The Prins Variation, Venice Attack is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B55. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. f3 e5 6. Bb5+, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six 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 Prins Variation, Venice Attack goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. f3 e5 6. Bb5+. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B55.
The Prins Variation, Venice Attack is ECO B55. 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. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. f3 e5 6. Bb5+ at +0.02 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.