The Wing Gambit, Marienbad Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B20. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Bb2, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after five moves. Black has doubled pawns on the b-file; 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 Wing Gambit, Marienbad Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Bb2. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B20.
The Wing Gambit, Marienbad Variation is ECO B20. 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. b4 cxb4 3. a3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Bb2 at -0.48 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, 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.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black has doubled pawns on the b-file; White’s a-file pawn is isolated.