B22 · Semi-Open · a defense for Black
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Modern Line
10/10
1.e4c52.c3d53.exd5Qxd54.d4Nf65.Nf3Bg4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Modern Line217k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
82%178k52%
6.1%13k56%
3.9%8.4k58%
2.4%5.2k49%
1.6%3.5k44%
1.3%2.8k38%
1.2%2.7k67%
1%2.2k49%
0.4%86142%
0.1%16637%
Famous games in this line2.4k master games
Kramnik, Vladimir (2725) – Kasparov, Garry (2810)Zhigalko, S. (2656) – Topalov, V. (2816)Ljubojevic, Ljubomir (2580) – Kasparov, Garry (2805)Lautier, Joel (2645) – Topalov, Veselin (2740)Shimanov, A. (2581) – Nepomniachtchi, I. (2793)Zarnicki, Pablo (2550) – Kasparov, Garry (2820)Zhigalko, Sergei (2679) – Sasikiran, Krishnan (2676)Shirov, Alexei (2690) – Polgar, Judit (2645)Heroes of this opening Topalov, Veselin · Nepomniachtchi, I.
- Family
- Sicilian Defense
- Category
- Semi-Open
- First move
- 1.e4
- ECO
- B22
- Line
- 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4
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From the archives
No defense has won more games at every level than the Sicilian. Bobby Fischer played almost nothing else against 1.e4, and Kasparov's Najdorf battles with Karpov and Anand are pillars of chess history. When you play 1...c5, you're refusing symmetry — the same refusal that carried two world champions.
Study this opening