Chess Openings Lab
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Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation

The Modern Variation is 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3, where White develops a knight instead of chasing with c4. White keeps a broad center with less risk; Black tries to trade off e5 or pin the f3 knight to weaken d4.

Moves
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3
ECO
B04
Engine
+0.49 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,565 games in our lichess sample
White scores
47.9%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 4...dxe5 recapture 5.Nxe5; the knight on e5 is a strong outpost that eyes f7 and d7.
  • Develop with Be2 and short castling, then add c4 to drive the d5 knight when it suits you.
  • Against ...Bg4, h3 asks the bishop to decide, and c4 with Be2 keeps the center flexible.
  • Against ...Bf5, trade bishops with Bd3, as in the third engine line.

Black

  • 4...dxe5 5.Nxe5 c6 builds a shell with no weak pawns; follow with ...Bf5 and ...Nd7 to challenge the e5 knight.
  • 4...g6 aims a bishop at d4 after ...Bg7, often with ...Nb6 once White plays c4.
  • The pin ...Bg4 on the f3 knight takes a defender from d4, and ...e6 with ...c6 keeps the d5 knight safe.

Plans and pawn structure

The center is smaller than in the Four Pawns, so White's space edge is steady rather than huge. White usually plays c4 at a moment that gains time, castles short and often uses h3 against a bishop on g4. Black trades on e5 to remove the spearhead, then fights for e5 and d4 with ...Nd7, ...Bf5 or ...Bg4, and ...c6. If the e5 knight is challenged and traded, Black's position becomes very sturdy.

Where the engine's main line heads: White pawn d4, no e-pawns for White, no d-pawn for Black. White has a pawn on d4 and no e-pawn; Black has no d-pawn. White has more central space; Black's pieces are free and the d4 pawn is a target.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.49: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.49 4...dxe5 5.Nxe5 c6 6.Be2 Bf5 7.O-O
  2. +0.53 4...g6 5.c4 Nb6 6.exd6 cxd6 7.Nc3
  3. +0.59 4...Bf5 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 dxe5 7.dxe5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,565 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.9%.

under 120058.1%
1200–159951.8%
1600–199944.2%
2000 and up48.9%

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

Where it goes next

  • Modern Variation, Keres Variation4...g6 · rare
  • Modern Variation, Larsen Variation4...dxe5 · rare
  • Modern Variation, Larsen-Haakert Variation4...Nc6 · rare
  • Modern Variation, Schmid Variation4...Nb6 · rare
  • Modern Variation, Vitolins Attack4...Bg4 · rare

How to play against it

Choose a clear setup: 4...dxe5 with ...c6 and ...Bf5 for a safe, compact setup, or 4...g6 for a fianchetto against d4. Do not let the d5 knight be kicked around without purpose. If White's knight lands on e5, challenge it with ...Nd7 instead of leaving it there.

Questions

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

The Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation starts 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3. Its ECO code is B04.

Is the Alekhine Defense: Modern Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.49 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,565 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.9%. A sound, low-risk choice for positional White players; Black needs a clear plan with either the ...dxe5 or the ...Bg4 setup.

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

White guards the center with pieces rather than pawns, choosing development over space. Black tries to undermine it with ...dxe5, ...c6 and ...Bf5, or with ...Bg4 pinning the knight that holds d4 and e5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is dxe5, with g6 and Bf5 close behind. 4...dxe5 removes the advanced pawn so the knight must recapture, and ...c6 then gives the d5 knight solid support.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.