Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation

The Delayed Alapin is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.d4 Nf6, where White plays c3 one move later than usual. White wants quick development with Na3 and Bc4 hitting the queen, while Black aims to develop smoothly and pressure d4.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.d4 Nf6
ECO
B22
Engine
+0.15 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
11,504 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 6.Na3, heading for b5 or c4. With Bc4 next, the bishop gains time on the queen on d5.
  • Castle short before deciding the center, then recapture on d4 with the c-pawn to keep a big pawn center.
  • If Black allows an isolated d4 pawn, use it as a base for a knight on e5 and pieces on the kingside.

Black

  • Develop with ...Nc6 and ...Be7, then castle. The queen can drop back to d8 or d6 when hit.
  • Time ...cxd4 well. After cxd4 White has an isolated pawn that ...Nc6 and ...Nb4 can target.
  • Answer Nb5 calmly with ...Be7 or ...Na6, keeping c7 covered and the queen safe.

Plans and pawn structure

The queen on d5 is active but exposed, so White builds with gain of tempo: Na3, Bc4 and O-O. Black usually exchanges on d4 and accepts an open center. If White recaptures with the c-pawn, an isolated d4 pawn appears. Then White plays for attack with pieces on d3, e5 and the e-file, while Black blockades on d5 and trades pieces. If White keeps tension instead, Black finishes with ...Be7 and ...O-O and the game stays balanced.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.15: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.15 6.Na3 Nc6 7.Bc4 Qd8 8.O-O cxd4
  2. +0.05 6.Be2 Be7 7.Na3 O-O 8.O-O Nc6
  3. +0.05 6.Be3 Be7 7.Be2 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

11,504 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.5%.

under 120052.0%
1200–159953.4%
1600–199950.9%
2000 and up51.3%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

With White, do not chase the queen with Nc3 too early if it lets Black trade on d4 with tempo. Aim for Na3, Bc4 and castling. If the d4 pawn becomes isolated, keep pieces on the board and use the e5 square.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.Bb5+ Nc6 6.O-O Bd6 7.d4.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.d4 Nf6. Its ECO code is B22.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.15 at depth 20, which is level. In 11,504 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.5%. A practical choice for White players who want open play without heavy theory; Black needs to know where the queen retreats.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation?

White uses c3 and d4 to build a center and gains time against the queen on d5 with Na3 and Bc4. Black develops calmly and often trades on d4 to fight an isolated pawn.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Na3, with Be2 and Be3 close behind. 6.Na3 heads for b5 or c4 and lets Bc4 follow with tempo on the queen.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.