Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. c3/2...d5/3. exd5

Alapin Sicilian B22 Sicilian defence → Alapin → 2..d5 3. exd5 White takes the pawn. 3...Qxd5, the Barman variation, is the main move. Because of the pawn on c3, White doesn't have Nc3 to kick the queen away and from d5 can assist in ideas such as ...Bg4. The main continuation is 4. d4, where Black has several options. Black usually delays playing ...cxd4 to avoid freeing the c3 square for White's knight. 3...Nf6 is an alternative, the anti-Alapin gambit. Black prepares to take back the pawn with the knight instead. This is a gambit in that White is given the opportunity to defend d5 instead, 4. c4, but after 4...e6 5. dxe6 Bxe6 Black has compensation. More commonly White plays 4. d4 and allows 4...Nxd4. Theory table References See also