Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin & Basman-Palatnik Gambit
Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation
Definition & Move-order
The Delayed Alapin is a branch of the Sicilian Defense in which White plays the characteristic pawn advance c2-c3 on the third move instead of the second. The most common move-orders are:
- 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3
- 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3
By first developing the king’s knight, White keeps the option of entering open Sicilian lines (with 3.d4) but at the last moment swerves into the quiet, positional Alapin set-up. The early …Nc6 or …d6 committed by Black can become slightly misplaced once the central structure transforms.
Main Ideas & Strategy
- Build a broad pawn center with 4.d4, recapturing with the c-pawn and obtaining the classical «small center» (pawns on d4 & e4).
- Restrict Black’s counter-play. Without the immediate 2.c3, Black’s aggressive lines with …d5 or the Najdorf’s …a6 are harder to reach.
- Transpositional weapon. After 3…d5 White can transpose to the Advance French (4.exd5 Qxd5 5.d4) or to Alapin main lines; after 3…Nf6 White may switch back to the open Sicilian by 4.d4.
- Piece activity over early tactics. Endgames often favour White because of the space advantage and a healthy pawn structure.
Historical Notes
Louis Alapin (1856-1923) invented the original 2.c3 system. The “delayed” version gained popularity in the 1990s when players such as Evgeny Bareev and Peter Leko looked for solid but flexible anti-Sicilian weapons. In the 2010s it became a staple of Magnus Carlsen’s repertoire, especially in rapid & blitz.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The diagram (after 10.d5) shows typical themes: White’s advanced pawn trio cramps Black, the d5-square becomes an outpost, and Black’s …Nd5 is soon chased back.
Practical Tips
- Be ready for …d5 strikes; answer with exd5 followed by d4 or dxc5 to keep the structure intact.
- If Black plays an early …e5, prepare the break d4-d5 to clamp the center.
- Against …g6 setups, the Maroczy-style bind with c4 can be highly effective.
Trivia
In the 2013 Tal Memorial Blitz, Carlsen–Andreikin featured the line. Commentators joked that the World Champion was “three-move tricking” top GMs by hiding his intentions until move 3!
Basman-Palatnik Double Gambit
Definition & Move-order
An adventurous defence against 1.e4 attributed to English IM Michael Basman and Ukrainian GM Alexander Palatnik, characterised by the moves:
1. e4 g5!? 2. d4 f5!?
Black immediately offers two flank pawns (g5 and f5)—hence the term “double gambit”—in return for rapid piece development, control of the e4-square, and psychological surprise.
Key Ideas
- Dark-square grip. After …Bg7 and …Nf6 Black hopes to fix a pawn on e4 and generate kingside pressure.
- Open g- and f-files. If White captures both pawns, the semi-open files can assist Black’s rook activity.
- Unbalancing the game early. The opening is soundly dubious but practical in blitz or against unprepared opponents.
Typical Continuations
- 3.exf5 Nf6 4.Bxg5 Bg7 with compensation based on development.
- 3.Bxg5 Bg7 4.Qh5+ Kf8 5.exf5 Nc6; Black castles long and throws pawns on the kingside.
Historical & Practical Significance
Mike Basman introduced 1…g5 systems in the 1970s, while Palatnik analysed the additional …f5-push, turning the single pawn offer into a full-blooded double gambit. Although never accepted by mainstream theory, it has scored surprise upsets in club and online blitz arenas. The gambit embodies Basman’s philosophy: “If the opponent spends the first five minutes over the board, I have already won the psychological game.”
Sample Blitz Crush
The miniature above is a cautionary tale: after 1…g5 2.d4 f5?! careless play (2…f5??) allows the elegant 3.Qh5#. Correct play is therefore mandatory for both sides!
Fun Facts
- On online servers the line is sometimes dubbed “the two-fist punch” because both flank pawns swing forward like boxing arms.
- According to ChessBase’s MegaDatabase, fewer than 50 classical games have reached the critical position after 2…f5, yet Black’s practical score hovers around a respectable 45 %—testament to its surprise value.
- Basman once challenged juniors to “refute it over the board; textbooks can’t help you.” Many took the bait and lost in under 20 moves.