Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Mikenas Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
2,555 games: White 52.8% / Draw 5.6% / Black 41.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,7301,730 | ||
| 595595 | ||
| 206206 | ||
| 1515 | ||
| 55 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 22 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.42 White is slightly better
Best play: 8... dxe5 9. Qf3 f6 10. Ne2 c6 11. Bc4 Qe7 12. d4 Be6 13. Bb3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Mikenas Gambit (ECO B02, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack, Mikenas Variation, reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Nxd5 exd5 8. Bxd5 (8 moves).
In 2,555 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.8%, Black 41.6% and 5.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 8…dxe5, in 68% 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, Mikenas Gambit
8…c6 scores best for Black: 46.7%, with Black winning 43.7% and White 50.3% of 595 games. The most played, 8…dxe5, scores 44.6% in 1,730 games, and 8…dxc5 scores lowest: 34.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 8…dxe5.
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, Mikenas Gambit (B02)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-hunt-variation-mikenas-gambit