Caissa Codex
B22

Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line

Chess diagram: Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line after 8…g5

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Statistics from Lichess

4,126 games: White 42.9% / Draw 6.4% / Black 50.7%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
2,0812,081
1,1081,108
299299
260260
200200
108108
2121
1717

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.38 White is slightly better

Best play: 9. Na3 g4 10. Nb5 Qb8 11. Nh4 a6 12. Nd6+ exd6 13. exd6+ Kd8

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line (ECO B22, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 c4 7. Bc2 Qc7 8. Qe2 g5 (8 moves).

In 4,126 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.9%, Black 50.7% and 6.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 9. h3, in 50% of those games.

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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line

9. Na3 scores best for White: 54.7%, with White winning 52.2% and Black 42.8% of 299 games. The most played, 9. h3, scores 47.9% in 2,081 games, and 9. e6 scores lowest: 40.8%. Stockfish's first choice is also 9. Na3.

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, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line (B22)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-alapin-variation-stoltz-attack-ivanchuk-line

https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-alapin-variation-stoltz-attack-ivanchuk-line