 Nc6 (4...Nxe4?? 5.Qa4+) 5.cxd6 Nxe4. White can instead playquietly, however, with 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bd3, occupying thecentre and maintaining aspatial advantage.
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
| 8 | | 8 | |||||||
| 7 | 7 | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | ||
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 solidedge for White.
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