Opening name: Sicilian, Alapin
Opening line: 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6
Lichess Board
Wikibooks Page
Winning percentages
White: 4059 (27.01%)
Black: 4146 (27.59%)
Draws: 6821 (45.39%)
Sicilian, Alapin
This move continues development for Black. It puts pressure on the e pawn, and aims to protect the d5 square. This variation is marginally preferred to the 2...d5 response, and is statistically a better win-rate for Black (as per ChessBase.com).
Whites Responses
3.e5 immediately pressures the Black knight, and is by far the most popular response. It also continues Whites assault on the centre, and aims to reinforce with d4.
3.d3 and 3.d4 are playable, but more passive. d3 aims to protect the e pawn, while d4 simply continues with Whites original plan of controlling the d4 square - the goal of the Alapin opening.
Most popular responses
3. e5 (Sicilian, Alapin) Whites move attacks the knight, and continues to push the centre. It forces Black to move their piece twice in the opening development, and removes the threat of Ng4 placement later in the opening. Lichess Analysis - Wikibooks (2111784 games)
Engine Evaluation
Depth: 39
Score: +0.1
Best Move: e5
PV Line: 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 d6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nc6 7. Bc4 Nb6
Historical games for Sicilian, Alapin
| Game | Result | Year |
| Carlsen, M.. (2862) vs Nepomniachtchi, I.. (2784) | 1-0 | 2020 |
| Nakamura, Hi (2787) vs Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2785) | 1/2-1/2 | 2016 |
| Mamedyarov, S.. (2770) vs Giri, A.. (2780) | 1/2-1/2 | 2021 |
| Aronian, L. (2785) vs Dominguez Perez, L. (2756) | 1/2-1/2 | 2022 |
| Nakamura, Hikaru (2736) vs Ding, Liren (2791) | 1/2-1/2 | 2020 |
| Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2764) vs Giri, Anish (2763) | 0-1 | 2020 |
| Nakamura, Hi (2814) vs Nepomniachtchi, I. (2705) | 1/2-1/2 | 2015 |
| Nakamura, Hi (2814) vs Nepomniachtchi, I. (2705) | 1-0 | 2015 |
| Harikrishna, P. (2705) vs Ding Liren (2806) | 0-1 | 2022 |
| Ivanchuk, Vassily (2776) vs Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2726) | 1/2-1/2 | 2011 |