Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange
The Central Exchange of the Barmen Defense is 4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4, where White has an isolated d4 pawn and Black pins the defending knight. Black aims to win d4 or force concessions, while White aims to use development and open lines.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4
- ECO
- B22
- Engine
- +0.39 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 920 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 59.2%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 7.Nc3 is the engine's best: it hits the queen and gives d4 for activity after ...Bxf3 and the queen grab.
- After the trades, Nb5 hits c7 and the engine line shows White with good play.
- 7.Be2 breaks the pin calmly; after ...e6 and Nc3, White aims for O-O and more support for d4.
- Avoid passive moves that let Black pile up on d4 with ...Rd8 and ...Nf6.
Black
- Use ...Bg4 to pin the f3 knight; the knight defends d4, so the pin weakens d4.
- After 7.Nc3, ...Bxf3 and ...Qxd4 grab the pawn, but watch Nb5 hitting c7.
- Against 7.Be2, play ...e6 and ...Nf6, and hit d4 with the queen and rooks.
- Long castling with ...O-O-O can put the rook on d8 against the pawn.
Plans and pawn structure
White's isolated d4 pawn gives open lines but is a target. Black plays ...Bg4, ...Nc6, ...e6, ...Nf6 and puts the queen and rooks against d4. White wants active pieces, aiming for Nc3, Be2, O-O and a quick development lead. If White gets in d5 or a kingside attack, Black's play against d4 stops mattering. If Black trades pieces, the d4 pawn is weak in the ending.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.39: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.39 7.Nc3 Bxf3 8.gxf3 Qxd4 9.Qxd4 Nxd4
- +0.16 7.Be2 e6 8.Nc3 Qa5 9.a3 Nf6
- −0.11 7.Nbd2 e6 8.Bc4 Qd7 9.O-O Nf6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
920 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 59.2%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation7.Nc3 · rare
How to play against it
With White, play 7.Nc3 and know the line with Nb5 hitting c7. Keep pieces active, because the d4 pawn needs dynamic support rather than passive guards. With Black, pin and pressure d4, but do not grab it if you lose time or allow Nb5 tricks against c7.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange?
The Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange starts 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4 Nc6 6.Nf3 Bg4. Its ECO code is B22.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.39 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 920 lichess games from our sample, White scored 59.2%. A practical line for White players who like active pieces, while Black gets clear targets to aim at.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Central Exchange?
White has an isolated pawn on d4, and Black pins the defending knight with ...Bg4. White uses development and open lines to compensate, while Black pressures d4.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nc3, with Be2 and Nbd2 close behind. 7.Nc3 develops with tempo on the queen and accepts giving d4 for activity.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.