Alekhine Defense: what should White play?

The Alekhine Defense, classified under ECO code B02, occurs after White plays e4 and Black responds with Nf6. In this position, the most theoretically critical and popular continuation for White is e5, which is played in 43.1% of recorded games and carries an engine evaluation of +0.68. This move immediately challenges the f6 and forces Black to commit to a specific defensive structure, typically leading to the main line e5 Nd5 d4 d6 c4 Nb6.

The primary continuation: e5

The move e5 is the most ambitious choice, as it gains space in the center and forces the Black knight to move for a second time. Statistics from over 37 million recorded games show that White scores 51.0% from this position. By advancing the pawn to e5, White establishes a spatial advantage that Black must immediately undermine, usually by attacking the pawn chain with moves like d6. This leads to sharp, asymmetrical positions where White possesses more territory while Black attempts to prove that the advanced pawns are overextended.

Positional alternatives: Nc3 and d3

If White prefers to avoid the theoretical complexities of the main line, Nc3 is a highly popular alternative, appearing in 30.3% of games. This move carries an engine evaluation of +0.10 and often transposes into other openings, such as the Vienna Game or the Four Knights Game, following the sequence Nc3 e5 Nf3 Nc6 d4 exd4. Another solid but less aggressive option is d3, played in 6.8% of games with an evaluation of +0.00. This move protects the e4 without forcing immediate confrontation, often leading to the line d3 e5 f4 exf4 Bxf4 Nc6.

Rare and offbeat responses

Lower-ranking engine moves include Bd3 and Qe2, which are played in 0.4% and 0.2% of games respectively. These moves are generally considered suboptimal as they block the development of other pieces or place the queen prematurely. For instance, Bd3 carries a negative evaluation of -0.20, as it obstructs the d2 and limits White's control over the center. While these moves may offer surprise value in blitz or casual play, they are rarely seen at the master level compared to the 69 million games recorded in the broader database for this position.