Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
ECO B22 · 1. e4 c5 2. c3
The Alapin Variation, 1.e4 c5 2.c3, prepares d4 so that White can recapture with the c-pawn and keep a classical pawn center. It is one of the most popular anti-Sicilians, avoiding the huge theory of the Open Sicilian.
Plans for White
White plays d4, Nf3 and Bd3 or Be2, aiming for a center with pawns on e4 and d4. If Black exchanges on d4, isolated queen's pawn positions arise where White plays for a kingside attack.
Plans for Black
The two main replies are 2...d5, hitting e4 and recapturing with the queen, and 2...Nf6, attacking e4 so that 3.e5 Nd5 gives a structure like Alekhine's Defense. Both aim for quick development and pressure on d4.
Typical pawn structures
Isolated queen's pawn positions with a White pawn on d4 are typical; in 2...Nf6 lines, White's e5 pawn faces Black's knight on d5.
Who it suits
White players who want a positional, low-theory answer to the Sicilian; Black players who are comfortable in IQP positions.
Common traps
After 2...d5 3.exd5 Qxd5, White must not chase the queen without development; Black, in turn, must watch the Bc4 or Nc3 tempo moves and Bb5 pins.
Variations
- Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense — 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5
- Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack — 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3
- Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Anti-Alapin Gambit — 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Nf6
- Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Smith-Morra Declined — 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4
- Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Sherzer Variation — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. d4 Nc6
Related variations
- Sicilian Defense: Closed
- Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit
- Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
- Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Czerniak Attack
- Sicilian Defense: Kronberger Variation
- Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack
- Sicilian Defense: Wing Gambit
- Sicilian Defense: French Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Modern Variations
- Sicilian Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation
- Sicilian Defense: O'Kelly Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Grand Prix Attack
- Sicilian Defense: Morphy Gambit
- Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack
- Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Pterodactyl
- Sicilian Defense: Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted
- Sicilian Defense: Chekhover Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Prins Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Four Knights Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation
- Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation