Sicilian Defence: Alapin, 2...d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6
Sicilian Defence: Alapin Variation, 2…d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6
Definition
The position reached after the moves
1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6
constitutes one of the main branches of the Alapin Variation of the
Sicilian Defence. White deliberately avoids the maze of sharp Open
Sicilian theory (2.Nf3 followed by 3.d4) by building a broad pawn centre
with c3 and d4. Black replies with the immediate
central strike 2…d5, accepting an isolated-queen deployment after
3.exd5 Qxd5 in order to keep the game dynamic and prevent White’s ideal
pawn duo on e4–d4 from advancing unhindered.
Typical Move Order
Strategic Ideas
- For White
- Build a strong central presence with Nf3, c3–d4, Bd3 and aim for an eventual d4–d5 space-gaining break.
- Exploit Black’s early queen development by developing rapidly with tempo moves such as Nb1–c3.
- Choose between structures:
- IQP style – keep a pawn on d4 and play for piece activity.
- Exchange style – trade on c5 (after …cxd4) borrowing patterns from the French Exchange.
- For Black
- Counterattack the centre quickly with …e6, …cxd4 and pressure the half-open c-file.
- Develop harmoniously: …Nf6, e6, Be7, 0-0 or the more combative …Bf5/Bg4.
- Capitalize on the temporarily exposed white king (after 0-0-0 ideas) and the flexible queen already on d5, which may reroute to a5, d6 or h5.
Historical Notes
• Named after the Russian theorist Semyon Alapin
(1856-1923), who proposed 2.c3 as early as the 1880s.
• The 2…d5 line was popularized in the mid-1990s by players such as
Evgeny Sveshnikov and Sergei Rublevsky as a reliable
equalizing weapon.
• Today it is part of the regular repertoire of elite grandmasters.
Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana and Anish Giri have all defended it
successfully in top-level events.
Illustrative Game
Caruana – Karjakin, FIDE Candidates 2016
1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Na3!? a6 7.Nc4 Nbd7
8.Ne3 Qc6 9.Be2 b5 ≈ Black equalised and later won after 38
moves. The game shows how Black’s flexible queen manoeuvres and timely
…cxd4 neutralise White’s central ambitions.
Typical Middlegame Plans
- White breaks: d4–d5, c3–c4, sometimes f2–f4 to seize kingside space.
- Black counters: …cxd4 followed by …e6-e5, undermining d4; or …b7-b6 and …Bb7, eyeing e4.
- Minor-piece battles often revolve around the squares e4, d5, c4 and f5.
Interesting Facts
- The early queen sortie 3…Qxd5 is one of the few modern openings where grandmasters willingly move the queen twice in the opening and still feel completely sound.
- If White plays 5.dxc5 instead of 5.Nf3, the game can transpose into an improved variation of the French Defence Exchange—yet Black retains active piece play.
- According to Mega-Database statistics, this line scores almost exactly 50 % for both colours, making it one of the most “honest” openings in modern praxis.
Common Tactical Motifs
• Queen traps: After careless moves like 5.Nf3? Bg4 6.Be2 cxd4
7.cxd4, the move 7…Nc6! can suddenly threaten Qxd4 winning a
pawn.
• Forks on b5/c7: The knight manoeuvre Nb1–c3–b5
sometimes hits c7 in conjunction with a bishop on f4 or g5.