On identities of free finitely generated alternative algebras over a field of characteristic 3

In 1981 Filippov solved in the affirmative Shestakov's problem on the strictness of the inclusions in the chains of varieties generated by free alternative and Mal'cev algebras of finite rank over a field of characteristic distinct from 2 and 3. In the present paper an analogous result is proved for alternative algebras over a field of characteristic 3. The proof is based on the construction of three families of identities that hold on the algebras of the corresponding rank. A disproof of the identities on algebras of larger rank is carried out with the help of a prime commutative alternative algebra. It is also proved that in varieties of alternative algebras of finite basis rank over a field of characteristic 3 every soluble algebra is nilpotent.