The Alapin Variation, Sherzer Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B40. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. d4 Nc6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is White 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, Sherzer Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. d4 Nc6. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B40.
The Alapin Variation, Sherzer Variation is ECO B40. 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. Nf3 e6 3. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. d4 Nc6 at +1.09 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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 e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is White to move.