Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
38,433 games: White 33.2% / Draw 4.8% / Black 62.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 30,65631K | ||
| 6,2436,243 | ||
| 1,1741,174 | ||
| 301301 | ||
| 2828 | ||
| 99 | ||
| 66 | ||
| 33 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−1.44 Black is better
Best play: 5... dxc5 6. Nf3 cxd4 7. Nxd4 a6 8. Nc3 c5 9. Nb3 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation (ECO B03, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Alekhine Defense, reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. c5 (5 moves).
In 38,433 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 33.2%, Black 62.0% and 4.8% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…dxc5, in 80% 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: Hunt Variation
The most played answer, 5…dxc5, also scores best for Black: 67.1%, with Black winning 64.7% and White 30.5% of 31K games. Of the main answers, 5…Nd5 scores lowest: 55.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5…dxc5.
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: Hunt Variation (B03)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-hunt-variation