Druash Denis. Alapin's opening

Chess Enterprises, 1997. — 49 p. — ISBN: 978-0-931462-23-9.Alapin's Opening is an unusual chess opening that starts with the moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Ne2.It is named after the Russo-Lithuanian player and openings analyst Semyon Alapin (1856–1923). Although this opening is rarely used, Ljubojević (as Black) played against it at Groningen in 1970.Alapin's Opening is offbeat, but perfectly playable for White. It is mainly used by players who want to avoid highly theoretical lines such as the Ruy Lopez, or those who wish to surprise their opponents. White is intending to play f2-f4 soon.However, Alapin's Opening also incurs several problems for White. Firstly, the development of White's light-squared bishop, and also of his queen, is blocked, and it will require another move of the knight or another pawn move, both of which go against opening principles, to develop these pieces. Secondly, the knight on e2, although flexible, has no control over Black's half of the centre, and will need to be moved again to become more useful.It is extremely easy for Black to equalize in this opening, e.g., 2...Nf6, 2...Nc6, and 2...d5 all equalize.