Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
The Alapin Variation is 2.c3 against the Sicilian, preparing d4 so White can recapture with a pawn and keep a full center. Black's best replies hit e4 at once with ...Nf6 or ...d5, while White hopes for a classical center and smooth development.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.c3
- ECO
- B22
- Engine
- +0.03 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 24,497 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.7%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play d4 next; if Black takes on d4, recapture with cxd4 for a strong two-pawn center.
- Against ...Nf6, push e5 and chase the knight to d5, then follow with d4 and Nf3.
- Against ...d5, take with exd5 and after ...Qxd5 play d4 or Nf3 for open play and good development.
- Remember the c3 square is taken by the pawn, so the b1 knight usually goes to d2 or a3.
Black
- 2...Nf6 hits e4 at once; after e5 Nd5 and d4, challenge the center with ...d6 or ...cxd4.
- 2...d5 trades in the center, and the queen on d5 cannot be chased by a knight from c3.
- 2...Nc6 allows d4, but ...d5 then hits the center and can lead to an early queen trade.
- Pressure the d4 pawn with ...Nc6, ...Bg4 and ...e6 once White has pushed it.
Plans and pawn structure
White's c3 prepares a classical center with d4. Black answers by attacking e4 at once or by trading in the center, so White never keeps both e4 and d4 for free. In the ...Nf6 lines, the knight on d5 is active and Black chips at e5 with ...d6. In the ...d5 lines, Black gets free piece play, and after trades on d4 White often has an isolated d4 pawn. White's best pieces are the f1 bishop on c4 or d3 and the knight on f3.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.03: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.03 2...Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 d6 5.Nf3
- +0.12 2...d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.d4
- +0.18 2...Nc6 3.d4 d5 4.dxc5 dxe4 5.Qxd8+
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
24,497 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.7%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense2...d5 · 3,376 games
- Alapin Variation, Smith-Morra Declined2...Nf6 · 2,057 games
- Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation2...d5 · rare
- Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line2...Nf6 · rare
How to play against it
With Black, play 2...Nf6 or 2...d5 and attack the center at once. Avoid slow moves like ...e6 and ...d6 together, which let White play d4 and keep a big center. With White, learn both main replies and the isolated pawn positions they often lead to.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation?
The Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.c3. Its ECO code is B22.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.03 at depth 20, which is level. In 24,497 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.7%. A solid, low-theory weapon for White, while Black equalizes with active central play.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation?
White prepares d4 with c3 to build a full pawn center. Black attacks the center at once with ...Nf6 or ...d5.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Nf6, with d5 and Nc6 close behind. 2...Nf6 hits e4 at once and leads to play against White's advanced pawn after e5.
Related lines
- Sicilian Defense
- Bowdler Attack
- Old Sicilian
- Closed
- Modern Variations
- McDonnell Attack
- How to beat the Sicilian Defenseguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.