What are you playing against 2.c3? According to the Explorer, there are 6 games in your Explorer database and you have played 2..Nc6, 2..d6 and even 2..e5.
Why don't you try 2..Nf6 hitting the undefended e pawn? That's the main move against the Alapin.
Be sure to look at some games Your knight will get chased around.
Im pretty sure 2. d5 is very common against the Alapin and is reasonably aggressive. I believe that is what Tal liked to play against the Alapin, so you can be sure it is not passive by any means, however if I was you I would avoid the Sicilian Defense completely if you aren't rated like 2000+ or something crazy like that, because it is mainly popular due to it being statistically the hardest defense against 1. e4 for masters to win against, and there is a TON of theory in pretty much every Sicilian, so if you are below the 2000 level it may not be worthwile for you to learn a ton of theory that your opponent will not know any of, because that will just leave you confused at the board. Im not too strong of a player myself which is why I also don't play any Sicilian Defense.
Coming from a player who plays alapin, There are a ton of moves to play, but the 2 most common moves are:
1)Nf6 (i play Sicilian as well and I play this against Alapin)
2)D5 (solid choice as well)
Other moves can be used but Nf6 can lead to interesting games if you play it right.
You could play 2. ... d5 3. exd5 Nf6 and offer a gambit e.g. after 4. c4 e6. It is playable and gives compensation for the pawn as you can prevent white to go d4 for some time.
If white doesn't go c4 you will get a normal position with knight on d5 instead of the queen.
I've been recently looking at how to counter the Alapin, you should probably always play 2... d5. If you're an aggressive player the I advise you to play 3... Qxd5 but if you want a more quiet game the play 3... Nf6 (there isn't much theory on this line though).
You could play 2. ... d5 3. exd5 Nf6 and offer a gambit e.g. after 4. c4 e6. It is playable and gives compensation for the pawn as you can prevent white to go d4 for some time.
If white doesn't go c4 you will get a normal position with knight on d5 instead of the queen.
I think this is the only good response, and the perfect line for you.
Black plays an icelandic gambit, with c5 for free : is it an improved Icelandic?
I don't know but it is worth a try.
Other answers doesn't really answer your question...
The best way to play against the Alapin is to try to transpose it into a French Defense. While still probably lost this strategy gives you the best chance to draw. Everything else loses very quickly
No, it's a forced win for White.
No, it's a forced win for White.
Very true. Excellent post
Issue is, I can't find anything against the Alapin that doesn't end up a boring drawing game. The whole reason I started playing the Sicilian was to get an exciting, aggressive game. Instead I feel like I'm playing against the French.
is there a playable gambit against the alapin? Specifically, for a 1400-1500 rated player. It doesn't have to be great, but at least gives me a playable and competitive game. The reti gambit against the French, the hillbilly attack against the Caro-kan, or the Dutch against d4 would be good examples of what I'm looking for.