Alekhine Defense: Buckley Attack
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Statistics from Lichess
2,581 games: White 48.0% / Draw 6.0% / Black 46.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,5651,565 | ||
| 560560 | ||
| 132132 | ||
| 115115 | ||
| 9696 | ||
| 7373 | ||
| 2222 | ||
| 1111 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.04 The position is about equal
Best play: 3... c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nb5 g6 7. Bc4 Bg7 8. O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Buckley Attack (ECO B02, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Alekhine Defense: Normal Variation, reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Na3 (3 moves).
In 2,581 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.0%, Black 46.0% and 6.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…d6, in 61% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Alekhine Defense: Buckley Attack
The most played answer, 3…d6, also scores best for Black: 50.9%, with Black winning 47.9% and White 46.1% of 1,565 games. Of the main answers, 3…Nb6 scores lowest: 41.7%. Stockfish's first choice is 3…c5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Alekhine Defense: Buckley Attack (B02)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-buckley-attack