Isn’t the the point of c3 to capture on d4 giving white a two pawn center?
When is c4-d5 okay in the 2...d5 Alapin?
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The only way that looks to be remotely possible is if you can make the c4 push without the d4 pawn being captured immediately or after a Zwischenzug (in between move) like a queen check. I'm assuming that the starting move order is 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5. Moves that would follow for black are Nc6 and Bg4 increasing the pressure on the d4 pawn.
SlimeRancher999 wrote:
Probably after 4. d4 Nc6 5. Nf3.
Okay. In that position black can either eliminate the possibility of the c4-d5 push by playing 5...cxd4, Develop the bishop to g4/f5 to make the c4-d5 push very problematic for white, or make a move like 5...e6, 5...Nf6 or 5..g6 where the c4-d5 push is possible but not the best.
The nature of the game is defined by what happens to the d4 pawn. The most common move after 5.Nf3 is 5...Bg4 increasing the pressure on the d4 pawn by threatening to remove a defender. 6.c4? is a mistake because black will interject with a queen check on e4/e6 then safely take the pawn or increase the pressure on white with a move like 0-0-0. The pin on the f3 knight by the bishop and the pin on the d-pawn by the d8 rook are the keys to black gaining a clear advantage.
Mar 21, 2024
0
#6
If Black plays an early Nc6 combined with Bg4 the c4/d5 sequence can be a dangerous weapon for white. Therefore Black usually takes on d4 early in this variation but that has some other minor drawbacks.
If you play the Alapin directly with 2.c3 some black players opt to hold back Nc6 for a while preferring going Nf6/e6 first (after Bg4) to avoid that.
This is why some white Alapin players go for the Alapin with 2. Nf3 and after 2. Nc6 go c3. But they in turn have to have something ready if black goes 2…d6, as then 3.c3 Nf6 is somewhat problematic.
If you play the Alapin directly with 2.c3 some black players opt to hold back Nc6 for a while preferring going Nf6/e6 first (after Bg4) to avoid that.
This is why some white Alapin players go for the Alapin with 2. Nf3 and after 2. Nc6 go c3. But they in turn have to have something ready if black goes 2…d6, as then 3.c3 Nf6 is somewhat problematic.
@6
"if black goes 2…d6, as then 3.c3 Nf6 is somewhat problematic."
++ It is not problematic: 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 c3 Nf6 4 Be2 and e4 is indirectly defended by Qa4+.
Mar 21, 2024
0
#8
@ 7
Maybe problematic isn’t the right word. You just don’t get your normal positions like after 2.c3 Nf6 3. e5. I have extensive experience with the system you outlined, but was never really all that happy.
You can of course also play the Moscow or the Open Sicilian.
Bottom line is that you have to prepare something different than the classical Alapin for 2…d6 - which I did. I usually play the delayed Alapin.
Maybe problematic isn’t the right word. You just don’t get your normal positions like after 2.c3 Nf6 3. e5. I have extensive experience with the system you outlined, but was never really all that happy.
You can of course also play the Moscow or the Open Sicilian.
Bottom line is that you have to prepare something different than the classical Alapin for 2…d6 - which I did. I usually play the delayed Alapin.
I usually play the Alapin against the Sicilian, and against 2..d5-3...Qxd5, when is c4-d5(pushing the queen and possibly knight back) good? Thanks.