Yeah, I'm not sure how you can claim the sicilian isn't popular at the highest level lol. Easily the main line against e4
A Bust to the Sicilian Defense
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Oct 20, 2018
0
#383
BobbyPhisher960 wrote:
You mean fourth?
He doesn't need fourth, but 2... d6 is pretty good if Black wants to draw. Very solid.
d6 does not draw. In fact it loses pretty much immediately for the reasons that I posted last week. See my analysis there.
Anyhow, I score 72% wins 22% loss and 6 % draw against it in 149 blitz games. In fact d6 is the worst scoring common response to the Alapin.
Oct 20, 2018
0
#384
pfren wrote:
2...Qa5 is an interesting idea, which probably falls short, because white CAN play 3.d4! anyway: 3...cxd4 4.Bd2 is analysed by Esserman in "Mayhem in the Morra" as giving terrific compensation to white, and it seems to me that in this case his analysis is correct.
Good post! I think we can all agree 2. Qa5 is not a playable move
Oct 20, 2018
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#385
Here is a beautiful trap shown to me by Sibi 90, another Alapin player. The Alapin is rich with these kinds of tactics, traps, and pitfalls.
Oct 20, 2018
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#386
Here is Optimissed's crushing victory in the Alapin that he posted a link to. Notice how he played the move Na3! which I've been constantly stating is the key winning move in these 2. d5 lines. Here black can not handle white's rapid development and attack after Na3
I’m playing the Alapin in the big beginners tournament finals.
Oct 20, 2018
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#388
For sure white could and probably should have played Na3 earlier than he did but playing cxd4 doesn’t somehow magically stop the onslaught
Oct 20, 2018
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#389
I know a GM playing this. Black is slightly worse and somewhat passive, but very solid. But of course, a GM who drew Petrosian and Tal is only a random moron compared to you... XD
Obviously I have not claimed, nor would I ever claim that my strength is comparable to the all-time greats like Tal, Petrosian, or Semyon Alapin.
Anyhow I have not looked at that position too in depth, but it seems just awful for black at first glance. White is more developed, and has complete control of the center. 1-0
Oct 20, 2018
0
#390
pfren wrote:
staples13 έγραψε:
For sure white could and probably should have played Na3 earlier than he did but playing cxd4 doesn’t somehow magically stop the onslaught
Which onslaught are you dreaming of? Black has a clear advantage after 9...cxd4, dude.
10.Nb5 fails to Qf5!, 10.Nxd4 loses a pawn, while 10.cxd4 0-0 is a textbook example about how white should not treat his IQP: Two pieces (Na3, Bf4) stupidly placed.
Everyone always thinks that the knight is misplaced on a3 but its not. Its target square is usually b5 and that can be reached just as easily from a3 as c3
staples13 wrote:
It would have to be one strange looking Ruy Lopez
Lol
Oct 20, 2018
0
#393
Of all the posters here Bobby you have come the closest to showing that black can draw against the Alapin. (using your earlier idea to try to transpose into the French Defense with 2.e6.) The more we analyze the more and moreit looks like all other moves 2.d5 2.d6 2. Nc6 2.e5 2Qa5 all lose very quickly due to white's more rapid development, active bishops, and center control.
If this thread were a mathematical proof that the Alapin refutes the Sicilian then all that would remain now would be to show that this 2. e6 move also loses. Admittedly, the immediate and natural 3. d4 draws because of 3.d5 transposing into the French Defense. Fear not though I will search for a move to counteract this brilliant defense of yours
Oct 20, 2018
0
#394
Be honest. When you say it's a bust to the Sicilian, are we talking about a B or a C?
Heather_Stephens wrote:
Be honest. When you say it's a bust to the Sicilian, are we talking about a B or a C?
his name is BobbyPhisher960, not BoobyPhisher960
Oct 20, 2018
0
#397
Nf6 offers much stiffer resistance than d5. There are several games posted here with 2. Nf6 played I do believe, but I’ll post a couple more for completeness.
"In my opinion the Sicilian Defense is busted. It loses by force. ..." - staples13 (#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 (#73, August 29, 2018)
"... I will continue on to show why 2. e5 and 2. Nf6 loses over the next couple days as promised" - staples13 (#347, ~14 days ago)
staples13 wrote (~18 minutes ago):
Nf6 offers much stiffer resistance than d5. There are several games posted here with 2. Nf6 played I do believe, ...
Post numbers?
That’s an interesting game Optimissed. It’s not an Alapin game though. Perhaps your opponent would’ve done better if he had played the Alapin instead of the inaccurate 2. Nf3
"... There is no doubt in my mind that if you really want to test the Sicilian then you have to play the main lines of the Open Sicilian. ..." - GM John Nunn (2005)