ECO B22 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5

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

4. d4+0.25

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

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense (B22), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. d4 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.25).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.254. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Na3 Qd8 7. Nc4 Nc6 8. dxc5 Qxd1+
  2. +0.244. Nf3 Nf6 5. d4 e6 6. Na3 Qd8 7. Bf4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bc5
  3. +0.194. Na3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be2 e5 7. d3 Qd7 8. Be3 f6

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 g6 5. Nf3
  • 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nc6 5. Nf3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense?
After 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. d4 for White, continuing Nf6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Na3 Qd8 7. Nc4 Nc6 8. dxc5 Qxd1+. The position is roughly equal (+0.25). The next best moves are 4. Nf3 (+0.24) and 4. Na3 (+0.19).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.25: 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, Barmen Defense?
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+).