Sicilian Alapin 5.Nf3 Mistery

I think 5...b6 isn't justified after 5.cxd4, seems too slow. One more thing, why on Earth did he took En passant 16.exd6?!. White should close the centre and destroy Black on Kingside. Also is there any way to save Light-square Bishop for White? Qa4 denying Ba6? Greek Gift is very usual in this structures. I played it successfully a few times.

Haha..That Queen didn't have the chance..So you think that f4 is a refutation of e6? Interesting chess..

Interesting games, so I decided to take a look as well. I used to play the Alapin alot when I was younger, but haven't played it in a while. So I think one option isn't necessarily better than the other, it just gives you different sort of positions.

I've tried to make a quick overview: lichess.org/study/cUiPKHML

"Refutation" is a hard word, probably ...e6 f2-f4 is still ok for Black, but no my mug of beer.

h4 isn't a move that would pop in my head, never (not this early in the game..cool move).. However can't Black play Nc6 and follow the rule when they strike on wing we strike in the centre? so, 10.h4 Nc6 11.h5 Qc7 12.hxg6 0-0-0 13.Rxh7 Rxh7 14.gxh7 Bg7 although it says 1.0 advantage for White, Black has chances.That e6 line is weird.. Yea Sarg0n I went too far with that haha..

True, it's still a bit weird. The advantage is for White because h7 is just incredibly annoying. But Black obviously has some compensation for that.

And I always thought Alapin was boring... ;)