Alekhine Defense: Kmoch Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
34,593 games: White 45.5% / Draw 4.2% / Black 50.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 17,06617K | ||
| 11,87212K | ||
| 2,2952,295 | ||
| 1,2191,219 | ||
| 1,1321,132 | ||
| 623623 | ||
| 278278 | ||
| 8888 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 24, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.03 The position is about equal
Best play: 5... Nc6 6. Nf3 d5 7. exd6 exd6 8. O-O Be7 9. a4 Na5 10. Ba2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Kmoch Variation (ECO B02, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Alekhine Defense: Normal Variation, reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. Bc4 Nb6 4. Bb3 c5 5. d3 (5 moves).
In 34,593 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.5%, Black 50.3% and 4.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Nc6, in 49% 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: Kmoch Variation
5…d5 scores best for Black: 54.3%, with Black winning 52.2% and White 43.7% of 12K games. The most played, 5…Nc6, scores 52.8% in 17K games, and 5…e6 scores lowest: 49.0%. Stockfish's first choice is 5…Nc6.
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: Kmoch Variation (B02)”. Lichess data as of 24 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-kmoch-variation