Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Alekhine Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
50,128 games: White 43.5% / Draw 5.1% / Black 51.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 49,51750K | ||
| 333333 | ||
| 156156 | ||
| 4141 | ||
| 3939 | ||
| 1313 | ||
| 1111 | ||
| 99 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.88 White is better
Best play: 5... Nb6 6. exd6 exd6 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Be7 9. Nc3 c6 10. h4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Alekhine Variation (ECO B05, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Main Line, reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. c4 (5 moves).
In 50,128 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 43.5%, Black 51.4% and 5.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Nb6, in 99% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Vitolins Attack.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Alekhine Variation (B05)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-modern-variation-alekhine-variation