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The beta version of Minecraft was released on December 20, 2010.* * Minecraft-beta came after Minecraft-alpha, but before Minecraft 1.0. You can play Minecraft-beta with the new launcher.
You can play the Minecraft Beta demo by finding the PC Gamer demo on their website. In order to play the full game though, you will need to purchase it from the Minecraft website.
Minecraft beta is not free, you have to pay to play it. Any website attempting to give you Minecraft for free is illegal. If you find a site like this do not download anything from it as it is not only illegal, but may contain viruses.
You can't play minecraft alpha 1.2.6. You can currently play minecraft beta 1.8 if you buy the game for $21.95 and then play it in the browser or download it to your computer and play it in an application. Alpha 1.2.6 is long gone, and it is not able to be found anywhere, as far as I know.
Minecraft currently costs $21.95. It is 25% off while in beta, so be sure to get it soon. The game is a onetime payment, not a "Pay-to-Play".