ECO B02 · Alekhine Defense

Alekhine Defense

1. e4 Nf6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2. e5+0.60

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Alekhine Defense (B02), reached after 1. e4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. e5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.60).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.602. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. d4 d6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. exd6 cxd6
  2. +0.232. Nc3 e5 3. Bc4 Nc6 4. d3 Bb4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 d6
  3. +0.012. d3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bc5 5. Bg2 a5 6. O-O d6

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4
  • 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6
  • 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4

All Alekhine Defense variations (52)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Alekhine Defense?
After 1. e4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. e5 for White, continuing Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. d4 d6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. exd6 cxd6. White is slightly better (+0.60). The next best moves are 2. Nc3 (+0.23) and 2. d3 (+0.01).
Is the Alekhine Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.60: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Alekhine Defense?
B02. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).