Alekhine Defense: The Squirrel
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Statistics from Lichess
64,918 games: White 57.5% / Draw 3.3% / Black 39.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 50,45850K | ||
| 8,8408,840 | ||
| 1,8131,813 | ||
| 1,2901,290 | ||
| 660660 | ||
| 553553 | ||
| 400400 | ||
| 325325 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+2.40 White is clearly better
Best play: 4. d4 Ng6 5. h4 e6 6. Nf3 d6 7. exd6 cxd6 8. h5 Ne7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: The Squirrel (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 Nf4 (3 moves).
In 64,918 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 57.5%, Black 39.2% and 3.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. d4, in 78% 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: The Squirrel
The most played answer, 4. d4, also scores best for White: 61.2%, with White winning 59.6% and Black 37.2% of 50K games. Of the main answers, 4. g3 scores lowest: 51.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. d4.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White'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: The Squirrel (B02)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-the-squirrel