Alekhine Defense: Welling Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
17,882 games: White 45.9% / Draw 4.6% / Black 49.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 11,29211K | ||
| 2,0322,032 | ||
| 1,4041,404 | ||
| 984984 | ||
| 937937 | ||
| 878878 | ||
| 9999 | ||
| 8484 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.09 The position is about equal
Best play: 3... d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 dxe5 7. Bb2 Nc6 8. Bb5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Alekhine Defense: Welling Variation (ECO B02, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Alekhine Defense: Normal Variation, reached after 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. b3 (3 moves).
In 17,882 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.9%, Black 49.4% and 4.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 3…d6, in 63% 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: Welling Variation
3…g6 scores best for Black: 55.2%, with Black winning 52.2% and White 41.9% of 1,404 games. The most played, 3…d6, scores 52.7% in 11K games, and 3…e6 scores lowest: 48.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 3…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: Welling Variation (B02)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/alekhine-defense-welling-variation