Jospem vs the Anti-Sicilians + PGN January 3, 2026

Complete Your Elite Sicilian Arsenal: Anti-Sicilian Mastery from Two Grandmasters

When GM José Martinez Alcantara and GM Pier Luigi Basso set out to build their comprehensive Sicilian Defense repertoire for Black, they knew the real battlefield wasn’t just the Najdorf itself—it was everything White throws at you before move three. After delivering their acclaimed Elite Najdorf trilogy, the grandmasters identified the missing piece: a systematic, elite-level response to every Anti-Sicilian weapon in White’s arsenal. This course completes that vision, transforming the scattered landscape of 2.Nc3, 2.c3, 2.b3, and other sidelines into a coherent system.

The Revolutionary Alapin Concept

The centerpiece of this repertoire is GM Basso’s radical treatment of the Alapin Variation (2.c3). Building on concepts introduced in his Paulsen for Black course, Basso unveils a virtually unexplored approach: 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nf3 e6 6.cxd4 d6 7.Bc4 dxe5!? followed by 8.dxe5 b6.

This single move cuts through vast sections of established Alapin theory, offering Black a fresh weapon that combines soundness with practical surprise value. Where conventional theory demands memorization of lengthy variations, this approach redefines the entire structure of the position.

Against the Grand Prix Attack (2.Nc3 d6 3.f4), the course advocates the modern 3…g6 setup, turning White’s most persistent attacking try into a position Black can welcome with confidence. The flexible 2…d6 move order keeps the Najdorf option alive while maintaining full adaptability against every second-move alternative—from the Closed Sicilian (2.Nc3 d6 3.g3) to the Maroczy Bind approach (2.c4), the Wing Gambit (2.b4), the Morra Gambit (2.d4), and even creative rarities like Zvjagintsev’s 2.Na3.

Variation Coverage

The course provides comprehensive solutions across White’s Anti-Sicilian arsenal:

Main Anti-Sicilians:

• 2.Nc3 (Grand Prix Complex) — 3.f4 g6 repertoire with deep preparation against White’s most dangerous attacking setup
• 2.c3 (Alapin) — Revolutionary 7…dxe5!? 8.dxe5 b6 concept cutting through traditional theory
• 2.Nc3 followed by 3.g3 (Closed Sicilian) — Modern treatment of White’s declining system
• 2.Nc3 followed by 3.Bb5+ (Rossolimo with 2.Nc3) — GM Guseinov’s favorite and elite-level weapon neutralized

Second Move Alternatives:

• 2.b3 — Popular rapid/blitz weapon covered in depth
• 2.c4 — Maroczy-style systems addressed with clear plans
• 2.b4 — The legendary Wing Gambit defused
• 2.d4 — Morra Gambit handled with precision
• 2.Na3 — Zvjagintsev’s creative approach and other rare second moves
• “Carlsen Anti-Sicilian” (2.Nc3 d6 3.d4!?) — Named after Carlsen’s 2018 win against Wojtaszek, fully analyzed