c3 Sicilian Defense

Level

Intermediate/Advanced

Recommended Rating

1000-1600

Topic Purpose

One of the disadvantages of playing 1. e4 is having to face the Sicilian Defense. You may not feel like playing against such an aggressive defense for Black. Alapin’s Variation is one of the most popular and sound methods for avoiding Black’s favorite version of the Sicilian and shifting to a version that you’re better prepared for.

Also, the thing I hate THE MOST in chess games is losing a game in the ending that I should win. Advanced FBCC classes include endgame studies so that its members excel at winning endgames. Our players are better prepared for endgames than just about anyone else and often win games in the ending that they would otherwise lose.

Lessons: (each lesson is about 90 minutes)

     Lesson 1 learning objectives

• Black plays variations with an early Bg4

    Lesson 2 learning objectives

• White captures on c5
• Black plays e5

     Lesson 3 learning objectives

• Black plays Nf6

     Lesson 4 learning objectives

• Black plays d6 instead of d5

     Lesson 5 learning objectives

• Other 2nd moves for Black
• Review and summary of Alapin’s Variation