Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack, Mikenas Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
9,801 games: White 47.8% / Draw 5.6% / Black 46.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,8175,817 | ||
| 2,5812,581 | ||
| 657657 | ||
| 238238 | ||
| 164164 | ||
| 103103 | ||
| 8080 | ||
| 7676 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.47 White is slightly better
Best play: 7. Nxd5 exd5 8. Bxd5 Be7 9. Qb3 O-O 10. cxd6 cxd6 11. Nf3 Nc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack, Mikenas Variation (ECO B02, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Lasker Simul Gambit, reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nc3 d6 (6 moves).
In 9,801 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.8%, Black 46.6% and 5.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. cxd6, in 59% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Alekhine Defense: Hunt Variation, Mikenas Gambit.
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How to play against the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack, Mikenas Variation
7. Nxd5 scores best for White: 55.5%, with White winning 52.8% and Black 41.7% of 2,581 games. The most played, 7. cxd6, scores 49.1% in 5,817 games, and 7. exd6 scores lowest: 47.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. Nxd5.
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
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack, Mikenas Variation (B02)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-two-pawns-attack-mikenas-variation