Chess Openings Lab
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Alekhine Defense: Normal Variation

The Normal Variation of the Alekhine is 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5, the standard reply where the knight jumps to the center. White now decides how far to chase it with c4 and d4; Black waits for the pawns to advance, then hits them with ...d6.

Moves
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5
ECO
B02
Engine
+0.66 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,372 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 3.c4 Nb6 4.d4 for the Two Pawns setup, gaining time on the knight while building a wide center.
  • Or start with 3.d4, keeping options between c4, f4 and a calm Nf3 later.
  • 3.Nf3 is the quietest move: develop first and push c4 only when the knight on d5 has to answer it.

Black

  • Meet c4 with ...Nb6, the retreat that keeps an eye on c4 and d5.
  • Hit e5 with ...d6 as soon as d4 is played; the pawn on e5 is the base of White's space.
  • After exd6, choose ...exd6 for easy development or ...cxd6 for a sharper fight with more central pawns.

Plans and pawn structure

Every main Alekhine line runs through this position. The bigger White's center, the more Black's play revolves around ...d6, ...Nc6, ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 and breaks like ...c5. With a smaller center from Nf3, play is calmer and White aims for a lasting space edge. Black's knight usually ends up on b6, so a key theme is whether it can return to the action via d7 or d5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.66: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.66 3.c4 Nb6 4.d4 d6 5.exd6 exd6
  2. +0.60 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 exd6
  3. +0.50 3.Nf3 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.exd6 exd6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,372 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.5%.

under 120060.0%
1200–159952.0%
1600–199947.3%
2000 and up47.7%

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

Where it goes next

  • Two Pawns Attack3.c4 · 2,525 games
  • Sämisch Attack3.Nc3 · 537 games
  • O'Sullivan Gambit3.d4 · 239 games
  • Buckley Attack3.Na3 · rare
  • Welling Variation3.b3 · rare
  • Hunt Variation, Mikenas Gambit3.c4 · rare
  • Four Pawns Attack, Tartakower Variation3.d4 · rare
  • Kmoch Variation3.Bc4 · rare

How to play against it

Do not chase the knight with pawns unless you will support them. The simple plan is d4 plus c4 or Nf3, then development. Avoid early queen trips and moves like Bc4 that let Black gain more time with ...Nb6. A small center you can hold beats a big one you cannot.

Questions

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

The Alekhine Defense: Normal Variation starts 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5. Its ECO code is B02.

Is the Alekhine Defense: Normal Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.66 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 2,372 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.5%. Both sides get a rich game here; White needs a clear system and Black needs patience with a knight that will be pushed around.

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

This is the starting point of most Alekhine lines. White decides how much space to grab with c4, d4 or even f4, and Black plans to undermine the advanced pawns with ...d6 and piece pressure.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is c4, with d4 and Nf3 close behind. 3.c4 drives the knight again, gaining time and space before d4 completes the center.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.