Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation

10/10
1.e4c52.Nf3e63.c3d54.exd5Qxd55.d4Nf6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Delayed Alapin Variation341k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
30%104k50%
18%60k50%
13%44k51%
11%38k44%
8.8%30k47%
7.9%27k51%
3.4%12k46%
2.4%8.3k42%
1.5%5.1k39%
1.1%3.9k44%
Famous games in this line5.7k master games
Nakamura, Hi (2816) – Caruana, F. (2789)20250–1Aronian, Levon (2767) – Caruana, Fabiano (2828)20200–1Carlsen, M. (2861) – Erigaisi, Arjun (2725)2022½–½Nakamura, Hi (2804) – Erigaisi, Arjun (2782)2025½–½Carlsen, M. (2835) – Gukesh, D. (2744)2023½–½Giri, A.. (2776) – Nepomniachtchi, I.. (2789)2021½–½Radjabov, Teimour (2761) – Ivanchuk, Vassily (2779)2009½–½Andreikin, D. (2727) – Ding Liren (2812)2019½–½
Heroes of this opening Caruana, Fabiano
Family
Sicilian Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B22
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. d4 Nf6
★ Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
Sicilian Defense: Pin Variation3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation2…d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 …Sicilian Defense: Gaw-Paw Variation3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Qb6
From the archives

No reply to 1.e4 is played more. Fischer made the Najdorf his main weapon, and Kasparov's Sicilians are pillars of chess history — the Scheveningen against Karpov, the Dragon he unveiled against Anand in 1995. When you play 1...c5 you refuse symmetry, the same refusal that carried two world champions.

Study this opening
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