Scarlett: My Favorite Opening from Third Grade (Interactive)

“I like the Alapin variation because I like open positions and exciting attacks.”

BY SCARLETT ASSELTA - American Heritage School - Her League MEMBER & HER NEWS COLUMNIST

Alapin Variation

Please see opening played out below on the interactive chess board.

April 26, 2021 - My favorite opening is the Sicilian, the Alapin variation. I like the Alapin variation because I like open positions and exciting attacks. I also like the c5 move in the Sicilian because it is cool, and it is not just the standard move e5.

In order to play the Alapin, white has to play e4. Then black can play c5. When white pushes c3, black can respond nf6 to attack the e4 pawn. If white pushes e5, black should play nd5 to move away from the pawn. If white plays nf3, then black should go nc6 to develop the knight. When white pushes d4, black should respond cxd4 so white does not take the pawn for free. White will probably play cxd4 and then black can respond d6 to open the center and develop the c8 bishop. When white plays bc4, the best move for black is nb6 because black can move away from the bishop while also attacking white’s bishop that is attacking the knight on b6. White then plays Bb5 and black should respond bd7 to avoid a pin on the knight and the king. White will probably then play exd6 which allows black to play a surprising move! Rather than taking d6, black should push to e6. This allows black to take the pawn while also developing the f8 bishop. If white responds bg5, black should play f6 to protect the queen. After white plays bh4, black should take d6 with the bishop so you can develop the bishop and win back a pawn. Then finally, if white plays nc3 then black must play nb4 to stop the e pawn from advancing.

This is one of the Sicilian variations that I like to play. I recommend trying it out and maybe you will like it too!