ECO B22 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange

1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4

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

7. Nc3+0.36

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange (B22), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.36).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.367. Nc3 Bxf3 8. Nxd5 Bxd1 9. Nc7+ Kd8 10. Nxa8 Bh5 11. f3 Nf6
  2. +0.267. Be2 e6 8. O-O Nf6 9. Nc3 Qa5 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Rd8
  3. −0.107. Be3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Qxf3 9. gxf3 e6 10. Nc3 Nf6 11. O-O-O Rd8

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange?
After 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Nc3 for White, continuing Bxf3 8. Nxd5 Bxd1 9. Nc7+ Kd8 10. Nxa8 Bh5 11. f3 Nf6. White is slightly better (+0.36). The next best moves are 7. Be2 (+0.26) and 7. Be3 (−0.10).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.36: 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, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange?
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+).