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1.Opening

Alapin Sicilian

You play WhiteB22PositionalIntermediate

The practical anti-Sicilian. c3 prepares d4 so White can recapture with a pawn and keep a full center.

1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 e6 …

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2...d5 Main Line: position after 9 moves8a7b6c5d4e3f2g1h
2...d5 Main Line: position after 9 moves
2.Ideas

What the opening is about

Key ideas

  1. c3 means d4 can be recaptured with a pawn.
  2. White often ends up with an isolated d-pawn (IQP): more space and activity.
  3. Nc3 later hits Black's queen with tempo.
3.Main line

Main line · 18 moves

2...d5 Main Line

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Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
e4Claims the center.
c5The Sicilian.
2
c3Prepares d4 so White can recapture with the c-pawn.
d5Black strikes at e4 before d4 arrives.
3
exd5Takes.
Qxd5Queen recaptures. With c3 played, White has no Nc3 to kick it right away.
After 3…Qxd5
After 3…Qxd5
No. White Black4
d4Builds the center.
Nf6Develops.
5
Nf3Develops.
e6Opens the f8 bishop; solid structure.
6
Be2Modest development, preparing to castle.
Nc6Pressures d4.
After 6…Nc6
After 6…Nc6
No. White Black7
O-OCastles.
cxd4Black trades on d4.
8
cxd4White now has an isolated d-pawn: a weakness long-term, but it gives space and open lines.
Be7Prepares castling.
9
Nc3Develops with tempo, attacking the queen.
Qd6The queen steps back but still blockades in front of d4.
After 9…Qd6
After 9…Qd6
4.Play

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5.More

More 1.e4 openings