Khalifman/Soloviov: Squeezing the Sicilian - Alapin Variation CbAccount_required false 1969) is an International Master

1969) is an International Master who retired from chess when he was 23

c4 aims for a more positional Maroczy structure

Kramnik (2801)

Steve Giddins edited this selection

7 Approaching the Main Line

Khalifman/Soloviov: Squeezing the Sicilian - Alapin Variation CbAccount_required false 1969) is an International MasterAdvance with d2 d4, build a solid pawn centre and then dictate the play. In the Alapine System White's strategic idea is extremely simple. He prepares to advance with d2 d4, to build a solid pawn centre and then dictate the play. He will have to pay for this with the fact that his queen's knight has been deprived of the best square for its development, but it may have other suitable squares (in many variations this will be not the d2 square but a3).