Alapin: 2.c3 Nf6 is variation 1 of 6 in the Anti-Sicilians for Black course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO B22). It runs 24 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 …. White plays c3 to build a big centre with d4. Black attacks e4 at once with the knight. After e5 the knight jumps to d5, Black hits the e5 pawn and gets an easy game. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre and frees the queen and the bishop.
1... c5 – The Sicilian. Black fights for d4 with a side pawn.
2. c3 – The Alapin. White prepares d4, so that a trade on d4 lets the c-pawn take back.
2... Nf6 – Black attacks e4 at once. White has no knight on c3 to defend it.
3. e5 – White chases the knight and gains space.
3... Nd5 – The knight finds a strong square in the centre. It is hard to chase away from there.
4. d4 – White builds the centre.
4... cxd4 – Black trades the c-pawn for the d-pawn and opens the c-file.
5. Nf3 – White develops and waits to take back on d4.
5... Nc6 – Black develops and adds pressure on d4 and e5.
6. cxd4 – White takes back and keeps two pawns in the centre.
6... d6 – Black attacks the e5 pawn. Now the white centre has to answer.
7. Bc4 – The bishop attacks the d5 knight.
7... Nb6 – The knight steps back and hits the bishop. Black gains time.
8. Bb5 – The bishop pins the c6 knight, so the knight cannot defend e5.
8... dxe5 – Black opens the position and removes the e5 pawn.
The lesson goes on for 8 more moves, each with its explanation.
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