ECO B05 · Alekhine Defense

Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Vitolins Attack

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. c4 Nb6 6. d5

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

6… e6−0.03

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

Analyze this position

In the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Vitolins Attack (B05), reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. c4 Nb6 6. d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… e6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.03).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.036… e6 7. exd6 Bxd6 8. Qd4 Bxf3 9. Qxg7 Rf8 10. gxf3 exd5 11. Bg5
  2. +0.186… dxe5 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Qd7 9. Nc3 e6 10. Bd3 c6 11. O-O
  3. +0.226… N8d7 7. e6 fxe6 8. Bg5 Ne5 9. Be2 Nxf3+ 10. Bxf3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Vitolins Attack?
After 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. c4 Nb6 6. d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… e6 for Black, continuing 7. exd6 Bxd6 8. Qd4 Bxf3 9. Qxg7 Rf8 10. gxf3 exd5 11. Bg5. The position is roughly equal (−0.03). The next best moves are 6… dxe5 (+0.18) and 6… N8d7 (+0.22).
Is the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Vitolins Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.03: 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: Modern Variation, Vitolins Attack?
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+).