ECO B02 · Alekhine Defense

Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Matsukevich Gambit

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 d6 7. Bg5

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

7… h6+0.35

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Matsukevich Gambit (B02), reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 d6 7. Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… h6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.35).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.357… h6 8. Bf4 Be6 9. cxd6 exd6 10. Nf3 dxe5 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. O-O-O+
  2. +0.477… f6 8. exf6 exf6 9. Bf4 Qe7+ 10. Be3 dxc5 11. Qb3 Nd7
  3. +0.707… Nc6 8. exd6 cxd6 9. cxd6 Qxd6 10. Qxd6 exd6 11. Ne2 Be7 12. Be3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Matsukevich Gambit?
After 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 d6 7. Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… h6 for Black, continuing 8. Bf4 Be6 9. cxd6 exd6 10. Nf3 dxe5 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. O-O-O+. White is slightly better (+0.35). The next best moves are 7… f6 (+0.47) and 7… Nc6 (+0.70).
Is the Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Matsukevich Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.35: 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: Hunt Variation, Matsukevich Gambit?
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+).