Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
39,465 games: White 52.5% / Draw 7.8% / Black 39.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 29,50730K | ||
| 3,3453,345 | ||
| 3,1043,104 | ||
| 1,1101,110 | ||
| 871871 | ||
| 662662 | ||
| 247247 | ||
| 244244 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.28 The position is about equal
Best play: 10. Nb5 Nc2+ 11. Kd1 Rc8 12. Nxa7 Rc5 13. b4 Nxb4 14. Rb1 e6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation (ECO B22, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Nc3 Bxf3 8. gxf3 Qxd4 9. Qxd4 Nxd4 (9 moves).
In 39,465 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.5%, Black 39.7% and 7.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 10. Nb5, in 75% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation
The most played answer, 10. Nb5, also scores best for White: 63.0%, with White winning 58.7% and Black 32.7% of 30K games. Of the main answers, 10. Bd3 scores lowest: 37.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 10. Nb5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation (B22)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-alapin-variation-barmen-defense-endgame-variation