ECO B05 · Alekhine Defense

Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Main Line

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4

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

5. Be2+0.67

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Main Line (B05), reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Be2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.67).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.675. Be2 e6 6. O-O dxe5 7. Nxe5 Bxe2 8. Qxe2 Bd6 9. Qb5+ Nd7
  2. +0.605. exd6 exd6 6. c4 Nb6 7. h3 Bh5 8. Nc3 Be7 9. Bd3 Nc6
  3. +0.605. c4 Nb6 6. exd6 exd6 7. h3 Bh5 8. Nc3 Be7 9. Bd3 Nc6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Main Line?
After 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Be2 for White, continuing e6 6. O-O dxe5 7. Nxe5 Bxe2 8. Qxe2 Bd6 9. Qb5+ Nd7. White is slightly better (+0.67). The next best moves are 5. exd6 (+0.60) and 5. c4 (+0.60).
Is the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.67: 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: Modern Variation, Main Line?
B05. 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+).