Chess Openings Lab
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Alekhine Defense: Krejcik Variation

The Krejcik Variation is 1.e4 Nf6 2.Bc4, which leaves the e4 pawn hanging in exchange for quick development. Black can simply take it, and White's main follow-up, a bishop sacrifice on f7, regains the material but leaves Black with the two bishops and the better center.

Moves
1.e4 Nf6 2.Bc4
ECO
B02
Engine
−0.86 · a clear edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
937 games in our lichess sample
White scores
45.9%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • If Black takes on e4, the forcing 3.Bxf7+ Kxf7 4.Qh5+ Kg8 5.Qd5+ e6 6.Qxe4 restores material balance.
  • After that sequence Black's king sits on g8 with the h8 rook stuck, so develop fast and try to keep it boxed in.
  • If Black declines with ...Nc6 or ...e5, play d3 and retreat Bb3 when ...d5 hits the bishop.

Black

  • Take the pawn with 2...Nxe4; it is the strongest reply and leaves White scrambling.
  • After 6.Qxe4 untangle with ...d5, ...Bd6 or ...Nc6, and free the h8 rook later with ...h6 and a king step to h7.
  • If you prefer quiet play, 2...e5 or 2...Nc6 followed by ...d5 also gives Black an easy game.

Plans and pawn structure

Black should come out of the Krejcik with the better position. In the main line material is level after 6.Qxe4, but Black owns the two bishops, and ...d5 comes with tempo on the queen. White's only compensation is that Black's king sits on g8 and the h8 rook needs time to join. If Black declines the pawn, the game turns into a quiet Italian-style position where White's bishop on c4 is met by ...d5 or ...c6.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.86: a clear edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.86 2...Nxe4 3.Bxf7+ Kxf7 4.Qh5+ Kg8 5.Qd5+
  2. −0.20 2...Nc6 3.d3 e6 4.Bb3 d5 5.Nd2
  3. −0.04 2...e5 3.d3 c6 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

937 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 45.9%.

under 120046.0%
1200–159950.9%
1600–199940.0%
2000 and up45.0%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Krejcik Variation, Krejcik Gambit2...Nxe4 · rare

How to play against it

Take on e4 without fear. After 3.Bxf7+ Kxf7 4.Qh5+ go to g8 and block the check on d5 with ...e6; the queen regains the knight but Black stands better. Do not walk the king forward to e6 or f6, where White's queen and knights can chase it.

Questions

What are the moves of the Alekhine Defense: Krejcik Variation?

The Alekhine Defense: Krejcik Variation starts 1.e4 Nf6 2.Bc4. Its ECO code is B02.

Is the Alekhine Defense: Krejcik Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.86 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for Black. In 937 lichess games from our sample, White scored 45.9%. Dubious for White and best kept as a blitz surprise; Black only needs to know the 2...Nxe4 3.Bxf7+ sequence to be comfortable.

What is the main idea of the Alekhine Defense: Krejcik Variation?

White develops the bishop to c4 and ignores the attack on e4. If Black grabs the pawn, White regains material with Bxf7+ and a queen tour, but Black keeps the two bishops and the better game.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nxe4, with Nc6 and e5 close behind. 2...Nxe4 wins a pawn, and the forced line after Bxf7+ still leaves Black with two bishops and the better center.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.