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Alekhine Defense: all variations and ECO codes

56 named lines across 4 ECO codes (B02–B05). Source: the CC0-licensed lichess.org opening database.

The idea

Black invites White’s central pawns to advance rather than avoiding the confrontation, betting that a pawn chain pushed too far becomes a long-term target instead of a lasting space advantage. It’s the boldest of Black’s replies to 1.e4: after 2.e5 kicks the knight, Black keeps hopping it around (to d5, then often b6) while chipping away at the very pawns that chased it, rather than settling for a calmer defensive setup from the first move.

The main line

Position after 1.e4 Nf6 (B02). Open this line on Lichess → · Alekhine Defense on Lichess

How the main line scores at your rating

Real Lichess win rates for 1.e4 Nf6, playing as black: the family’s other variations are not separately tracked for win rate yet, main line only.

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Win/draw/loss rate by rating band
Rating bandGamesWhite / draw / BlackScore for black
1400-1600945Not enough games at this band yet.
1600-1800 1,279 White/draw/black: 48.2% / 4.2% / 47.5% 48.2% / 4.2% / 47.5% 49.6%
1800-2000 1,638 White/draw/black: 47.7% / 4.1% / 48.2% 47.7% / 4.1% / 48.2% 50.2%
2000+ 1,683 White/draw/black: 46.8% / 6.4% / 46.9% 46.8% / 6.4% / 46.9% 50.1%

All 56 named variations

Every named line in the Alekhine Defense family, from the CC0-licensed ECO classification: not separately tracked for win rate, but every ECO code and move sequence is real, sourced data.

Browse more

ECO Volume B: Semi-Open Games (other than the French Defense) → · All ECO families → · Search and play every line in the interactive explorer →

Related

Caro-Kann Defense

110 named lines, ECO B10

King’s Pawn Game

38 named lines, ECO B00

Modern Defense

39 named lines, ECO A04