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26 September 2026
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The Alapin Sicilian: Building a Centre That Works

Use c3 to make d4 a centre that lasts: gain time on the exposed queen after 2...d5, cash in the e5 pawn only when Black challenges it after 2...Nf6, and recognise the moment a pawn pair turns from space into a target. Written for players between roughly 1200 and 1800 who play 2.c3 and want to know what the extra centre is for.

3 chapters

  • Cash in the tempi: 2...d5 and the exposed queen1 theory section, 1 annotated game, 3 drills
  • Keep e5 while it bites: 2...Nf6 and the pawn on d41 theory section, 1 annotated game, 4 drills
  • A centre is a target too: what went wrong after 9.exd61 theory section, 1 annotated game, 3 drills

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