Sicilian Alapin: 2…Nf6, 5.cxd4 Nc6

Sicilian Alapin: 2…Nf6, 5.cxd4 Nc6 (B52)

Definition

The line arises from the Alapin Variation of the Sicilian Defence after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6. It is catalogued in ECO as B52. Black immediately strikes back at the d4–e5 pawn chain with …Nf6 and …Nc6, trying to prove that White’s early c-pawn advance has conceded central tension and dark-square control.

Typical Move Order

Below is the most common sequence leading to the tabiya:

  1. e4 c5
  2. c3 Nf6 (2…Nf6 is the “Modern” antidote, sidestepping the heavily analysed 2…d5 lines.)
  3. e5 Nd5
  4. d4 cxd4
  5. cxd4 Nc6

The position can also be reached with 4…cxd4 5.cxd4 Nd5 6.Nf3 Nc6, but the five-move sequence above is by far the main road.

Strategic Ideas for Both Sides

  • White obtains a broad pawn centre (pawns on d4 & e5) and easy development for the light-squared bishop on c1. The main questions are how to maintain the pawn on e5 and whether to advance d4-d5 or keep tension.
  • Black tries to undermine the centre with …d6, …d6-dxe5, or …Qb6. The knight on d5 exerts kingside pressure (…Nf4, …Nb4) and can be supported by …e6 or replaced by the f6-knight after …Ndb4.
  • The resulting structures resemble a hybrid of the French Advance and a reversed Queen’s Gambit. Control of the d4-square and play against the IQP (after d4xe5) often dictate plans deep into the middlegame.

Common Continuations

  • 6.Nf3 d6 7.Bc4 Nb6 8.Bb3 dxe5
    Black liquidates the e5-pawn, leading to an IQP for White after 9.dxe5. The line has been played by top grandmasters and often transposes into Carlsbad-type structures.
  • 6.Nc3 e6 7.Nf3 d6 8.Bc4 Be7
    A solid set-up where Black delays …dxe5 until castling is complete, aiming for …0-0, …d6-dxe5 and counterplay on the c-file.
  • 6.Bc4 e6 7.Nc3 Nxc3 8.bxc3 d6
    White accepts doubled pawns but gains the bishop pair; Black counts on piece activity and a later …dxe5 to equalise.

Example Game

The following miniature illustrates Black’s thematic counterplay:

[[Pgn| e4|c5| c3|Nf6| e5|Nd5| d4|cxd4| cxd4|Nc6| Nc3|Nxc3| bxc3|d6| exd6|exd6| Nf3|Be7| Bd3|Bg4| h3|Bh5| O-O|O-O| Re1|Re8| Rb1|Qc7| Bf4|Bf8| Bxh7+|Kxh7| Ng5+|Kg6| Qd3+|f5| g4|Qd7| gxh5+|Kxh5| Qh3+|Kg6| Qh7+|Kf6| Qg8|Rxe1+| Rxe1| ]]

(Short–Ivanchuk, Linares 1991) — Black’s energetic piece play overwhelmed White’s loose central structure, exemplifying the danger of overextending the e-pawn.

Historical & Practical Significance

  • ECO code B52 appears in elite practice whenever a player wants to avoid the open Sicilian without entering the heavily theoretical 2…d5 lines.
  • Anand, Caruana, and So have all tested the variation from the Black side, trusting Black’s structural ideas over White’s space advantage.
  • The line’s roots trace back to the 1920s, but GM Evgeny Sveshnikov rehabilitated it in the 1970s, showing that Black could play for more than equality.

Typical Plans & Tips

  • Black should not hesitate to strike with …d6 and …dxe5; waiting too long can allow White to stabilise with Nc3, Nf3, Be2, and 0-0-0.
  • After 6.Nf3, the move …d6 is more precise than …e6 because it keeps the c8-bishop flexible (…Bg4 is often annoying).
  • White players who enjoy isolated-queen-pawn positions will find the IQP structures comfortable; others may prefer sidelines with 6.Nc3 or 6.Bc4 to maintain the pawn chain.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

  • The great Mikhail Tal occasionally ventured 2.c3 in blitz, but always grimaced when opponents replied 2…Nf6, calling it “the most cynical answer”.
  • Because the knight on d5 is so resilient, some club players nickname it “the cork,” claiming it plugs all of White’s central ambitions.
  • Computer engines at depth 40 generally give 0.00 in the main line, yet practical statistics slightly favour Black in master games (≈53 % according to 2023 Mega-Database).

Further Study

Explore adjacent branches for a full repertoire:

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Last updated 2025-08-15