ECO B22 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Nf6

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

6. Na3+0.32

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation (B22), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Na3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.32).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.326. Na3 Qd8 7. Nc4 Nc6 8. Be3 Nd5 9. Bd3 g6 10. Bg5 f6
  2. +0.246. Be3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Qd8 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Bb5 Bb4 10. Bxc6+ bxc6
  3. +0.216. Be2 cxd4 7. cxd4 Be7 8. Nc3 Qd6 9. O-O Nc6 10. g3 O-O

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bb5+ Nc6 6. O-O Bd6 7. d4

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Na3 for White, continuing Qd8 7. Nc4 Nc6 8. Be3 Nd5 9. Bd3 g6 10. Bg5 f6. White is slightly better (+0.32). The next best moves are 6. Be3 (+0.24) and 6. Be2 (+0.21).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.32: 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: Delayed 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+).