The Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B22. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 g6 5. Nf3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Sicilian Defense generally: The most popular and aggressive response to 1.e4. Black fights for the center asymmetrically, leading to rich tactical play.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 238 Sicilian Defense variations →
The Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense goes 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 g6 5. Nf3. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B22.
The Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense is ECO B22. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 g6 5. Nf3 at +0.24 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.