Alekhine Defense: Welling Variation
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. b3
3… d6−0.26
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Alekhine Defense: Welling Variation (B02), reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. b3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… d6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.26).
Top engine moves
- −0.263… d6 4. Nf3 Bf5 5. d4 Nb4 6. Na3 dxe5 7. Nxe5 Nd7 8. Bd3
- −0.033… g6 4. c4 Nb4 5. a3 N4c6 6. Bb2 Bg7 7. f4 d6 8. d4
- +0.083… c5 4. Nc3 Nc7 5. Bb2 Nc6 6. Nf3 g6 7. Ne4 Bg7 8. Nxc5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Alekhine Defense: Welling Variation?
After 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. b3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… d6 for Black, continuing 4. Nf3 Bf5 5. d4 Nb4 6. Na3 dxe5 7. Nxe5 Nd7 8. Bd3. The position is roughly equal (−0.26). The next best moves are 3… g6 (−0.03) and 3… c5 (+0.08).
Is the Alekhine Defense: Welling Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.26: 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: Welling 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+).