ECO B22 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Anti-Alapin Gambit

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Nf6

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

4. Bb5++0.60

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Anti-Alapin Gambit (B22), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Bb5+ for White. White is slightly better (+0.60).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.604. Bb5+ Nbd7 5. d4 Qa5 6. Na3 a6 7. Bxd7+ Bxd7 8. Nc4 Qc7
  2. +0.544. Qa4+ Bd7 5. Qb3 e6 6. dxe6 Bxe6 7. Bc4 Bxc4 8. Qxc4 Nc6
  3. +0.214. Nf3 Nxd5 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 c4 7. Bxc4 Nxc4 8. Qa4+ Nc6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Anti-Alapin Gambit?
After 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Bb5+ for White, continuing Nbd7 5. d4 Qa5 6. Na3 a6 7. Bxd7+ Bxd7 8. Nc4 Qc7. White is slightly better (+0.60). The next best moves are 4. Qa4+ (+0.54) and 4. Nf3 (+0.21).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Anti-Alapin Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.60: white is slightly better. 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, Anti-Alapin Gambit?
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+).