Sicilian Alapin: 2...Nf6, 5.cxd4 Nc6 6.Nf3
Sicilian: Alapin
Definition
The Alapin Variation is a branch of the Sicilian Defence that begins 1. e4 c5 2. c3. By delaying the development of the king’s knight, White immediately prepares the central advance d2–d4 while limiting Black’s counter-play based on …d5 or …b5. It is named after the Russian theoretician Semyon Alapin (1856-1923), one of the earliest masters to conduct systematic opening analysis.
Typical Move-Order
Several reply schemes are available to Black:
- 2…d5 (the most direct challenge)
- 2…Nf6 (the subject of the next section)
- 2…e6 intending …d5 or a restrained Scheveningen-style setup
- 2…g6 aiming for a fianchetto and hyper-modern pressure on d4
Strategic Ideas
- Controlled centre: White often succeeds in erecting a broad pawn centre with e4 and d4, then decides whether to keep or exchange it.
- Reduced theory: Compared with the Open Sicilian (2. Nf3 and 3. d4), the Alapin sidesteps the huge body of main-line Sicilian theory and forces Black into less familiar structures.
- Isolated pawn positions: After …cxd4 followed by cxd4, White frequently obtains an isolated queen’s pawn (IQP) on d4, leading to dynamic piece play.
- Endgame pull: If the centre locks, the space advantage and healthier pawn structure give White pleasant endgames.
Historical & Theoretical Notes
The variation remained a side-line until the 1980s, when players such as Evgeny Sveshnikov and Sergey Tiviakov adopted it as a main weapon. In contemporary chess it enjoys renewed popularity thanks to rapid & blitz specialists who appreciate its strategic clarity and surprise value.
Illustrative Game
Short-Kasparov, Linares 1993, showed the system’s bite when White neutralised one of the world’s greatest Sicilian experts.
The game ends in an overwhelming bind that forced Kasparov to split the point.
Interesting Facts
- Semyon Alapin also has systems named after him in the Ruy López and the French Defence—proof of his encyclopedic approach to opening theory.
- Magnus Carlsen used the Alapin as early as age 13 and still wheels it out in tiebreaks, underscoring its practical value.
2…Nf6 (in the Alapin)
Definition
After 1. e4 c5 2. c3, the move 2…Nf6 directly attacks the e4-pawn and provokes White to advance it. This aggressive choice is sometimes called the “Foxy” or “Hyper-Accelerated” Variation because Black forgoes the typical Sicilian pawn thrusts in favour of piece activity.
Plan and Usage
- Immediate pressure: 3. e5 chases the f6-knight to d5, gaining space but giving Black a stable outpost.
- Rapid development: Black usually continues …d6, …Nc6, and sometimes …g6, placing pieces on active squares while White’s centre becomes a potential target.
- Counter-punch vs. structure: White often emerges with an IQP after d4 and cxd4, whereas Black strives to blockade that pawn.
Theoretical State
Modern engines evaluate the line as roughly equal, but positions remain richly unbalanced, making it attractive to players who enjoy dynamic manoeuvres rather than rote memorisation.
Example Line
Main sequence leading into the next term:
Notable Games
- Caruana – Vachier-Lagrave, Wijk aan Zee 2015 (rapid): White crashed through on the kingside after a speculative pawn sacrifice.
- Kamsky – Anand, Candidates 1994: Demonstrated Black’s resilience and strategic counter-play.
Interesting Nuggets
- Grandmaster Sergei Rublevsky famously built an entire repertoire around 2…Nf6, scoring over 70 % with Black in elite events between 2000-2007.
- The line can transpose to Caro-Kann structures (after …d5) or French-like positions, giving it “chameleon” qualities.
5.cxd4 Nc6 6.Nf3
Context & Definition
This precise move sequence arises from the 2…Nf6 Alapin:
1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3.
After White recaptures on d4 with the c-pawn, the symmetrical pawn structure is shattered, leaving White with an isolated pawn on d4 and Black with a knight firmly planted on d5. The developing move 6. Nf3 both defends the d4-pawn and prepares to castle.
Strategic Features
- Isolated queen’s pawn (IQP): White’s d4-pawn grants space and open lines but is a long-term weakness.
- Outpost on d5: Black’s knight enjoys a central stronghold that can become permanent if White ever plays d4-d5.
- Piece activity vs. structure: White aims for rapid piece deployment (Nc3, Bc4, 0-0) and potential kingside attacks; Black targets exchanges to exploit the pawn weakness.
Typical Continuations
- 6…d6 7. Nc3 Nxc3 8. bxc3 dxe5 9. Nxe5 when both sides have activity and chances.
- 6…e6 7. Nc3 d6 8. Nxd5 exd5 9. Qb3 aiming at d5 and b7.
- 6…g6 7. Nc3 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Bg7 9. h4!? favoured in blitz for sharp play.
Model Game
Tiviakov – Korneev, Pamplona 2004 illustrates White’s attacking chances:
[[Pgn|1.e4|c5|2.c3|Nf6|3.e5|Nd5|4.d4|cxd4|5.cxd4|Nc6|6.Nf3|d6|7.Nc3|Nxc3|8.bxc3|g6|9.Bc4|Bg7|10.exd6|Qxd6|11.O-O|0-0|12.Re1|Bg4|13.h3|Bxf3|14.Qxf3|Rac8|15.Bb3|b5|16.Bf4|Qd7|17.Rad1|e6|18.d5|exd5|19.Rxd5|Qb7|20.Bd6|Rfd8|21.Rc5|Rxd6|22.Rxc6|Rxc6|23.Bd5|and Black soon collapsed.Historical Note
This exact structure was heavily analysed in the mid-1990s by Gata Kamsky’s camp during his FIDE World Championship run against Anatoly Karpov, leading to fresh ideas for both sides.
Anecdotes & Trivia
- The position after 6. Nf3 has appeared over 6,000 times in grandmaster databases—more than any other single Alapin tabiya.
- An amusing blitz clip shows Hikaru Nakamura mumbling “classic IQP, let’s go!” right before unleashing a rook sacrifice on f7 in this very line.