The Delayed Alapin Variation, Basman-Palatnik Double Gambit is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B50. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nxe4 7. d5 Qa5+ 8. Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after nine moves. White’s a-file pawn is isolated.
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, Basman-Palatnik Double Gambit goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nxe4 7. d5 Qa5+ 8. Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B50.
The Delayed Alapin Variation, Basman-Palatnik Double Gambit is ECO B50. 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 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. cxd4 Nxe4 7. d5 Qa5+ 8. Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 at +0.49 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 d5. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White’s a-file pawn is isolated.