Chess opening · ECO B22
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
2.c3 is the Alapin. White prepares d4 so that, if Black trades on d4, a pawn recaptures and White keeps two center pawns. The cost is that c3 is no longer free for a knight. Black uses that fact with the two main answers, ...d5 and ...Nf6, both of which attack e4 right away.
- Rank by weighted share
- #65 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 c5 2. c3
- 2. c3The c3 pawn supports d4. It also takes away c3 from White's queen knight, so Nc3 can no longer defend e4 and a black queen on d5 cannot be hit by Nc3.
The knight jump to d5
After 2...Nf6, the e4 pawn is attacked and Nc3 is not possible. White usually pushes 3.e5 and the knight goes to d5. From there play often goes 4.d4 cxd4 and either Nf3 or cxd4.
The pawn on e5 gains space, while the knight on d5 is centralized and Black can follow with ...d6 to challenge that pawn.
Taking on d5 with the queen
2...d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 puts the black queen in the center early. Usually that costs time to a knight on c3, but here the c3 pawn blocks that square. White typically plays d4 and Nf3, and Black develops around the queen. Against quieter replies such as ...d6 or ...e6, White simply follows with d4 and gets the two-pawn center the move was built for.
The ...Nf6 main line
2... Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. cxd4 d6
White has pawns on d4 and e5, and Black's knight sits on d5. Black's ...d6 challenges the e5 pawn, and the c6 knight adds pressure on d4.
Top replies by rating
Nc6 tops the bands below 1800. From 1800 up, d5 takes the lead, and Nf6 returns to the top three at 2000 and up.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Nc6 30% | d6 24% | Nf6 19% |
| 1200–1399 | Nc6 33% | d6 24% | e6 16% |
| 1400–1599 | Nc6 35% | d6 18% | e6 17% |
| 1600–1799 | Nc6 32% | e6 16% | d6 16% |
| 1800–1999 | d5 24% | Nc6 22% | e6 15% |
| 2000 and up | d5 36% | Nf6 23% | e6 16% |
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.