Alekhine Defense: Steiner Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
71,274 games: White 44.7% / Draw 4.8% / Black 50.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 50,29650K | ||
| 5,3045,304 | ||
| 4,9914,991 | ||
| 4,0454,045 | ||
| 3,7753,775 | ||
| 2,5202,520 | ||
| 158158 | ||
| 129129 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.16 The position is about equal
Best play: 4... d6 5. exd6 Qxd6 6. d4 Nc6 7. Bb2 Bf5 8. Be2 Qg6 9. Nf3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Steiner Variation (ECO B02, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack, reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. b3 (4 moves).
In 71,274 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.7%, Black 50.5% and 4.8% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…d6, in 71% 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: Steiner Variation
4…g6 scores best for Black: 55.9%, with Black winning 53.3% and White 41.5% of 4,045 games. The most played, 4…d6, scores 53.2% in 50K games, and 4…e6 scores lowest: 49.9%. Stockfish's first choice is 4…d6.
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: Steiner Variation (B02)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-steiner-variation