Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation

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Overview

Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B22.

The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.

Play reaches this position via 1. e4 c5 2. c3, after 3 plies of opening development.

In the opening tree, this line branches off from Sicilian Defense, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.

5 named variations grow from this line, including Anti-Alapin Gambit, Barmen Defense, Smith-Morra Declined, and others.

In total, the branch covers 10 sub-variations across all depths.

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ECO code: B22
Group: Semi-Open Games (B)
Plies: 3
Parent: Sicilian Defense
Direct variations: 5
Total in subtree: 10

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

21,791,419 games · White 49.4% / Draw 5.2% / Black 45.4%

Moves	Games	W / D / B
Nc6	5,982,519
d5	4,057,266
d6	3,344,477
e6	3,126,252
Nf6	2,712,332
e5	1,059,203
g6	1,039,852
a6	260,649

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-25 20:20:11

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Variations (5)

Show all 10 sub-variations (full subtree)

Overview

Statistics from Lichess

Variations (5)

Related variations at the same level