Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Matsukevich Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
2,721 games: White 65.8% / Draw 3.8% / Black 30.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 931931 | ||
| 734734 | ||
| 452452 | ||
| 282282 | ||
| 130130 | ||
| 7171 | ||
| 4949 | ||
| 2121 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.26 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... h6 8. Bf4 Be6 9. Qc2 dxc5 10. Bd3 Qc8 11. Nf3 g6 12. O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Matsukevich Gambit (ECO B02, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack, Lasker Variation, reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 d6 7. Bg5 (7 moves).
In 2,721 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 65.8%, Black 30.4% and 3.8% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…dxe5, in 34% 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, Matsukevich Gambit
7…h6 scores best for Black: 40.3%, with Black winning 37.5% and White 56.8% of 734 games. The most played, 7…dxe5, scores 26.2% in 931 games, and 7…dxc5 scores lowest: 17.9%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7…h6.
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, Matsukevich Gambit (B02)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-hunt-variation-matsukevich-gambit