The Delayed Alapin Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B22. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Nf6, reaching the position shown below after 10 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 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.
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The Delayed Alapin Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Nf6. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B22.
The Delayed Alapin Variation 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. Nf3 e6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Nf6 at +0.29 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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 White to move.