Beat the Sicilian: Alapin - 2...Nc6 Knight Development

Main line

The chapter's main line, with the comments from the course.

1. 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nc6

   Black challenges our center thrust, but we're pushing d4 anyway.

2. 3. d4

   We claim the center and force Black to react to our space advantage.

3. 3... cxd4

   Black just gives up the center fight. We're already clearly better.

4. 4. cxd4

   We recapture and our central pawns control the board perfectly.

5. 4... d5

   Black tries to counter in the center but it's too little, too late.

6. 5. exd5 Qxd5

   Black has to bring the queen out early to recapture the pawn.

7. 6. Nf3

   We develop with purpose. Nc3 hits the queen next, then we can push d5 with force.

8. 6... Bg4

   Black pins our knight to create some counterplay against the d4 pawn.

9. 7. Nc3 Bxf3

   No real choice for Black. 7...Qd8 8.d5 Ne5 9.Nxe5 Bxd1 10.Bb5+ Qd7 11.Bxd7+ wins a piece.

10. 8. Nxd5 Bxd1 9. Nc7+

    Sweet fork! We attack the king and rook at the same time.

11. 9... Kd7 10. Nxa8 Bh5 11. d5

    We prepare for a potential Bb5+ check down the road.

12. 11... Nd4 12. Bf4

    Let's get the bishop out and prepare Nc7, giving our trapped knight an escape route.

Other chapters

• 2...d5 Center Strike
• 2...Nf6 Knight Challenge
• 2...e6, g6, d6, e5, a6 — Sidelines