Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Keres Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
4,005 games: White 56.0% / Draw 6.8% / Black 37.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,7042,704 | ||
| 642642 | ||
| 504504 | ||
| 5959 | ||
| 3434 | ||
| 2424 | ||
| 1313 | ||
| 77 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 4, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.21 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... dxe5 8. a5 N6d7 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Ng5+ Kg8 11. Ne6 Qe8 12. Nxc7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Keres Variation (ECO B04, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Alburt Variation, reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 Bg7 7. a4 (7 moves).
In 4,005 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 56.0%, Black 37.2% and 6.8% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…a5, 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: Modern Variation, Keres Variation
7…dxe5 scores best for Black: 46.2%, with Black winning 41.9% and White 49.5% of 642 games. The most played answer, 7…a5, scores lowest: 39.4% in 2,704 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 7…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: Modern Variation, Keres Variation (B04)”. Lichess data as of 4 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-modern-variation-keres-variation