Yes. dump the Alapin. It will only get you so far. Open Sicilian is the way to go.
Should I learn another opening against the Sicilian? I currently play the alapin
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3 days ago
0
#3
They put it in "Really, bro?" for grandmasters. They put it in Legendary for intermediates. You're not a grandmaster. It's fine up until like 2000 probably. My main knock on the Alapin is that it's boring, but if you don't find it boring and are doing fine with it, keep playing it.
Worth noting that it is possible to dip your toe into the waters of the Open Sicilian. You can play 2. Nf3 and if they play 2...e6 or 2...Nc6 I'm pretty sure it's possible to transpose back into main lines of the Alapin with 3. c3. Against 2...d6, 3. c3 leads into novel territory. So if you want to, you can learn to play against the Najdorf and Dragon variations (and the Classical but you will probably see that very little at your rating) and keep playing the Alapin against everything else. This is not necessary at all to increase your rating, but it's a possibility.
After you get past 2500 FIDE, you may well have to switch from the Alapin to improve.
Mix it up, play the delayed Alapin. Make them think they are getting an Open Sicilian then play c3. How much different can it be?
3 days ago
0
#6
I find the Alapin is a solid opening, I used to play it around a year ago. However, I have since moved to an open sicilian with b3 in some lines(something i've been experimenting with). I found that at my level 1700 rapid the alapin rarely gets me good positions.
ChanMan4 wrote:
As a player trying to reach 1500 and beyond, I'm unsure on whether I should continue on maining the Alapin vs the Sicilian. I watched a video of Hikaru and GothamChess ranking chess openings and put it in the Really, bro? section where they said it wasn't that good. Currently at 1300 level I'm seeing the sicilian defense A LOT and I think I do need a solid opening against it. Alapin is doing pretty good for me right now, but as I climb up the rating ladder, is it necessary to learn a new opening vs Sicilian? If it is, please give me some recommendations on some openings against it
Other than trying to follow what Hikaru and GothamChess are suggesting, do you have any reasons to switch away from the Alapin?
When you play the Alapin, do you understand the positions that you encounter? Do you enjoy playing the Alapin? If your answer to my last two questions are no, then I'd consider making a switch.
From a practicality standpoint, against an opening as vast as the Sicilian, I'd rather play an anti-line like the Alapin (And count on being prepared to play positions that I understand), than prepare a response against every main line option of the Open Sicilian that black can play. That way, I can focus my time developing more important skills until my opening choice starts to become an issue.
If you don't like, score well with, or feel like you understand the Alapin, then work on making a switch. Otherwise, it might be best to stick with the Alapin and slowly expand your responses to the Sicilian in the future.
If want something to vary with the Alapin, you could play the Smith-Morra Gambit. It's fine through that level and beyond. If your opponnent declines the gambit, you'll probably be back in familiar Alapin territory.
2 days ago
0
#10
DONT PLAY THE SICILIAN 🚨!! You are wasting your time for improvement! Why not play the Sicilian? It’s HEAVY theory! You want to avoid heavy theory openings so you can spend less time on openings and more time on REAL improvement! Avoid the Sicilian!
2 days ago
0
#11
Oh you were saying what to play AGAINST the Sicilian, my bad. I suggest the Grand Prix. Free wins, easy ideas.
Don’t listen to these tissue of lies, OP!
The Alapin Sicilian is trash!
The Alapin Sicilian gives Black the Draw or Win!
You are just throwing away the Whites when you play the Alapin!
There is only 2 lines for White!
- Open Sicilian
Or
- Closed Sicilian
When thousands of fans are cheering your name in an audience, when millions of dollars are on the line for the winner of the tournament, when you can be immortalized with the title of World Chess Champion, What line would you play to give yourself the best chance to beat the Sicilian Defense?
When Fame, Money, and Glory are on the line, The Best Chess Players in the world never picked the Alapin!
All the Chess Openings in the World to chose from and they didn’t pick Alapin!
There is a difference between playing something for fun and just messing around
vs.
Playing with your reputation and livelihood on the line
If you want to mess around, Then fine - Go ahead play the Alapin!
BUT make no mistake about it!
The Alapin has never been a serious line!
———————————
I wish it wasn’t the case because it would certainly make things more interesting in high level chess!
But that is just the way the cookie crumbles!
2 days ago
0
#15
Play the alapin. If you get bored, try the delayed alapin or smith morra. The alapin IS good but not the best anti Sicilian, so I think the Smith morra works.
2 days ago
0
#16
Strayaningen wrote:
... My main knock on the Alapin is that it's boring...
This.
At your level your main concern should be improving your play, not defeating the other 1400s.
Playing one game after another with one specific central Pawn structure will help you get used to that structure, and will help you beat the other 1400s... but it will also slow your growth as a chess player. You will learn more quickly if you are exposed to a wider variety of positions, and especially a wider variety of central formations.
Also, the Alapin is not noted for its tactics. The Open Sicilian is. And tactics is one of the most important areas to work on at your level.
2 days ago
0
#17
Ok so I should learn a different anti-Sicilian, if it improves my skill faster? So currently I'm thinking
1. Open Sicilian
2. Grand Prix
3. Smith-Morra Gambit
Is there one specific one that is best?
All of those are great. I would say that the Smith-Morra is quite aggressive, and depending on the kind of player you are, you might not want to move that fast. The Open Sicilian is a good choice. Although, it does allow some advantages for black if you screw up early. Grand Prix is solid. I would recommend that one the most out of all your options. It’s typically less complex and keeps more focus on the center, which is good if you don’t want to worry about “not playing the best move” putting you in the red.
ChanMan4 wrote:
Ok so I should learn a different anti-Sicilian, if it improves my skill faster? So currently I'm thinking
1. Open Sicilian
2. Grand Prix
3. Smith-Morra Gambit
Is there one specific one that is best?
If you looking for the best response to the Sicilian, your choice is going to be #1 and the alternatives aren't even close.
You’re forgetting the Closed Sicilian!
As a chess player that considers myself as a Closed Sicilian specialist, I have to mention the Closed Sicilian!
The Grand Prix Attack can be played using the Closed Sicilian move order as well!
- The Open Sicilian is more tactical usually
- The Closed Sicilian is more positional usually
It really depends on your play style, but in your case you have been playing the Alapin.
The Alapin is generally more positional which is why I have been saying Closed Sicilian
Do you like Fianchetto lines?
Or Closed Positions with a lot of maneuvering?
Or Strategic Game play?
As a player trying to reach 1500 and beyond, I'm unsure on whether I should continue on maining the Alapin vs the Sicilian. I watched a video of Hikaru and GothamChess ranking chess openings and put it in the Really, bro? section where they said it wasn't that good. Currently at 1300 level I'm seeing the sicilian defense A LOT and I think I do need a solid opening against it. Alapin is doing pretty good for me right now, but as I climb up the rating ladder, is it necessary to learn a new opening vs Sicilian? If it is, please give me some recommendations on some openings against it