The alpin is a strong opening aganist the sicilian.

It gives white a benifet that will keep ur advantage.

I agree the Alapin is great!

Then you should join my tournament!!!

 http://www.chess.com/tournament/alapin-open

I would love to join the alapin tourney BUT I am already in 3 thematic tournies !  YIKES ! They must stop all these thematic tournies or else I am gonna have 100 games going!!

I have been thinking of taking up the Alapin. What are typical positions/strategies for both sides? If it is so good, why is it not the main line of the sicilian?

Feldmm1 wrote: I have been thinking of taking up the Alapin. What are typical positions/strategies for both sides? If it is so good, why is it not the main line of the sicilian?

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Its ok, scoring about 52% but 2 Nf3 also scores 52% so, its a matter of style/tastes really.

Yeah.  I play the Closed/Grand Prix.  The Alapin is fine if you like having an isolated pawn.  Think twice if you don't.

I think it is fantastic!

Here is one line my opening book gives. I play the Morra-Smith gambit which can transpose into the Alapin. From my experience it isn't quite as sharpe as other lines of the Sicilian (although the line posted is rather interesting, but I doubt an amateur would ever play this line). My games have been more positional than tactical, no crazy attacks. White often ends up with an isolated pawn, but it's not a real weakness at least initially. I think because it is much quieter then other lines is the reason it's not played as much. Interestingly Deep Blue scored it's first win against Kasparov playing the Alapin.

My thoery is 4.Nf3! A excelllent move which contains the advantage and is a suprising move!

well...i dont think this opening is very good cause Nb1 cant move in a square close to the center [except d2 bloking the Bc1]

so,much beter is Nf3 without any problems 

But then sveshinikov is annoying。

ster14 the b1  Knight doesn't have to get blocked in.

1.e4 c5

2.c3 Nf6

3.e5 Nd5

4.d4 cxd4

5.cxd4

Now the Knight is free to move to c3  

...I dont think so

2. Nf3 is good but requires too much theory.  I play 2. Nc3, but Alapin is also good.

Only 4 more spots in the 100 player Sicilian Alapin tournament left!

Use Orejano's link above to join

2. Nc3!!

that last game seemed so much like the ponziani but then i relised the c pawn was moved!

Stop talkin of topic.