What is Anti-Sicilian?

An Anti-Sicilian refers to any line of moves in the game of chess that is used as a response to the Sicilian Defense, aiming to prevent the game from entering into the main lines of the Sicilian Defense. The goal is to steer the game into less explored or asymmetrical lines of play, in order to avoid theoretical battles against the opponent's preparation. The Anti-Sicilian approaches can include moves such as 2.c3 (the Alapin Variation) and 2.Nc3 3.Bb5 (the Closed Sicilian).