Pushing e5 without support
After 3.e5 the pawn needs d4 and Nf3 behind it. Without them, ...d6 breaks it up.
Opening guide · White against the Sicilian
How to play the Alapin Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.c3
The Alapin meets 1...c5 with 2.c3, preparing d4 and a full pawn centre. White avoids the Open Sicilian’s theory and gets a clear plan from move two.
- Lines to play
- 5
- Quiz positions
- 6
Learn the Alapin Sicilian move by move
You play White. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.
Key ideas
Prepare d4
- c3 supports d4 so that after ...cxd4 White can recapture with a pawn and keep two pawns in the centre.
Gain space against ...Nf6
- 2...Nf6 attacks e4; 3.e5 chases the knight to d5 and White builds with Nf3 and d4.
Use the tempo on the queen
- After 2...d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4, Black’s queen is centralised but White develops with Nf3, Be3 or Na3 and gains time.
Isolated pawn positions
- Many lines give White an isolated d-pawn. It brings open lines and active pieces; play for the attack before the endgame.
The main lines
2...Nf6 3.e5 Nd5
1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 e6 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 d6
White gains space and recaptures on d4 with a pawn.
2...Nf6 with ...Nc6
1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bc4 Nb6 6.Bb3 d5
Bc4 pushes the knight back to b6; the bishop retreats to b3.
2...d5 3.exd5 Qxd5
1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 cxd4 6.cxd4 Bg4
The queen comes out; White builds the centre with d4 and Nf3.
2...e6
1.e4 c5 2.c3 e6 3.d4 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+ Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4
A French-style answer; Bb5+ develops with tempo.
2...Qa5
1.e4 c5 2.c3 Qa5 3.g3 b5 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.Ne2 f5 6.d4 cxd4
Black stops d4 for now; White fianchettoes and plays d4 later.
Find the move
6 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.
Position 1 of 6
1.e4 c5
The ideaPrepare d4.
Find the move for White.
Common mistakes
Trading into a bad isolated pawn
If the pieces come off, the isolated d-pawn becomes a weakness. Keep pieces on the board.
Chasing the queen with nothing to show
Gain time on Black’s queen with developing moves, not pawn moves that weaken your king.
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
How do I learn the Alapin Sicilian?
Play it, one move at a time. The trainer on this page explains each White move before you play it, then asks you to play the line from memory. Read the main lines and traps, test yourself in the quiz, then play it in your games. The Alapin Bulldozer teaches every line, with spaced review so the moves stay with you.
Is the Alapin a good answer to the Sicilian?
Yes. It is sound, avoids the main Open Sicilian theory and gives White a clear centre. Many club players use it as their only anti-Sicilian.
What is the best reply to the Alapin?
2...Nf6 and 2...d5 are the main answers. Both attack e4 at once, before White can play d4.
Is the Alapin the same as the Smith-Morra Gambit?
No. In the Smith-Morra White plays 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 and gives a pawn. In the Alapin c3 comes first and White recaptures on d4.
Learn every line of the Alapin Sicilian
The Alapin Bulldozer teaches it as a repertoire: 33 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.
A free account also reviews your games and shows where you left the lines. Sign up