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The Anti-Sicilian Chronicles 1
The dangerous "Alapin Variation"
25/10/2021 – The Sicilian Defense is considered the most aggressive black chess opening versus 1. e4. Many World Champs have used it to win the title such as GM Gary Kasparov, GM Robert “Bobby Fischer and GM Mikhail Tal. Even super genius GM Judit Polgar’s Sicilian play is so entertaining to watch and learn. But the emergence of Anti-Sicilian variations in GM Level tournaments, Alapin 2. c3, now a perfect weapon to tame the wild Sicilian Defense.
Our featured two games explained why the Alapin variation is so cunning when both World Champ GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Welsey So attempted to win but with Alapin’s systematic approach and tactical flare, white successfully delivered. It’s just nice chess games to learn and be entertained as well. But coffee first…
CHESS BLOG No. 41 : Date: 25th October 2021
GM Wesley So: 2...Nf6 line
1st Game : Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 1)
The 2...Nf6 line is preferable to play against the Alapin set-up. However, In this game, black's delayed development and uncastled king is more than enough for the teen GM to take advantage and win against GM Wesley So.
GM Magnus Carlsen: 2...d5 line
2nd Game: Check diagram below (GAME VIEWER 2)
GM David Smerdon of Australia playing board 1 in 2016 Chess Olympiad had big shoes to fill. It's like a David vs Goliath match. But using his favorite Alapin 2..c3 versus World Champ GM Magnus Carsen, he controlled the position and had a chance to annihilate the black king. Luckily, black found a drawing move that forced a perpetual check.
GAME VIEWER 1
GAME VIEWER 2
ENDGAME CORNER - SOLVE THE PROBLEM BELOW
