How do you defend against the Alapin line in the Sicilian?

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smartykids
I lose to Alapin a lot of time, any suggestions?
kindaspongey

Possibly of interest:
Starting Out: The Sicilian, 2nd Edition
https://web.archive.org/web/20140627122350/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/hansen123.pdf
Anti-Sicilians: Move by Move
Sveshnikov vs. the Anti-Sicilians

https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9003.pdf
http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Sveshnikov-vs-The-Anti-Sicilians-76p3890.htm
Grandmaster Repertoire 6A - Beating the Anti-Sicilians by Vassilios Kotronias
http://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/BeatingtheAnti-Sicilians-excerpt.pdf

Homsar

This is what i like to do


do

toiyabe
BobbyTalparov wrote:

1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 White has a long pawn chain, but it is an illusion as it is difficult to defend. I have good results with this approach (it is also how I handle the Smith-Morra).

 

+1

Spikeywikey

e4 c5 c3 and move e6, your opponent will then usually go with d4 and you reply with d5, if your opponent moves e5, congratulations, you just changed Sicilian into French.

MetalRatel

 

smartykids
Thanks! It really helped
Michael-Holm

I try to transpose to the advance variation of the French Defense depending on the move order. I also like this gambit line:

 

Michael-Holm
BobbyTalparov wrote:
Vicariously-I wrote:

I try to transpose to the advance variation of the French Defense depending on the move order. I also like this gambit line:

 

I do not understand why a Sicilian player would want to make this transposition.  If you wanted to play the French, why play 1. c5 to begin with?

I love playing against the advance variation of the French but I don't like starting with e6 as White can play the exchange variation. I like asymmetrical pawn structures to keep the game more dynamic.

PhillipTheTank

 FYI, as an Alapin player, I play 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 and find a lot of unprepared black players.