Alapin Variation

The Alapin Variation, also known as the c3 Sicilian, answers 1...c5 with 2. c3. The move prepares d4 so that an exchange on d4 can be met by cxd4, leaving White with two central pawns and avoiding the heavily analyzed Open Sicilian after 2. Nf3. The cost is the c3-square, which the queen's knight can no longer use. Black's main replies exploit this by hitting e4 or opening the center at once, often gaining a lead in development against a center that can become overextended. The structure also arises a move later, as in 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. c3, where Black's second move does little against the c3 plan.

The main line today is 2...Nf6, attacking e4 when Nc3 is unavailable. After 3. e5 Nd5 (3...Ne4 fails to 4. d3, trapping the knight), 4. d4 threatens c4 and d5. The reply 4...cxd4 gives the Smith-Morra Declined, also reached via 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5. After 5. cxd4 Black usually chooses ...d6, chipping at e5, or the more solid ...e6. White also has 4. Nf3, 4. g3 and 4. Bc4, and the Stoltz Attack is 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3.

The older main line, 2...d5, threatens ...dxe4. After 3. exd5 Qxd5, the Barmen Defense, the queen stands well in the center because Nc3 cannot gain a tempo on it, and Black need not exchange on d4 and give up control of c3. Play usually goes 4. d4 Nc6, met by 5. dxc5 or 5. Nf3, or 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3, followed by 5...e6 or 5...Bg4. The Anti-Alapin Gambit, 3...Nf6, offers a pawn for uncertain compensation. After 2...d5 3. e5, Black can develop the c8-bishop before ...e6 and reach an improved French structure.

In the Lichess database the most frequent reply is 2...Nc6, though it is mainly an amateur try: 3. d4 cxd4 4. cxd4 gives White the full center. 2...e6 prepares ...d5 and often transposes to the French Advance after 3. d4 d5 4. e5; the Sherzer Variation, 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. d4 Nc6, belongs to the same family.

The earliest known game is Popert–Staunton, 1841, and the name comes from Semyon Alapin, who played it in Vienna in 1898. The opening was long dismissed because 2...d5 was thought to equalize easily, but it now counts among the most respected anti-Sicilians. Sveshnikov, Rozentalis and Tiviakov are among its specialists. Deep Blue used it against Kasparov in 1996, and Carlsen played it against Praggnanandhaa in the 2023 World Cup tiebreaks. The engine considers the position balanced, and White scores slightly better online.