Chopping Down the Alapin Sicilian | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 2137

In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 10+0 game against a player rated 2137 on Chess.com. The Alapin Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.c3) is an opening I recommend from the White side, and here I face it with the Black pieces. Although 2...d5 and 2...d5 are the most theoretically sound ways to reply, in this case I opt for 2...g6, a line that may appeal to Accelerated Dragon/Hyperaccelerated Dragon players. The idea is that after a d2-d4 and ...c5xd4, Black will only then counterattack in the center with ...d7-d5. If White staggers their structure with e4-e5, Black may begin to "chop down the tree" by means of ...Nb8-c6, ...Bc8-g4fxf3, ...Qd8-b6, and ...Ng8-h6 or ...e7-e6 and ...Ng8-e7-f5. Tremendous pressure against the d-pawn could emerge, and Black's bishop on g7 may even join the party with a well-timed ...f7-f6.

Review this game on Chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/10351...

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