Openings 1.e4 c5: the Sicilian
Alapin Sicilian (2.c3): Lines, Plans and Stats by Rating
2.c3 prepares d4 so that White can take back with a pawn and keep a full center. It avoids the huge theory of the Open Sicilian and is easy to learn.
B22Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
Games from this position (1600–1999): 59k
- 1.
- 2.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32% | 19k | ||
| 18% | 10k | ||
| 15% | 8,753 | ||
| 14% | 8,083 | ||
| 10% | 5,985 | ||
| 5% | 3,198 | ||
| 4% | 2,411 | ||
| 1% | 764 | ||
| 0.4% | 237 |
Plans for both sides
White
- Against 2...Nf6, push 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 and develop with Nf3, Bc4 or Bd3.
- Against 2...d5, 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 and the queen will be chased with Nc3 later.
- You often get an isolated queen’s pawn on d4: use it for piece activity.
Black
- 2...d5 and 2...Nf6 are the two best answers; both hit e4 before d4 arrives.
- ...e6, ...Nc6 and ...cxd4 at the right moment are common in both lines.
- If White gets an isolated pawn, blockade it on d5 and trade pieces.
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Alapin Sicilian at each rating
How often the position after 1.e4 c5 2.c3 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 4,1510.1% | 2...Nc644% | |
| 1200–1599 | 25k0.4% | 2...Nc641% | |
| 1600–1999 | 59k0.9% | 2...Nc632% | |
| 2000+ | 24k1.2% | 2...d528% | |
| All | 112k0.6% | 2...Nc630% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
The main line. White builds a center; Black hits it with ...d6 or ...e6 and ...Nc6.
1,874 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 50%, 9% were drawn, Black won 41%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nf3Black’s queen is active early. White develops and aims for an isolated-pawn middlegame.
2,440 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 7% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3White gets the ideal center. Playable for Black but less active.
13k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 50%, 5% were drawn, Black won 46%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d6 3.d4
Common traps
Delayed Alapin: 4...Nxe4?? 5.Qa4+
After 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Be2 the e4 pawn looks free, but 4...Nxe4?? 5.Qa4+ checks the king and hits the knight at the same time. Between 1200 and 1599 about one in three players take it, and White then scores about 80%.
Fewer than 6 games in our data reached the end of this line.
Show on the board: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Be2 Nxe4 5.Qa4+ Bd7 6.Qxe4Advertisement
At club level
Many club Sicilian players never study 2.c3 and answer with natural moves like 2...d6 3.d4, which hands White the full center. Two lines (2...d5 and 2...Nf6) are all Black needs.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.
Related openings
- Sicilian Defense
1.e4 c5
- Closed Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3
- Smith-Morra Gambit
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3
- Rossolimo Attack
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
- Sicilian Najdorf
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
- Sicilian Taimanov
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6