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+5 game against a player rated 2274 on Chess.com. The Alapin Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.c3) is a phenomenal practical weapon I've often played and recommended on this channel, and here I face it from the other side of the board. I opt for a principled line in the 2...Nf6 variation whereby Black angles for a quick ...Nd5-b4 in search of a favorable queen trade, but this results in my opponent establishing a strong bishop on c4. After some though, I dare my opponent to take a pawn on b7, reckoning that I have counterplay based on my knight trapping the enemy rook in the corner. To my surprise, White is unfazed by this development, and continues blitzing moves off!

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