Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. c3/2...Nf6/3. e5

=Sicilian, Alapin=

3. e5
White’s move attacks the knight, and continues to push the centre. It forces Black to move their piece twice in the opening development, and removes the threat of Ng4 placement later in the opening.

The main line of 3...Nd5 is rather forced, as 3...Ng8? is quite passive whilst 3...Ne4?? 4.d3! traps the knight.

The other moves of Ng4 or Nh5 lead to immediate capture by the queen.

Theory table
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 * 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5


 * Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.