Congrats BobbyPhisher so far you have the honor of being the only individual to have a win against the Alapin posted on this thread. Below is the daily unrated game we played. Obviously white had a big advantage out of the opening, as black chose to play a variation where he sacrifices a pawn for the initiative. This variation is known to grandmasters to have insufficeint compensation for black, but here black was able to wiggle his way through somehow.
... and I will continue on to show why 2. e5 and 2. Nf6 loses over the next couple days as promised
"In my opinion the Sicilian Defense is busted. It loses by force. ..." - staples (#1, August 27, 2018)
"... Black has 2 main move , 2...d5, ... and 2...Nf6 ..." - UzayAltay (#12, August 27, 2018)
"... I think you should back up your claim with more reasons why 2...d5 or 2...Nf6 might fail for Black. ..." - wiahwib (#32, August 27, 2018)
"... Yes d5 and nf6 do provide much stiffer resistance than any of black's other responses. I, however, believe black is still lost even after these moves. I will post an analysis shortly." - staples13 (#38, August 27, 2018)
"... I’m gonna analyze nf6 ..." - staples13 (#74, August 29, 2018)
"Try your opening against latest Stockfish on your desktop, give SF 1 min per move thinking time. Post your pgn at move 12. Let me know whether black is busted or not!! ..." - drmrboss (#110, September 1, 2018)
"Here's my game with Stockfish. It wasn't able to equalize against my Alapin and its position is probably lost. ... Admittedly I couldn’t figure out how to download stockfish so I had to guess as to what moves stockfish would have played, but I think I probably got it right" - staples13 (#114-5, September 1, 2018)
Oh thank you both. I very much respect Sveshnikov as he is a great practitioner of the Alapin.
I don’t think he’s claiming that dxc5 is a bad move I think what he’s claiming is that Nf3 is even stronger and an easier more direct path to victory. I have not analyzed this Nf3 line as I don’t play it, but I’m sure GM Sveshnikov is correct that it’s a very strong move
I looked at his games and yes my suspicion was correct. Sveshnikov frequently plays 5. dxc5, and with great results.
He thinks that while both are winning 5. Nf3 simply leads to an easier win
Staples: Here's a reality check. THE ALAPIN DOES NOT DESTROY THE SICILIAN. Its good, sure, but not great. Your opening principles that you state in your first post, the alapin ALSO violates said principles. And yeah, it tells black to shut up about his dreams of d4, don't you think, by your opening principles, the closed sicilian is better don't you think? Black cant have an open d4, you have a developed piece, AND as for d4 in itself, defending it can wait, as NOBODY would play c4? (aiming for cxd4 then dxc3). Think about it
BTW I have no idea where you get your hate from, check this out for the 2. Nf3 sicilian:
VS 
See? In your vein, it is ALREADY busted
Staples: Here's a reality check. THE ALAPIN DOES NOT DESTROY THE SICILIAN. Its good, sure, but not great. Your opening principles that you state in your first post, the alapin ALSO violates said principles. And yeah, it tells black to shut up about his dreams of d4, don't you think, by your opening principles, the closed sicilian is better don't you think? Black cant have an open d4, you have a developed piece, AND as for d4 in itself, defending it can wait, as NOBODY would play c4? (aiming for cxd4 then dxc3). Think about it
Good post thanks for contributing! This is a common misconception so I'm glad you brought it up. The problem for black is that c5 doesn't achieve anything if white refuses to allow his d pawn to be exchanged for black's c pawn. The move c3 forever solidifies white's control of the center, and this domination of the center combined with white's easier development (because c5 doesnt open a bishop) ultimately decides the game
Uhuh, but how is that better than Nc3, which I find to be more flexible?
BTW, some people think you are a troll. I disagree. While I ALSO disagree that c3 destroys the sicilian, Nf3 is equally good. In your view, c3 might be better, but well, that's your prowess at that opening (and the fact that nobody expects c3), the same way Nf3 people learned that and are great at Nf3, but go from winning to drawing when they play c3 (and vice versa)
Staples, no I do not mean Nf3. For white, closed sicilian all the way (Nc3), but how is c3 better than my preference? Is it something to do with Nbd2? Because those things (Nbd2/7, Nfd2/7, Nce2/7 and Nge2/7) I cannot understand
Its not that Nf3 is such a horrible idea. It's just inaccurate because it gives black drawing chances. The idea is that white will immediately open the center and do so with greater development. This is the same concept as in the Alapin the only difference is that the Alapin maintains control of the center and leads to more rapid development. The Open Sicilian gives up control of the center while enjoying rapid development.
Im glad you have good success with 2. Nc3.
I don't know anything about that line so I'll defer to your expertise on whether or not white can get an advantage in that line, but I can't personally recommend it because I want my pawn on c3 not my knight
Hmm, and while we're at it. what's c4 for? black hasn't committed to your opening choice, and still, would c6 still be "the best" or is there better, as there is no pawn on e5?
Im glad you have good success with 2. Nc3.
I don't know anything about that line so I'll defer to your expertise on whether or not white can get an advantage in that line, but I can't personally recommend it because I want my pawn on c3 not my knight
Why pawn though? for d4 (though definitely not that) and stuff? And BTW, notice I'm a 700, so DO NOT trust my expertise (especially since at this level, black is "afraid" to play c5 as its "different" from e5)
At 700 level though, openings don't matter. What does is that YOU shouldn't make blunders while simultaneously capitalise on you OPPONENT's blunders. I know this sounds obvious to anone above 1300 or so, but you should constantly remind yourself this, as "not punning bad play" can extend well into 1600 territory
Blitz is sometimes luck we need SOLID ANALYSIS.