The Wing Gambit, Romanian Defense 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. Nf3 e5 6. Bb2 Nc6 7. c4 Qe6, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after seven 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, Romanian Defense goes 1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. a3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nf3 e5 6. Bb2 Nc6 7. c4 Qe6. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B20.
The Wing Gambit, Romanian Defense 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. Nf3 e5 6. Bb2 Nc6 7. c4 Qe6 at -0.52 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.
Black holds the centre with pawns on e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. Black has doubled pawns on the b-file; White’s a-file pawn is isolated.