ECO B22 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation

1. e4 c5 2. c3

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2… Nf6+0.17

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation (B22), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. c3, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… Nf6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.17).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.172… Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bc4 Nb6 7. Bb3
  2. +0.202… d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. dxc5 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1
  3. +0.202… Nc6 3. d4 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Na3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. c3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… Nf6 for Black, continuing 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bc4 Nb6 7. Bb3. The position is roughly equal (+0.17). The next best moves are 2… d5 (+0.20) and 2… Nc6 (+0.20).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.17: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation?
B22. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).