ECO B02 · Alekhine Defense

Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation

1. e4 Nf6 2. d3

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

2… c5−0.09

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation (B02), reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. d3, Stockfish 18 recommends 2… c5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.09).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.092… c5 3. f4 Nc6 4. Be2 g6 5. e5 Nd5 6. Bf3 Nc7 7. Bxc6
  2. −0.052… e5 3. f4 exf4 4. Bxf4 Nc6 5. Be2 Bc5 6. Nc3 O-O 7. e5
  3. +0.032… d6 3. Be2 g6 4. Nc3 c5 5. f4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation?
After 1. e4 Nf6 2. d3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2… c5 for Black, continuing 3. f4 Nc6 4. Be2 g6 5. e5 Nd5 6. Bf3 Nc7 7. Bxc6. The position is roughly equal (−0.09). The next best moves are 2… e5 (−0.05) and 2… d6 (+0.03).
Is the Alekhine Defense: Maróczy Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.09: the position is roughly equal. 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: Maróczy Variation?
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+).