Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line position 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. White: pawn on e5, pawn on c3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, bishop on c2, pawn on d2, queen on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, king on e1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, bishop on c8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, queen on c7, pawn on d7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, pawn on h7, knight on b6, knight on c6, pawn on g5, pawn on c4.
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line is a chess opening that arises 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. It is classified B22 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Sicilian Defense is Black's most popular answer to 1.e4, meeting it with 1...c5 to fight for the centre asymmetrically rather than mirroring White's pawn. Because the pawn structures that result are unbalanced from move one, the Sicilian produces sharper and more double-edged positions than any other reply to the king's pawn, and it has the best practical scoring record for Black at master level.
Strategic character
Black accepts a slight lag in development in exchange for a queenside pawn majority and the half-open c-file, which becomes the main artery for counterplay. White typically attacks on the kingside while Black attacks on the queenside, so games often become a race in which tempo matters more than material.
Who should play it
Players who want winning chances with Black and are willing to learn theory. The main lines are heavily analysed, and being caught unprepared in the Najdorf or Dragon can lose quickly.
This line is a variation within the Sicilian Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bc4 Nb6 6.Bb3 c4 7.Bc2 Qc7 8.Qe2 g5.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line?
The Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line is a chess opening that arises 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. It is classified B22 in the ECO system. The Sicilian Defense is Black's most popular answer to 1.e4, meeting it with 1...c5 to fight for the centre asymmetrically rather than mirroring White's pawn. Because the pawn structures that result are unbalanced from move one, the Sicilian produces sharper and more double-edged positions than any other reply to the king's pawn, and it has the best practical scoring record for Black at master level.
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line?
1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nf6 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bc4 Nb6 6.Bb3 c4 7.Bc2 Qc7 8.Qe2 g5. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Stoltz Attack, Ivanchuk Line good for beginners?
Players who want winning chances with Black and are willing to learn theory. The main lines are heavily analysed, and being caught unprepared in the Najdorf or Dragon can lose quickly.