Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Panov Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
58,531 games: White 45.5% / Draw 5.2% / Black 49.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 37,75538K | ||
| 19,61820K | ||
| 903903 | ||
| 119119 | ||
| 3636 | ||
| 3535 | ||
| 1818 | ||
| 1515 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.20 The position is about equal
Best play: 5... Bxf3 6. Qxf3 dxe5 7. dxe5 e6 8. Bc4 Nc6 9. Qe4 Qd7 10. O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation, Panov 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. h3 (5 moves).
In 58,531 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.5%, Black 49.2% and 5.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Bh5, in 65% 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, Panov Variation
The most played answer, 5…Bh5, also scores best for Black: 52.4%, with Black winning 50.0% and White 45.1% of 38K games. Of the main answers, 5…Bxf3 scores lowest: 51.1%. Stockfish's first choice is 5…Bxf3.
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, Panov Variation (B05)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-modern-variation-panov-variation